fundamental ideas in philosophy
...s been found to be an effective means of improving our skill at moral reasoning”(pg. 72). There are five steps for resolving moral dilemmas. 1) Describe the facts. Describe the dilemma without the use of emotional or bias language. This may reveal what was thought to be a moral dilemma was not that at all. If it is proceed to step two. 2) List relevant moral principles and sentiments. Decide which moral values are actually in conflict. “Our relationships with the people involved and our individual temperaments and circumstances all affect how much weight we give to each of the conflicting moral values”(pg. 72). 3) List possible courses of action. This is the time to brainstorm any possible ideas for actions that come to mind. Some ideas that don’t seem possible to work may be able to when combined with others. 4) Devise a plan of action. Your chosen course of action should cater to the largest possible number of moral concerns. Always have a back up plan just incase that first doesn’t work. 5) Carry out the plan of action. This is self-explanatory. 3.) Behaviorists believe that you are a product of your environment. There are three main factors that form or shape your conscience. 1) Heredity and biological factors. These are innate; you are born with this moral capacity or moral disposition. Psychopaths lack this. 2) Learning and environmental factors. These increase your moral capacity. Examples are family, church, community, school etc. 3) Conscious moral direction. This is autonomous moral reasoning (self rule or self legislation). The exercise of your moral direction develops through your actions. Aristotle believes in habituation. If you practice good actions you will do good out of habit and if you practice bad you will do bad out of habit. Your conscience can be broken down into affective (moral sentiments; emotions and feelings) and cognitive (rational) components. Affective: -Sympathy= with emotion -Compassion= active form of sympathy -Helpers high= behave justly without expectations -Indignation= moral outrage when others are injured -Resentment= moral outrage when personally injured -Presentiment= occurs when resentment is not reflected, it is redirected -Guilt= results from violation of moral norm -Shame= results from violation of social norm 4.) “Civil disobedience involves the refusal to obey certain government laws for the purpose of trying to bring about a change in legislation or government policy”(pg. 160). Since natural Law is based upon a power greater than humans it is necessary that we remain consistent with it. Human or cultural laws sometimes conflict with Natural Law (availability of rights based upon ethnic background etc.). In cases like th...