Moral reasoning applies critical analysis to specific events to determine what is right or wrong,

and what people ought to do in a particular situation. Both philosophers and psychologists study
moral reasoning.

How we make day-to-day decisions like “What should I wear?” is similar to how we make moral
decisions like “Should I lie or tell the truth?” The brain processes both in generally the same way.

Moral reasoning typically applies logic and moral theories, such as deontology or utilitarianism,
to specific situations or dilemmas. However, people are not especially good at moral reasoning.
Indeed, the term moral dumbfounding describes the fact that people often reach strong moral
conclusions that they cannot logically defend.
50 minutes ago
Junvy Abordo
Moral reasoning is a thinking process with the objective of determining whether an idea is right
or wrong.

To know whether something is "right" or "wrong" one must first know what that something is
intended to accomplish. Thus, to know if "this direction" is the right direction to follow to get to a
coffee shop, one must first know where one is, where the coffee shop is, and the terrain between
here and there (to avoid blocks, etc).

Or, to know if this action is the right action to take, one must know what one wants to
accomplish, where one is, and the environment between here and the accomplished state (for
example, to impress my boss, I have to know what is likely to impress him/her, what I, myself, can
do at the work-place or where he/she would observe, etc).
49 minutes ago
Junvy Abordo
Therefore, moral reasoning can not be correctly performed until what is sought and the
surrounding world-wide environment is fully understood. An example: is it "right" to use fetal
stem cells? Only by first deciding "what" the use is intended to accomplish and if the way of
accomplishing this is understood could such a question be answered. This is discussed in Thinking
And Moral Problems [[1]]
Moral reasoning, also known as moral development, is a study in psychologythat overlaps with
moral philosophy. Children can make moral decisions about what is right and wrong from a young
age; this makes morality fundamental to the human condition. Moral reasoning, however, is a
part of morality that occurs both within and between individuals. [1] Prominent contributors to
this theory includeLawrence Kohlberg and Elliot Turiel. The term is sometimes used in a different
sense: reasoning under conditions of uncertainty, such as those commonly obtained in a court of
law. It is this sense that gave rise to the phrase, "To a moral certainty;"[2] however, this idea is
now seldom used outside of charges to juries.
51 minutes ago
Junvy Abordo
The first stage in the preconventional level is obedience and punishment. In this stage people,
usually young children, avoid certain behaviors only because of the fear of punishment, not
because they see them as wrong.[8] The second stage in the preconventional level is called
individualism and exchange: in this stage people make moral decisions based on what best serves
their needs.[8]

The third stage is part of the conventional morality level and is called interpersonal relationships.
In this stage one tries to conform to what is considered moral by the society that they live in,
attempting to be seen by peers as a good person.[8] The fourth stage is also in the conventional
morality level and is called maintaining social order. This stage focuses on a view of society as a
whole and following the laws and rules of that society.[8]

The fifth stage is a part of the postconventional level and is called social contract and individual
rights. In this stage people begin to consider diff
50 minutes ago
Junvy Abordo
The fifth stage is a part of the postconventional level and is called social contract and individual
rights. In this stage people begin to consider differing ideas about morality in other people and
feel that rules and laws should be agreed on by the members of a society.[8] The sixth and final
stage of moral development, the second in the postconventional level, is called universal
principles. At this stage people begin to develop their ideas of universal moral principles and will
consider them the right thing to do regardless of what the laws of a society are.[8]
50 minutes ago
Junvy Abordo
Another psychologist who contributed to the field of moral reasoning was Jean Piaget. He
developed two phases of moral development, one common among children and the other
common among adults. The first is known as the Heteronomous Phase.[11] This phase, more
common among children, is characterized by the idea that rules come from authority figures in
one's life such as parents, teachers, and God.[11] It also involves the idea that rules are
permanent no matter what.[11] Thirdly, this phase of moral development includes the belief that
"naughty" behavior must always be punished and that the punishment will be proportional.[11]
The second phase in Piaget's theory of moral development is referred to as the Autonomous
Phase. This phase is more common after one has matured and is no longer a child. In this phase
people begin to view the intentions behind actions as more important than their consequences.
[11] For instance, if a person who is driving swerves in order to not hit a dog and then knocks
over a road sign, adults are likely to be less angry at the person than if he or she had done it on
purpose just for fun. Even though the outcome is the same, people are more forgiving because of
the good intention of saving the dog. This phase also includes the idea that people have different
morals and that morality is not necessarily universal.[11] People in the Autonomous Phase also
believe rules may be broken under certain circumstances.[11] For instance, Rosa Parks broke the
law by refusing to give up her seat on a bus, which was against the law but something many
people consider moral nonetheless.