ETHICAL SYSTEM
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In your own words, describe an ethical system. Choose three major ethical systems and explain the essential characteristics of each system. Compare and contrast the systems.
A moral system is a relative term which is defined and measured against values accepted in a social system. An ethical system is an umbrella phrase to explain a range of human emotions and intuitions about social cooperation (Crowley, 2017). An ethical system is an elaboration of essential social responses such as perceived sex variations, maintenance of in-group/outgroup boundary, reactions to harm, fairness and empathy. Generally, ethical systems can be categorized into three classifications: virtue-based, deontological, and teleological ethics.
Deontology ethical system
Deontology ethical systems argue that human beings should follow the rules and their responsibilities. A deontological ethical system is characterized majorly by a concentration on compliance with independent ethical duties or rules (Nobus, 2017). People have to comprehend what their moral obligations are and what right guidelines exist that regulate those responsibilities to make the right ethical decisions. Human beings behave ethically when they follow their duties. Deontological moral systems can various religions, in which people follow the duties and laws that are said to have been created by the church or God.
Teleological ethical systems
Teleological ethical systems argue that people should be concerned about the consequences of their choices. A teleological ethical system is attributed chiefly by concentration on the consequences that actions could have. People have to have some understandings of what shall result from their decisions to make the right ethical decisions (Crowley, 2017). One is acting ethically when they make decisions that lead to the right consequences. Then, people are acting unethically when they make decisions that lead to the wrong consequences. The problems originate in establishing the right consequences when actions can generate a range of results. There may also be tendencies of adopting attitudes of the ends justifying the means.
Virtue ethics
Virtue-based ethical systems place much focus on assisting people in developing good character traits like generosity and kindness. They place much less focus on which laws and regulations people need to follow (Nobus, 2017). In turn, these character traits enable people to make the right choices later on in life. Also, virtue theorists concentrate on the needs of human beings to learn how to stop wrong behaviours of character, such as anger or greed. These are known as vices and stand in ways of becoming good people.
Describe the learning theory and social learning theory. How do these theories attempt to explain individual differences in ethical behaviour? Which one do you agree with the most? Why or why not?
Learning theory is the social behaviour and learning process theory that suggests that new conducts may be acquired through viewing and copying other people (Crowley, 2017). It argues that learning is intellectual processes that can take place through direct instructions or observations and occur in social contexts, even in the direct reinforcement of motor reproduction absence. Also, learning takes place through the observations of punishments and rewards in addition to the behaviour observation. If specific behaviours are regularly punished, they shall most likely desist. When certain behaviours are frequently rewarded, they shall be most likely to persist. The theories expand on traditional behaviour models, where behaviours are solely governed by reinforcement, by putting the focus on the vital duties of different internal processes in the learning individuals. No matter how much knowledge we gather, people are only going to remember the ones who touched their hearts.
List the six stages of Kohlberg’s individual moral development. According to Kohlberg, what stage are you in and describe why you are in that stage. Were there particular events that helped you progress from each stage to the next? Provide specific details.
Kohlberg’s theory is cognitive and concentrates on the thinking processes that occur when a person decides whether behaviours are wrong or right (Crowley, 2017). The outline of Kohlberg’s model comprises of six phases organized successively in complexity successive tiers. They include pre-conventional stage (include obedience and punishment orientations and instrumental purpose orientations), conventional stage (nice girl and good boy orientations and law and order orientations), principled or post-conventional stage, social contract orientations, and universal moral standard orientations. Morality is externally managed at the pre-conventional levels. To receive rewards or avoid punishments, rules imposed by figures of power are conformed (Nobus, 2017). Conformities to social rules remain vital to individuals at conventional levels. The focus, however, changes to relationships from self-interests with social systems and other people.
The individuals move beyond the perspectives of their society at the post-conventional level. Ethics is described in term of abstract values and principles that apply to all societies and situations. Rights of individuals determine behaviours in social contact orientation. The individuals view rules and laws as flexible instruments for enhancing social purposes. That is, there are exceptions to laws given the right situations. Universal ethical orientations are the highest level of functioning, according to Kohlberg (Nobus, 2017). At this level, one’s self-selected moral standards of consciences determine the right actions. These standards are universal and abstract in applications. According to Kohlberg, I am in the conventional where I strive to reinforce regulations that are established by other people like government, parents, and peers to maintain social orders or win their approvals. Social approvals, laws and rules determine my behaviours. I want to win and maintain the approval and affection of other people by being the right person. I take into considerations the broader perspectives of societal rules. Ethical decision-making has become more than considerations of close ties to me. I believe that laws and rules preserve social orders that are worth maintaining (Crowley, 2017). There is no particular event that has helped me progress from each stage to the next, even though people around me have been so influential in my progress from one stage to another.
References
Crowley, J. (2017). Society as an ethical system. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 30(1), 36-46.
Nobus, D. (2017). A New Ethical System. The Law of Desire (pp. 1-8). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.