Lecture: 5

Maryam Zuhaib
Rationalization
In order to maintain our self image as good people , we
unconsciously invent rationalization to convince
ourselves and others
For example , what he did was not wrong
• Not very harmful
• Not bad
Moral Reasoning

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
In fact, evidence shows that the moral principle or theory
a person chooses to apply is often, ironically, based on
their emotions, not on logic. Their choice is usually
influenced by internal biases or outside pressures, such as
the self-serving bias or the desire to conform.
So, while we likely believe we approach ethical dilemmas
logically and rationally, the truth is our moral reasoning is
usually influenced by intuitive, emotional reactio
 Following facts contribute in the Moral
Reasoning
1. Freedom
2. Right: fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of
people or owed to people, according to some legal system,
social convention, or ethical theory
3. Authority : Right to exercise power
4. Duty : Civic Duty, Legal Duty , Moral Duty
5. Motive : something that moves a person; an inducement,
something that leads a person on; an incentive, something that
inspires a person
Role Morality

Role morality is the notion that people sometimes fail to live

up to their own ethical standards because they see
themselves as playing a certain role that excuses them from
those standards.
For example, say a person views herself as a loyal employee
of a company. In that role, she might act unethically to
benefit her employer in ways that she would never do to
help herself. To paraphrase researcher Keith Levitt, the same
person may make a completely different decision based on
what hat – or occupational role – she may be wearing at the
time, often without even realizing it.
According to Professor James Rest, there are four keys
steps to acting ethically
First , people must perceive the ethical dimension of an
issue that they face. This is Moral Awareness.
Second, they must have the ability to decide upon a
course of action that is ethical. This is Moral Decision
Making.
Third, They must have desire to act on that ethical
decision. This is known as moral intent
Fourth and finally, they must have the motivation to act
upon that desire which we call Moral Action.
Ethical Fading
What is the phenomenon that Professor Bazerman and
Tenbrunsel call ethical fading and Murphy call “moral
myopia”
It can blind all of us to ethical misuse , if we are not
careful.
Looking out for ethical minefield is part of our personal
and professional responsibility every day.
Moral Disengagement
Even if our minds can not cause an ethical issue to
fade from view , a process known as “ moral
disengagement "can mitigate the sting of an unethical
decision.
“ it is the process by which our brain enables us to turn
off our usual ethical standards when we feel the
psychological need to do so , just like we turn off a TV
when a shows comes on that makes us
uncomfortable”