Professor Rolls tutorial

3rd November 1999

Moral Development

Moralities

definition of morality = rules governing what is right

e.g.

10 commandments

categorical imperative

do as you would be done by � New Testament

utilitarianism � maximising the �utility� in society � hedonic calculus

the best action/decision in a particular situation is that which beenfits most people

i.e. �the greatest Good for the greatest number�

neminem laede

Laws of robotics

relativism/individualism

Definitions

autonomy: an action which is determined by the subject's own free choice (see will)

moral action is defined as being autonomous

heteronomy: an action which is determined by some outside influence (i.e., some force other than the freedom given by practical reason, such as inclination) impelling the subject to act in a certain way. Such action is nonmoral (i.e., neither moral nor immoral)

teleological: doing something for a purpose or reason

deontological: doing something for its intrinsic value

ontogenesis: development in individuals

phylogenesis: development in a group