Section F The Moral Challenge

1. Section F The Moral Challenge Chapter Twenty-Eight Growing in Morality

2. Moral Growth • A person’s morality develops and takes shape as they grow

3. Stages of Moral Development • Stage 1 – Doing the right thing to avoid punishment and gain reward • Stage 2– Comparing right and wrong with social convention • Stage 3– Having your own perspectives on what is right and wrong

4. A Child’s Morality • A child’s idea of right and wrong depends on the significant adults in their life, e.g. parents, teachers, etc. • They feel that something is wrong because they have been told it is wrong • Doing the right thing = not getting into trouble

5. Adolescent Morality • When deciding whethersomething is right or wrong, adolescents think a lot about what other people do • An important influence on the moral outlook and behaviour of adolescents is their friends • This is an important stage in the development of a person’s own sense of morality

6. Moral Maturity Means ... • Having a strong sense of right and wrong • Not being concerned about what other people think • Having an informed conscience

7. Morally Mature People ... • Are able to think about the consequences of their actions • Don’t only think of themselves • Are able to explain their moral viewpoint

8. Conscience • The ability to judge right from wrong and act on what is right • Conscience should be informed by finding out the facts of a moral issue • Sources of guidance can help inform a person’s conscience

9. Utilitarianism: a System of Ethics • Developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill • Actions are evaluated on the basis of their consequences • For something to be good, it must be good for the majority

10. Situation Ethics • Developed by Joseph Fletcher • The right thing to do depends on the situation • It is notabout having moral rules • It is concerned with trying to achieve a good result • An action decided on the basis of love is good