Engineeri

ng Ethics

Lecture-05
UNIT-II: Moral Reasoning and Frameworks

• Introducing Moral Frameworks

• Utilitarianism and its Types
• Right-Wrong or Better-worst
• Rights Ethics
• Duty Ethics
• Virtue ethics
• Self-Realization and Self-Interest
• Ethical Egoism
• Ethics and Design.
• Kohlberg’s theory
• Gilligans theory
• Discussion Questions
Self-Realization
Self-realization in ethics is the pursuit of personal fulfillment
and the alignment of one's actions with deeply held values,
beliefs, and aspirations.

• It emphasizes personal growth and purpose-driven ethical

behavior, where individuals act in ways that reflect their true
selves.

• For example: An engineer, passionate about sustainable

technology, focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions.
They find deep fulfillment and a sense of purpose in
contributing to environmental well-being, aligning their
professional work with personal values.
 Self-realization has two versions, depending on how the
self (the person) is conceived.

1.In a community-oriented version, it means growing as a person

while valuing and supporting relationships and the community. It
supports self-fulfillment in a way that also benefits others

2.In contrast ethical egoism focuses on individualism, stating that

people should act in their self-interest.
Self-Interest
Self-interest in ethics refers to the ethical perspective that
individuals are motivated to act in ways that promote their own
well-being, happiness, or personal fulfillment.

• It suggests that ethical actions are ultimately driven by decisions

based on what is perceived to be advantageous for themselves.

Example: An engineer takes on high-profile projects to gain

promotions and higher salaries. While their work benefits the
company, their primary motivation is career advancement and
financial gain.
 Motives of Self-
Interest
• Individuals, including professionals like engineers, have various motives, and these
motives can be broadly categorized into three types:

1. Proficiency Motives focus on striving for excellence by meeting the technical

standards of a profession and the desire to excel in one's field.

2. Compensation Motives are related to social rewards such as income, power,

recognition, and job or career stability. While these motives are generally
considered self-interested, people may seek financial rewards for reasons beyond
personal gain, such as benefiting family members or helping others in need.

3. Moral Motives are the desire to fulfill responsibilities, respect others' rights, and
contribute to their well-being, emphasizing self-respect and the equal moral
worth of all individuals.
Ethical Egoism
Ethical egoism is rooted in the idea that individuals
should prioritize their own well-being and interests as the
primary justification for their actions.

• According to it moral decision-making should be guided

entirely by self-interest.

• Self-interest, within the framework of ethical egoism, is

defined as a pursuit of long-term well-being and
fulfillment, rather than short-sighted and fleeting
pleasures.
 Ethical Egoism Psychological Egoism

This theory suggests that people are

This moral theory says people should always motivated by self-interest, even
always act in their own self-interest. when their actions seem selfless.

An action is considered morally right if it It claims that every action is driven by

benefits oneself, regardless of the what individuals believe will benefit
consequences for others. them.

Example: Choosing a job offer that Example: Volunteering at a charity event

maximizes personal benefits, regardless to feel good about oneself rather than
of its impact on others. purely to help others.
 Levels of Moral Stages Included in
Development Age This Level
Kohlberg’s Theory Stage 1:
Obedience and
Preconventional 0 to 9 punishment
Morality Stage 2:
Individualism and
exchange
American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of Stage 3:
Developing good
moral development is a psychological theory that Early interpersonal
Conventional adolescence
outlines stages of moral reasoning individuals Morality to
relationships
Stage 4:
progress through as they mature. adulthood Maintaining social
order
Stage 5: Social
• It focuses on how children learn to understand right Post
Some
contract and
conventional individual rights
from wrong and make moral decisions. Morality adults; rare stage 6: Universal
principles

• Kohlberg's theory outlines six stages of moral

development within three different levels.
 Level 1: Pre-conventional level
• At this level, morality is externally controlled. People follow rules set by authority
figures to avoid punishment or gain rewards.

 Stage 1: Punishment/obedience orientation

• Behaviour is determined by consequences.
• At this stage, individuals focus on avoiding punishment. They obey rules to avoid consequences.

 Stage 2 - Individualism and Exchange:

• People make moral choices based on what benefits them the most.
• They weigh the advantages and disadvantages of their actions, focusing on personal gain and
immediate satisfaction.

Kohlberg’s
Theory
 Level 2. Conventional Morality
• In this stage individuals accept social rules about what is right and wrong.
• Adolescents and adults adopt the moral standards they’ve learned from role models and society.

 Stage 3 - Interpersonal Relationships:

• At this stage the moral development is focused on living up to social expectations and roles.
• Individuals seek approval from others.
• They adhere to rules to maintain relationships and conform to social norms.

• Stage 4 - Maintaining Social Order:

• Individuals prioritize societal laws and rules. They understand the importance of
maintaining social order and fulfilling duties to society.
• The focus is on maintaining law and order by following the rules, doing one’s duty, and
respecting authority.
Kohlberg’s
Theory
 Level 3. Post-conventional Morality
At this stage, people gain an understanding of deeper, conceptual principles of
morality, such as justice and equality.

 Stage 5 - Social Contract and Individual Rights:

• At this stage people begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other
people and question societal norms and laws.
• They recognize that different societies have different perspectives and that laws should be upheld
if they are just and fair.

 Stage 6 - Universal Principles:

• At this final stage, individuals develop their own set of moral principles based on universal ethics.
• They act according to self-chosen ethical principles, even if they conflict with societal norms or
laws.

Kohlberg’s
Theory
• Kohlberg's theory suggests that individuals
progress through these stages sequentially, with
higher stages indicating greater moral maturity and
complexity.

• However, not everyone reaches the highest stages,

and progression may be influenced by factors such
as culture, education, and life experiences.
 • Psychologist Carol Gilligan proposed an alternative

Gilligans to Lawrence Kohlberg’s moral development theory,

emphasizing that males and females approach
moral issues differently.
Theory Gilligan's theory suggests that individuals,
particularly females, tend to approach moral
dilemmas with a focus on care, relationships, and
responsibilities, as opposed to Kohlberg's emphasis
on justice and rights.

• She argued that Kohlberg’s research, mainly based

on males, did not fully represent female moral
reasoning.
• Gilligan named her theory the Ethics of Care, which
she suggests happens in three stages.
1. Preconventional Morality: Focuses on individual
needs. A woman prioritizes her self-interest but
gradually recognizes her responsibility toward
others.

2. Conventional Morality of Care: Women begin to

prioritize care, relationships, and responsibility
towards others and base their moral judgments on
maintaining relationships, being responsible, and
avoiding harm to others. They strive to balance
their own needs with those of others.

3. Postconventional Morality of Nonviolence:

Moral decisions are guided by nonviolence and
universal care. Women acknowledge the equal
importance of their needs and others, addressing
broader issues of justice and inequality.