Ethical judgement is a process of evaluating human actions based on moral principles. According to the provided reference, ethical judgment is an attitudinal evaluation in which human behaviour is positively or negatively assessed according to a set of moral standards. Essentially, it's how we decide if something someone does is right or wrong.
Understanding Ethical Judgements
Let's break down the core components of this definition:
Attitudinal Evaluation
This means that an ethical judgement isn't just stating a fact; it involves a personal stance or perspective. It reflects a judgment based on how we perceive the action aligns with our internal or societal moral framework. It's an evaluation that carries emotional and cognitive weight.
Assessing Human Behaviour
Ethical judgements are primarily concerned with the actions, intentions, and character of individuals or groups. We are evaluating what people do or why they do it, rather than just observing events. For instance, we don't usually make an ethical judgement about the weather, but we do about pollution that causes it.
According to a Set of Moral Standards
This is the crucial benchmark. Ethical judgements are not arbitrary; they are made in relation to established or perceived moral rules, principles, values, or codes of conduct. These standards can come from various sources:
- Personal Beliefs: Individual conscience and values.
- Cultural/Societal Norms: Rules and expectations within a community.
- Religious Doctrines: Moral codes derived from faith.
- Philosophical Frameworks: Systems like utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, etc.
- Professional Codes: Rules governing specific professions (e.g., medical ethics, legal ethics).
The judgement determines if the behavior conforms to (positively assessed) or deviates from (negatively assessed) these standards.
How Ethical Judgements Are Formed
The formation of ethical judgements is a complex process influenced by:
- Moral Reasoning: The cognitive process of thinking through ethical issues.
- Emotions: Our feelings and reactions to situations.
- Upbringing and Socialization: Lessons learned from family, school, and society.
- Experience: Past encounters with ethical dilemmas.
- Cultural Context: The prevailing moral landscape of our environment.
Examples of Ethical Judgements
Ethical judgements occur daily, from small decisions to major global issues.
- Positive Assessment: Judging someone who volunteers their time for a charitable cause as acting ethically because it aligns with standards of altruism and community support.
- Negative Assessment: Judging an act of stealing as unethical because it violates moral standards regarding property rights and honesty.
- Complex Scenario: Judging a company's decision to automate jobs. This involves evaluating the behavior (the decision) against standards related to profit, employee welfare, societal impact, etc.
Significance of Ethical Judgements
Ethical judgements are fundamental to:
- Individual Morality: Shaping personal character and decision-making.
- Social Order: Establishing norms and expectations for behavior within a community.
- Justice Systems: Underpinning laws and legal proceedings.
- Organizational Culture: Defining acceptable practices in businesses and institutions.
- Resolving Conflicts: Providing a framework for discussing and addressing disagreements about right and wrong.
Key Aspects Summarized
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Nature | Attitudinal evaluation |
| Focus | Human behaviour (actions, intentions) |
| Basis | A set of moral standards (personal, cultural, religious, philosophical, etc.) |
| Outcome | Positive or negative assessment (right or wrong) |
| Significance | Guides individual conduct, shapes social norms, informs justice |
In summary, an ethical judgement is the act of evaluating human actions against a backdrop of moral principles to determine their rightness or wrongness.
