THE MORAL

THE MORAL AGENT

AGENT
REPORTERS:
Allyssa Arguel Jervie Aaron Ayawan Jehan Monette
Cecelia Todio Kayla Jane Tolentino Romel Tomas
Eunice Arzadon Mechaella Balicao Sherwin John Tuazon
 The Moral Agent

DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS A HABIT

 MORAL AGENT
MORAL AGENT
a person who has the
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her
ability to own actions.
discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his
or her own actions.

THE MORAL AGENT

 HABITS
MORAL AGENT
something that a person
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her
does own actions.
often in a regular and
repeated way.

THE MORAL AGENT

VIRTUE
MORAL AGENT
behavior showing
a person who high to discern right from wrong
has the ability
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
moral standards.

conforming to the
standard of right.

THE MORAL AGENT

DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS A HABIT

THE MORAL AGENT

VIRTUES ARE HABITS

according to Aristotle, it
is commonly thought that virtues
are habits and the good life is a
mindless routine.
ARISTOTLE
(384–322 B.C.E.)

THE MORAL AGENT

How does a person develop virtues?
MORAL AGENT
Through learning and practice.
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
As the ancient philosopher Aristotle suggested, a
person can improve his or her character by practicing self-
discipline, while a good character can be corrupted by
repeated self-indulgence.
THE MORAL AGENT
How does a person develop virtues?
MORAL AGENT
Through
a person learning
who has and
the ability practice.
to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Example: A person who developed the virtue of
generosity is often referred to as a generous person because
he or she tends to be generous in all circumstances.

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
ATOMIC
and HABITS
to be held accountable for his or her own actions.

by James Clear

THE MORAL AGENT

THE CIRCULAR RELATION OF ACTS AND
CHARACTER

THE MORAL AGENT

 The Circular Relation of Acts and Character
MORAL AGENT
In the process of moral development, there is
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and
thetocircular
be held accountable for his or her
relation between ownthat
acts actions.
build character
and moral character itself.

THE MORAL AGENT

The Circular Relation of Acts and Character

MORALNot all acts help to build moral character, but

AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
those
and to act with
be held emanateforfrom
accountable his ormoral
her owncharacters
actions. certainly
matter in moral development.

THE MORAL AGENT

The Circular Relation of Acts and Character

MORALThis goes to show that moral development should

AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
also bebeunderstood
and to the for
held accountable sense
his orofher
human flourishing.
own actions.

THE MORAL AGENT

The Circular Relation of Acts and Character

MORALVirtous
AGENT traits of character ought to be stable and
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
enduring andaccountable
and to be held are notformere product
his or her of fortune, but
own actions.

learning, constant practice, and cultivation.

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL CHARACTER AS DISPOSITION

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL CHARACTER AS DISPOSITION

MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held
Moral accountableare
characters for his or herdispositions
those own actions. or the tendency

to act or think in a particular way for which a person can be

held morally responsible.

THE MORAL AGENT

 MORAL CHARACTER AS DISPOSITION
MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Moral Character traits – either virtues or
vices are also considered dispositions.

THE MORAL AGENT

 MORAL CHARACTER AS DISPOSITION
MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Moral characters are dispositions of
both heart and mind to do virtuous acts.

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL CHARACTER AS DISPOSITION

According to Max Scheler (2012), one lives

in his acts, permeating every act with his peculiar
character.

This means that an individual needs to

evaluate each act he does to see if it helps him
become a better person or not.
MAX SCHELER

THE MORAL AGENT

STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
(KOHLBERG’S THEORY)

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Level 1: Pre-Conventional Morality

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 1: Punishment-Obedience Orientation

MORAL AGENT
This is aalso known
person as the
who has theability
pre-moral
to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
stage where decisions and actions are
determined by immediate physical
consequence and not true moral value.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 2: Reward Orientation

MORAL AGENT
a persongrow
As children who has the ability
older, theyto discern
begin right fromthat
to see wrongthere
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
is actually room for negotiation because other people
have their own goals to meet and wants that must be
satisfied too.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 2: Reward Orientation

MORAL AGENT
Children a person whotohasbehave
learn the abilitybased
to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
on the What’s in it for me? principle.

