Theories on moral autonomy

Theories on moral autonomy:Kohlbergs Theory and Gilligans Theory

1. Theories on Moral Autonomy Professional Ethics Unit-II Shaik Nagur Shareef 161FA04195 CSE-III C

2. Area’s of Discussion Moral Morality Moral Reasons Moral Dilemma Moral Autonomy Skills for Improving Moral Autonomy Moral Development Theories Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory Carol Gilligan’s Theory Comparison of Kohlberg’s & Gilligan’s Theories 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 2

3. Moral It is concerned with the principles of right or wrong Behavior and Character. 8/16/2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 3

4. Morality The term ‘Morality’ concerns with What ought or ought not to be done in a given situation? What is right or wrong in handling it? What is good or bad about the persons, policies and principles involved in it? If an action is said to be morally right it should had some moral reasons 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 4

5. Moral Reasons Moral Reasons Include Respecting others and ourselves Respecting the rights of others Keeping promises Avoiding unnecessary problems to others Avoiding cheating and dishonesty Showing gratitude to others and encourage them to work 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 5

6. Moral Dilemma Dilemma is a kind of Situation in which difficult choice has to be made. An Ambiguous Situation that makes a Person to make Moral Decision. Moral dilemmas are the situations in which two or more moral obligations, duties, rights, goods or ideals come into disagreement with each other. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 6

7. Situations of Moral Dilemmas Problems of Vagueness Problems of Conflicting Reasons Problems of Disagreement 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 7

8. Steps in Configuring Moral Dilemmas The relevant moral factors and the reasons are to be identified. What are the conflicting responsibilities, rights and ideas involved? All the available facts that are relevant to the moral fact involved are to be gathered. The moral considerations in order of importance as they are applied to the situations, are to be marked. Alternative courses of action to solve the dilemmas are to be considered. The discussion may be had with colleagues seeking their suggestion. A reasonable judgement by weighing all the relevant moral factors and reasons based on the facts, is to be arrived at carefully. This is most difficult part of it. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 8

9. Moral Autonomy Autonomy means self-governing or self-determining i.e. act independently. Moral autonomy is concerned with the independent attitude of a person related to ethical issues. Moral Autonomy means the skill and habit of thinking rationally about Ethical Issues, based on Moral Bindings. It helps to improve the self-determination among the individuals. Autonomous individuals think for themselves and do not assume that customs are always right. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 9

10. Skills for Improving Moral Autonomy The engineers must have the ability to distinguish and relate the moral problems with the problems of law, economics, religions ,principles etc. They must possess (have) the skills of understanding, clarifying and assessing the arguments which are against the moral issues. They must have the ability to suggest the solutions to moral issues, on the basis of facts. These suggestions must be consistent and must include all the aspects of the problem. They must have the Sensitivity to genuine difficulties and delicate issues. They must have the imaginative skill to view the problems from all view points and also be able to suggest a proper alternative solution. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 10

11. Theories on Moral Autonomy Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory Pre Conventional Conventional Post Conventional Carol Gilligan’s Theory Pre Conventional Conventional Post Conventional 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 11

12. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory Moral Autonomy is based on the psychology of moral development. The first psychological theory was developed by Jean Piaget On the basis of Piaget’s theory, Lawrence Kohlberg developed three main levels of moral development which is based on the kinds of reasoning and motivation adopted by individuals with regard to moral questions Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 16-08-2018 12

13. Pre Conventional Level It is nothing but self-centered attitude. In this level, right conduct is very essential for an individual which directly benefits him According to this level, individuals are directly motivated by their willingness to avoid punishment, or by their desire to satisfy their own needs This level is related to the moral development of children and some adults who never want to go beyond a certain limit. Example : I f a child reasoning at a ‘pre-conventional’ level might say that it is not right to steal because it is against law and someone might see you. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 13

14. Conventional Level As per this level the rules and norms of one’s family or group or society has been accepted as the final standard of morality. When individuals are under this level, always want to satisfy others and also to meet the expectations of the society and not their self interest. Individuals at this level are motivated by desire to please others and they try to meet the expectations of others. No adult tries to go beyond this level. Example : At a ‘conventional’ level, an individual might argue that it is not right to steal because it is against law and laws are necessary for society to function. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 14

15. Post Conventional Level As per this level follow Golden Rule “Do to Others as you expect others to do you” This level is said to be attained when an individual recognizes the right and the wrong on the basis of a set of principles which governing rights and the general good which are not based on self- interest or social conventions. These individuals are called “autonomous”, because they only think for themselves and also they do not agree that customs are always correct. They want to live by general principles which are universally applied to all people. Example : At a ‘post conventional’ level, one may argue that stealing is wrong because is against law and it is immoral. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 15

16. Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is very much related to the goals of studying ethics at college level Moral responsibility comes out of the foundation of early moral training given by an individual’s parents and culture. As per Kohlberg’s view only few people would reach the post conventional level 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 16

17. Criticisms on Kohlberg’s Theory The dilemmas are artificial  Kohlberg’s subjects were aged between 10 and 16. They have never been married, and never been placed in a situation remotely like the one in the story. The sample is biased According to Gilligan (1977), because Kohlberg’s theory was based on an all-male sample, the stages reflect a male definition of morality The dilemmas are hypothetical (i.e. they are not real) In a real situation, what course of action a person takes will have real consequences – and sometimes very unpleasant ones for themselves. Poor research design 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 17

18. Carol Gilligan’s Theory According to Gilligan’s Theory there are more men interested in trying to solve Moral Problems by applying Moral Principles by determining most Important Moral rule. Women Professionals try to Preserve Personal Relation ship with all the people involved in the situation. They focus and gather attention on the context in which dilemma arises rather than calling for help and trying to solve as per Moral Rule. “Ram’s Dilemma” Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 16-08-2018 18

19. Carol Gilligan’s Theory Pre-conventional Level This is the same as Kohlberg’s first level in that the person is preoccupied with self centered reasoning, caring for the needs and desires of self. Conventional Here the thinking is opposite in that, one is preoccupied with not hurting others and a willingness to sacrifice one’s own interests in order to help or nurture others (or retain friendship). Post-conventional Level Achieved through context-oriented reasoning, rather than by applying abstract rules ranked in a hierarchy of importance. Here the individual becomes able to strike a reasoned balance between caring about other people and pursuing one’s own self-interest while exercising one’s rights. 16-08-2018 Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 19

20. Carol Gilligan ’s Model 16-08-2018 Feels Kohlberg’s model is based on an ethic of individual rights and justice , which is a more common perspective for males Gilligan’s model of women’s moral development is based on an ethic of care and responsibility . However, when subjects are carefully matched, there do not seem to be systematic gender differences in moral reasoning Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 20

21. Kohlberg’s Theory vs Carol Gilligan’s Theory Shaik Nagur Shareef (161FA04195) 16-08-2018 21 Kohlberg’s Theory Gilligan’s Theory Is based on the study on men. Is based on the study on men and women Men give importance to moral rule. Women always want to keep up the personal relationships with all the persons involved in the situations. Ethics of rules and rights. Women give attention to circumstances leading to critical situations rather than rules:(context-oriented and ethics of care)

22. Thank You