seminar 9+10 Flashcards
What are moral dilemmas?
Moral dilemmas are situations where an individual faces conflicting moral values or choices that are hard to reconcile, forcing them to make decisions based on their values.
How does the deontological perspective view morality?
The deontological perspective is rule-based, focusing on the morality of actions themselves, regardless of consequences. Certain actions are considered morally required or forbidden based on intrinsic duties.
How does the utilitarian perspective view morality?
The utilitarian perspective is consequence-based, focusing on maximizing the greatest good for the greatest number of people. The right action is the one that produces the most benefit or happiness.
What is the core assumption of Moral Foundations Theory (Haidt & Joseph, 2004)?
Moral Foundations Theory suggests that humans have innate, evolved mechanisms that shape our moral judgments, which are further shaped by cultural influences.
What is Moral Foundations Theory (Haidt & Joseph, 2004)?
Moral Foundations Theory suggests that moral judgments are shaped by innate, evolved mechanisms and identifies five core moral foundations that form the basis of ethical beliefs, which are influenced by culture.
What are the core assumptions of Moral Foundations Theory?
Innate character (nativism)
Cultural learning
Morality is based on intuition/automatic processes
Value pluralism
What does the “innate character” assumption in Moral Foundations Theory propose?
Humans have a biologically based predisposition to develop moral values and behaviors, shaped by evolutionary challenges like protecting the group or cooperating.
How does cultural learning influence moral foundations?
While moral foundations are innate, cultural practices and societal challenges modify and shape these principles differently across societies (e.g., respect for the elderly or food consumption norms).
What does Moral Foundations Theory say about the role of intuition in moral decisions?
Moral decisions are often based on intuitive, quick, automatic judgments of right and wrong, rather than deliberate reasoning.
What are the five moral foundations identified by Moral Foundations Theory?
Care/Harm
Fairness/Cheating
Loyalty/Betrayal
Authority/Subversion
Sanctity/Degradation
How does the “care/harm” foundation influence moral judgments?
This foundation connects moral judgments to perceptions of suffering and motivates individuals to protect vulnerable people and empathize with others in distress.
What does the “fairness/cheating” foundation focus on in moral decision-making?
This foundation is sensitive to fairness in the distribution of resources or benefits, emphasizing equity, reciprocity, and an aversion to cheating or injustice.
How does Dual Process Theory of Morality explain moral decision-making?
Dual Process Theory proposes two cognitive systems: a fast, emotional, intuitive system that leads to deontological judgments, and a slower, reasoned, controlled system that leads to utilitarian judgments.
What is the role of the automatic system in moral decision-making?
The automatic system is fast, emotional, and intuitive, often leading to deontological moral judgments, such as adhering to duties and rules based on quick emotional responses.
How do deontological and utilitarian moral decisions differ in brain activity?
Deontological decisions involve areas associated with emotional regulation and moral judgment (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex), while utilitarian decisions engage areas related to cognitive reasoning and planning (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex).
