Moral Theories and Mental Frame

Moral Theories and Mental
and why they

Frames are
important
Learning Determine moral theories and
moral moral frames.
Objectives
Differentiate different
types of moral theories.
Evaluate the importance of moral theories

and frame works in decision making process.
What is moral theory?
Moral
Theories
▪explains why a certain action is wrong or why we
ought to act in certain ways.
▪provide the framework upon which we think and
discuss in a reasoned way, and so evaluate, specific
moral issues.
Types of Moral
Theories
• Utilitarianism
• Deontology
• Relativism
• Divine Command Theory
• Virtue Ethics
• Egoism
• Natural Rights Creativity
Utilitarianism
A Theory of Consequences
It is a theory that holds that the one should pick the

best way to make a moral option that either
decision is to look at the does the most to increase happiness or
potential consequences of each does the least to increase suffering.
available choice; Example: Refraining from lying.
Deontology
A Duty-Based Moral Philosophy
-Morality is a matter of duty.

-Whether something is right or wrong doesn't depend on it's consequences.
-actions are defined by intention.
Example:
The difference between murder and killing as self-defense.
Relativism
A Theory Based on Experiences
It states that no one person’s morals are better or worse than any other.
Relativism is a moral philosophy that could, therefore, be different depending on
where you grow up. And what may be right in your society, could be very wrong
in another person’s society.
Example: Polygamy in Middle Eastern countries

Divine Command
A Higher Power
Theory
-states that God is the ultimate -believe that the best way to live a Example: In Islam, consuming
arbiter of what constitutes morality, moral life is to act in accordance pork is prohibited in Quran
and that without God we have no with Scripture. It doesn’t matter
while in Judaism pork is
clear way of telling right from what’s considered good or bad, but
wrong. simply what God commands. considered unclean.
Virtue Ethics
Always Improve Yourself
-states that only good people can make good moral decisions. Therefore, the best
way to be moral is to constantly seek to improve oneself.
-list a number of qualities that they believe are universal and that all cultures
appreciate. They include wisdom, prudence, loyalty, honesty, temperance,bravery,
and justice.
Virtue ethicists argue that if a person tries his best to embody these traits, then
by definition he will always be in a good position to make moral judgments.
Example: Tim discovers that his classmates are bullying the new student. Tim values the virtue of
kindness but feels conflicted about what to do knowing that intervening could potentially lead to
social backlash from his classmates. However, despite of the tension betwee his commitment to
kindness and concern to his personal safety, he decides to speak out against the bullying behaviour
and offer support to the new student.
Egoism
A Theory Based On Self-Interest
Example:
Egoism is a moral philosophy
that holds that the best way for Chessy is competing a promotion at work with her friend Gail.
one to be morally good is to act Believing that getting the promotion will lead to highger pay, more
in accordance with one’s self recognition, and greater job satisfaction, she decided to do
interest. whatever it takes to secure the promotion even if it means
outperforming her friend.
Natural Rights
Human Rights
TheoryNatural rights theorists or human rights theorists believe that

every person is endowed with certain inalienable rights, such as
the right to life, the right to own property and the right to liberty.
These fundamental rights by virtue of humanity serves as a moral
foundation for human rights, justice, and ethical decision-
making.
Natural Rights
Human Rights
Theory
Example:
A government considering weather to abolish or retain the death penalty for certain
crimes. Supporters of the death penalty argue that it provides a sense of justice.
However death penalty invokes natural rights theory arguing that executing individuals
violate their fundamental rights to live.
What is Mental
Frame?
Mental Frame
-Mental framing is how you see any given situation and occurs when you
position your thoughts in such a way as to convince yourself of the value of
difficult situations.
-A mental frame is kind of like a picture frame.

It determines where the picture begins and ends, and our simulated viewpoint
of the image.
Example:
John and Sarah, witness the same event: a car accident
on a busy street.
John, who has a generally optimistic outlook on life, might interpret the accident through
a frame of empathy and concern. He might think, "I hope everyone involved is okay.
Accidents happen, but it's important to stay calm and assist those in need."
On the other hand, Sarah, who tends to be more skeptical and distrustful, might
interpret the accident through a frame of suspicion and blame.
She might think, "I wonder whose fault it was. People drive recklessly all the
time. This just proves how dangerous the roads are."
What will you
choose?
Framing Bias
(Heuristic)
-This bias refers to the tendency of individuals to make different decisions or judgments based
on how information is presented or framed, rather than on its actual content.
Ex: a pharmaceutical company introducing a new medication.

They present the medication's effectiveness in
two different ways:
Positive Frame: "This medication has a 90% success rate in curing the illness."
Negative Frame: "This medication has a 10% failure rate in treating the illness."
Types of Heuristic
Representativeness Heuristic
Availability Heuristic
Anchoring and Adjustment Heuristic

Representativeness
Heuristic
Example:
This heuristic involves making
decisions or judgments based on how
well an object, event, or situation
matches a particular prototype or
stereotype.
Availability Heuristic
This heuristic involves making

judgments based on the ease with
Example:
which examples or instances come to
mind.
Anchoring and Adjustment
Heuristic
This heuristic involves making estimates or judgments by starting from an initial anchor or
reference point and adjusting it based on new information.
Example:
The Consequences of
Deciding
with Blinders Positive and Negative
Framing Bias
Dubious Practical
Effects
Damaging Practical
Effects
Anomalous Practical
Effects
Why is it
important?
Your attitude and your perspectives are part conscious and part
unconscious and can be learned, unlearned, programmed and
reprogrammed in a variety of different ways. A simple change of
mind can help you become your best self.
“If you have a positive frame of mind,
you can manifest positive things in your
life”
-Alesha Dixon
Thank You

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Moral Theories and Mental

and why they

Evaluate the importance of moral theories

It is a theory that holds that the one should pick the

-Morality is a matter of duty.

Example: Polygamy in Middle Eastern countries

TheoryNatural rights theorists or human rights theorists believe that

-A mental frame is kind of like a picture frame.

Ex: a pharmaceutical company introducing a new medication.

Anchoring and Adjustment Heuristic

This heuristic involves making

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