LESSON II: THE MORAL AGENT

DEVELOPING VIRTUE AS HABIT

Moral Character refers to the existence or lack of virtue such as integrity, courage, fortitude,
honesty, and loyalty.

1. Moral Character and Virtue

- (etymology) - "kharaktēr", means a stamping tool

- "Moral Character", therefore, in philosophical sense, refers to having or lacking

moral virtue. If one lacks virtue he/she may have any of the moral vices, or he/she
may be marked by a condition somewhere in between virtue and vice, such as
continence or incontinence.

2. The Circular Relation of Acts and Character

- In the process of moral development, there is the circular relation between acts
that build character and moral character itself. Not all acts help to build moral
character, but those act with emanate from moral characters certainly matter in
moral development.

- This goes to show that moral development should also be understood the sense of
human flourishing.

- Virtous traits of character ought to be stable and enduring and are not mere product
of fortune, but learning, constant practice, and cultivation.

3. Moral Character as Disposition

- The moral character traits that constitute a personal's moral character are
characterically understood as behavioral and affective disposition.
- Dispositions are particular kinds of properties or characteristics that object ls
can.possess.
 - Among human beings, moral character traits - either virtue or vices - are also
considered as disposition.

4-5. Six Stages of Moral Development and Getting to the Highest Level, Conscience-
Based Moral Decisions
Lawrence Kohlberg
- Developed his theory based on Jean Piaget’s work in moral development
- Theorized that moral development occurs in a series of six stages classified in
three levels
- Made up the story called Heinz Dilemma
Level 1 – Pre-Conventional Morality
Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment
- How can I avoid punishment
- Rules are fixed and must be obeyed to avoid punishment
- Keyword: Obedience
Stage 2: Individualism and Exchange
- What’s in it for me?
- What can I do or what can I exchange so I can get what I want?
- Become aware of others and what they can do to help reach whatever they
want
- Keyword: Self Interest
Level 2 – Conventional Morality
Stage 3: Good Boy/Good Girl
- Awareness of society’s expectations which let determine their actions
- All about perception
- Keyword: Conformity
Stage 4: Law and Order
- Must maintain the social order
- Do your duty and respect authority
- Keyword: Law and Order
 Level 3 – Post Conventional Morality
Stage 5: Social Contract
- Accepts that everyone has different views and that they should be respected\
- Laws are social contracts
- Keyword: Human Rights
Stage 6: Universal Principles
- Also known as Principal Conscience
- Laws are valid if they are just, moral obligation to disobey if they are not
- Kohlberg found this difficult to identify in people

6. 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

Submitted by: Witham, Nikka

Vidal, Kursten Kaye R.
(BSN1-2)

Submitted to: Ms. Mhonet Carmona