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Level II: Conventional Morality

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationship (Good boy/girl)

People aged 8-16 tend to prioritise pleasing others,

MORAL AGENT
a personteachers,
such as parents, who has the ability
and to discern right
friends, overfromthemselves.
wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
They seek acceptance, according to someone else's
expectations.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationship
(Good boy/girl)
MORAL AGENT
Theya person who follow
simply has the ability to discern right from wrong
guidelines
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
imposed by more powerful persons;
they may violate if they are unlikely to
get caught.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 3: Good Interpersonal Relationship
(Good boy/girl)
MORAL AGENT
Theya person who follow
simply has the ability to discern right from wrong
guidelines
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
imposed by more powerful persons;
they may violate if they are unlikely to
get caught.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 4: Law and order

The majority of people 16 years old and above

MORAL AGENT
have accepted a person who hasofthe
the rules ability to discern
behaviour right by
set out fromsociety.
wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.
Must maintain social order.

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL AGENT
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
Level 3 – Post Conventional Morality
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 5: Social Contract
MORALAccepts
AGENT that everyone has different views and
a person who has the ability to discern right from wrong
that
andthey
to be should be respected.
held accountable for his or her own actions.

THE MORAL AGENT

Stage 6: Universal Principles

Also known as Principal

Conscience.

Laws are valid if they are just,

moral obligation to disobey if they are
not
THE MORAL AGENT
Stage 6: Universal Principles

Problems with Kohlberg’s Theory - The

mention dilemmas are artificial, that is, they lack
ecological validity

In Heinz Dilemma, for instance, Kohlberg’s

subjects were aged between 10 and 16, have never
been married, and not credible to answer whether or
not Heinz should steal the drug. - Sample is biased.
MAX SCHELER

THE MORAL AGENT

MORAL AGENT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONSCIENCE-BASED
REACHING
a person whoMORAL
has the DECISIONS
ability to discern right from wrong
and to be held accountable for his or her own actions.

THE MORAL AGENT

1. Self-awareness:

Reflect on your own values,

beliefs, biases, and motivations.
Understand how these factors
influence your decision-making
process.

THE MORAL AGENT

2. Empathy and perspective-taking:

Develop the ability to see

situations from different viewpoints
and understand the feelings and needs
of others involved. Consider the
potential consequences of your actions
on all stakeholders.
THE MORAL AGENT
3. Moral education:

Continuously educate yourself

on various ethical theories, principles,
and frameworks. Understand the
wisdom passed down from different
philosophical traditions.

THE MORAL AGENT

4. Critical thinking and ethical reasoning:

Engage in logical reasoning and

thoughtful analysis when faced with
moral dilemmas. Consider multiple
options and their potential outcomes
before making a decision.
THE MORAL AGENT
5. Reflect on personal values:
Examine your core principles and
values. Regularly reflect on whether
your decisions align with those values
and make adjustments as needed.

THE MORAL AGENT

6. Seek diverse perspectives: Engage in
dialogue and listen to differing opinions
and beliefs. This exposure to diverse
perspectives can broaden your
understanding and challenge any biases
or prejudices you may hold.

THE MORAL AGENT

7. Engage in moral discourse:
Participate in discussions, debates, or
ethical committees where you can engage
with others on complex moral issues.

This allows for the exchange of ideas,

growth in ethical thinking, and refining
your decision-making process.
THE MORAL AGENT
8. Self-reflection and evaluation:
Regularly evaluate your decision-
making process and outcomes. Be honest
with yourself about any deficiencies or
areas for improvement. Learn from
your experiences and strive to do better
in future decisions.
THE MORAL AGENT
9. Practice moral courage:

Stand up for what you believe in, even

when it may be challenging or unpopular.

Take risks and be willing to act

according to your conscience, even when it
requires you to go against the norm or face
criticism.
THE MORAL AGENT
10. Continuous learning and growth: Moral
decision-making is an ongoing process. Stay
open to learning and adapting your viewpoints
as new information and perspectives emerge.

As you continuously grow and refine your

moral compass, you can strive to reach the
highest level of conscience-based moral
decisions.
THE MORAL AGENT
10. Continuous learning and growth: Moral
decision-making is an ongoing process. Stay
open to learning and adapting your viewpoints
as new information and perspectives emerge.

As you continuously grow and refine your

moral compass, you can strive to reach the
highest level of conscience-based moral
decisions.
THE MORAL AGENT