MORAL AGENCY

LECTURE 2
 A PHILOSOPHER’S APPROACH

“…morality is part of human consciousness, that who we are as

persons is a reflection of our morality”

“Being able to decide what is the morally right thing to do certainly

does have real-life practical value”

Anthony Falikowski

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 MORAL AGENCY
One of the definitions put forward for moral agency is;

An individual’s ability to make moral judgements based on

some notion of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and to be held
accountable for their actions.

This definition speaks to an individual’s capacity, responsibility and

accountability for moral decision-making

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 ETHICS HAS AN IMPORTANT
PERSONAL COMPONENT
The personal component we refer to in moral agency is that of an
independent moral agent. The latter has the following attributes;

➢FREE-WILL

➢MORAL AUTONOMY

➢CAPACITY TO ‘JUDGE’

If one or more of these is not present then moral agency is compromised.

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 TAKE IT PERSONALLY

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of
great moral crisis maintain their neutrality”
Dante

What does this really mean for us as independent moral agents?

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 MORAL DILEMMAS
Moral agency is directly linked to moral dilemmas. The latter refers to
situations that require a moral response
How do you resolve a moral dilemma as an independent moral agent?

➢ Moral dilemmas do not permit the luxury of allowing one to sit on the
fence.

➢ One has to make a stand/moral response.

➢ We do this through moral agency.

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 JUDGEMENT
➢Possess ability to think critically & rationally.

➢Be able to identify moral issues & moral dilemmas.

➢Knowing when to confront people/situations.

➢Knowing when principles must be defended.

➢Understanding that sometimes difficult or unpleasant

actions must be undertaken as means of moral resolution.

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 AUTONOMY

➢Power of self-determination.

➢Self-governance which means living one’s life according

to one’s personal values, beliefs & desires.

➢An independent moral agent is the source of their own

actions. Suggests degree of personal responsibility.

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 FREEWILL

➢Possess ability to choose between different courses of

action without interference.

➢ Free to apply moral thinking within/to a moral dilemma.

➢Personal choice is not determined by physical or divine

forces. It is usually an outcome of values held.

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 IMPORTANT ASPECTS FOR MORAL
AGENCY
1: We can see how and why moral agents require ;
• Free Will
• Autonomy
• Judgement

2: The consequence of JUDGEMENT is DECISION-MAKING. However moral

philosophy suggests that it should ideally involve elements of;
• Reflection
• Contemplation
• Wisdom (Phronesis)

3: Moral resolution precedes moral action. (Look before you leap!)

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MORAL RESPONSE TO 9/11 BY MORAL
AGENTS
➢Some screamed for blood & vengeance.

➢Some for compassion.

➢Some for forgiveness & understanding.

➢Some for criminal prosecution.

➢Some for full-scale war.

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 LECTURE/LEARNING OUTCOMES
➢ Name and explain the 3 components of independent moral agency.

➢Who would not be considered an independent moral agent?

➢Why is moral resolution important?

➢Define a moral dilemma.

➢Provide an example of a moral dilemma.

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 SUGGESTED READINGS
Martin & Schinzinger (2005) Ethics In Engineering. 4th Edition.
McGraw Hill. pp 39-47

Any source that clearly defines moral agency and its importance in
moral resolution, moral response and moral accountability.

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