Moral psychology is studied in both psychology and philosophy, with psychology focusing on the development of moral beliefs and reasoning, and philosophy examining questions of morality and motivation. Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning in stages has been criticized but also credited with introducing a new field of psychology. Classical philosophy was centered on moral […]
Moral authority is the basis for creating and interpreting laws, but it can be complex in societies with different views on morality. In theocracy, religious leaders have moral authority, while in sectarian governments, it comes from the people’s vote. The US started with laws based on Christian philosophy but expanded voting rights. Moral authority is […]
Good moral character is a legal requirement in the US for various purposes, including granting citizenship and professional licenses. Committing crimes of moral turpitude, such as fraud and drug trafficking, can result in denial of citizenship or disbarment for lawyers. Maintaining good moral character is crucial for those seeking to practice law or become US […]
Moral panic is a social phenomenon where a large group of people feel that a social norm or aspect of safety is threatened. It has existed before the term was coined by Stanley Cohen in the 1960s, and is often fueled by media coverage. Moral panic can lead to tragic consequences, such as attacks on […]
“Moral rights” refer to inherent rights held by all humans or reserved for creators of art in copyright law. These rights may not be universally enforced and include the right to attribution and the right to protect the integrity of the work. The term “moral rights” is used in two different ways in law. The […]
Moral suasion is a persuasion technique that appeals to ethics and morality to influence entities to adhere to specific policies or procedures, often used by governments to influence financial institutions. It can take various forms, including private meetings, inspections, and public appeals, but can also involve veiled threats. While it can be abused, it can […]
Moral theology is the study of religious laws and codes to govern practitioners of a religion. Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and Jews practice moral theology to live righteous lives and gain God’s favor. Catholic moral theology involves attending mass, taking communion, and following the Ten Commandments. Protestants use moral theology for evangelism and to […]
Moral reasoning involves objectively deciding right and wrong actions, considering intent, consequences, and individual, economic, or ethical choices. It has four components: sensitivity, judgment, motivation, and character. Cultural and religious influences can affect moral reasoning. Rules provide premises for moral syllogisms, but exceptions must be considered. Understanding the environment and goals is crucial for effective […]
Moral relativism is the belief that morality is relative and people should follow their conscience, while moral objectivism holds that there is an objective morality. The two positions have caused wars, but conflicts between different objective moralities are more common. Moral relativists believe in a moral code, but not universally applicable. Partial relativism is possible, […]
Moral philosophy studies human ethics and includes metaethics, practical ethics, and applied ethics. Metaethics examines how people determine right from wrong and the origins of morality. Practical ethics establishes rules for ethical behavior, while applied ethics applies normative moral philosophy to specific situations. Moral philosophy refers to the philosophical theories concerning human ethics. An area […]
Moral realism is the belief that there are objective moral facts that can be acted upon. Anti-realists oppose this view and believe that moral statements are based on personal beliefs and emotions. To determine if a moral claim is true, moral realists evaluate its real-world relationships and perform a cost-benefit analysis. The validity of each […]
