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• 1 2016-11-04T06:08:21-07:00 What is Morality? 11 Before understanding how morality functions in individuals with ASD, it is crucial to understand what we know about the basis of morality in typically developing individuals. While there is still much room for knowledge in this field of research, it serves as a foundation for our understanding of morality in ASD. plain 2016-12-12T05:43:27-08:00

  Morality

  The principles that govern our behavior and speaks of a system of behavior in regards to standards of right or wrong behavior. Without these principles in place, societies can often not survive for long. In today's world, morality is frequently thought of as belonging to a particular religious point of view, but by definition, we see that this is not the case. Everyone adheres to a moral doctrine of some kind (All About Philosophy). 
  
  "Moral goodness is what gives each of us the sense that we are worthy human beings. We seek it in our friends and mates, nurture it in our children, advance it in our politics and justify it with our religions. A disrespect for morality is blamed for everyday sins and history’s worst atrocities. To carry this weight, the concept of morality would have to be bigger than any of us and outside all of us" 
  
  (The Moral Instinct: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/magazine/13Psychology-t.html)
  
  Although for the purposes of my project, I will be looking at morality in a fairly general sense, it is important to understand some guiding theories regarding the nature of morality. A moral theory explains why a certain action is wrong or why we ought to act in certain ways. It also provides the framework upon which we think and evaluate specific moral issues. Below are several examples of prominent moral theories:
  
  (1) Moral Subjectivism - Right and wrong is determined by what you (the "subject") happen to think is right or wrong.
  (2) Cultural Relativism - Right and wrong is determined by the particular set of principles or rules the relevant culture just happens to
  hold at the time. Implies that we cannot criticize the actions of those in cultures other than our own and denies universal moral principles
  (3) Ethical Egoism - Right and wrong is determined by what is in your self-interest
  (4) Divine Command Theory - Right and wrong come from the commands of God 
  (5) Virtue Ethics - Right and wrong are characterized in terms of acting in accordance with the traditional virtues
  (6) Feminist Ethics - Right and wrong is to be found in womens' responses to the relationship of caring. Must be ground in "moral emotions" like love and sympathy This allows biases towards those with whom we have close social relationships. 
  (7) Utilitarianism - Right and wrong is determined by the overall goodness of the consequences of action. Whatever choice benefits the most people/brings the greatest amount of goodness into the world is the moral one. 
  
  (http://home.sandiego.edu/~baber/gender/MoralTheories.html)

  Moral Behavior can depend upon a variety of factors:

  • Consequences of behavior
  • Emotions
  • Situation
  • Laws and rules
  • Authority/institutions
  • Religious beliefs
  • Common practice
  • Personal conscience 

  Moral vs. Immoral vs. Amoral - What's the Distinction?

  Is there a distinction between ETHICS and MORALITY? Or are they interchangeable? 

  Morals are the principles on which one’s judgments of right and wrong are based. Ethics are principles of right conduct. The main difference is that morals are more abstract, subjective, and often personal or religion-based, while ethics are more practical, conceived as shared principles promoting fairness in social and business interactions (Grammarist).
  

  Morality: Innate or Acquired? Or both? 

  
  
  "What we're finding in the baby lab, is that there's more to it than that -- that there's a universal moral core that all humans share. The seeds of our understanding of justice, our understanding of right and wrong, are part of our biological nature." - Paul Bloom