Differences between Descriptive and Normative Ethical Theories
Descriptive ethical theories strive to skillfully and comprehensively describe the range of decision-making circumstances across various contexts, from the intricate networks within businesses to the broader societal fields that guide our moral understandings. They are devoted to revealing the numerous links that play a crucial role in the process of unique moral reasoning, which is critical for decision-making. While normative theories remain typical mandates and dictate what should be done, descriptive theories abstain from prescribing particular courses of action. The authors do not attempt to explain ethics; instead, they embark on an investigative philosophical pursuit that seeks to dissect, interpret, and explain people’s various ethical choices when confronted with complex dilemmas in various fields of life.
These interdisciplinary theories employ a holistic approach to various differentiation parameters like age, gender, intellectual temperament, cognitive mindset, and psychological inclination. They act on the complex mass of the dynamics that entails all the situating aspects ranging from those about the specific issue to the wider ones related to the context outlook in general. Individual and situational problems, descriptive ethical theories, organizational norms, cultural features, and institutional conditions can influence the right decision path. This is how descriptive ethical theories function as shining flashlights aiming at detecting life’s intricate mosaic, making it more recognizable and thoughtful. These theories are not only an exceptional normative injunction but also clear a path for the subtle analysis of different variables, such as an individual, situation, and context, which are interdependent in shaping ethical conduct in different spheres of human behavior.
On the other hand, normative ethical theories function like instructive touchpoints that designate the morally right route for various situations. These frameworks or rules for navigating a person with various ethical dilemmas are the same (Ranville et al., 2022). According to normative theories, some concepts or norms of ethics help indicate the moral limits of right and wrong. Normative ethics has included different approaches like utilitarianism as a consequentialist framework, deontology as a non-consequentialist paradigm, virtue ethics, feminist ethics, discourse ethics, and postmodern ethics. These sentiments could prove that their functions reorganize the basics of ethical reasoning. The theories aid the conceptualization of a world of intricacies and grey areas that are difficult to navigate, a solid structure upon which individuals can base their decisions on rightness with wisdom and assurance. The enlarging of such theories with their trends and depth will foster a better understanding of the significance of the theories in shaping individual behavior on the one hand and the other societal norms and values. In the ethical non-consequentialist scheme of thought like deontological philosophy, adherence to principles or duties is valued more than the outcomes of the decisions made. This is the starting point of deontological ethics founded on moral rights that must be obeyed no matter what else ensues. Through virtue, principles of honesty, justice, and respect for autonomy, individuals assert the value of each human being, which creates a fair and just society. Virtue ethics is also a vital normative theory because it differs from Kant’s deontological ethics, emphasizing obligations or suitable activities rather than highlighting character.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Cognitive Moral Development and its Contribution to Ethical Decision Making
The idea of cognitive moral development theory, expressed by Lawrence Kohlberg, is one of the high points of psychology. Improving the understanding of moral reasoning in this way, CMD allows people to go through a series of cognitive stages and to settle ethical issues while developing (DeTienne et al., 2019). Kohlberg’s theory, formulated about half a century ago, proposes this ordered progression, which is passed through 6 stages; each stage has some distinct cognitive abilities and ethical orientations. The very basal level of Kohlberg’s model is characterized by the pre-conventional stage, which shows moral reasoning to be self-directed and decidedly egocentric, and at that level, rewards come from external sources understood in an elementary fashion, and punishments are imposed confusingly. People’s actions and decisions are generally circumscribed by the narrow priorities of personal profit and doing something impossible for them to anticipate any consequences. They cannot go deeper into their discussions that otherwise would be morally right. What follows at this point is an advancement from pre-conventional into a conventional level of moral development of an individual. The moral reasoning sphere can be likened to expanding social vision here, with persons becoming more attentive to culture, norms, socialization, and interactions as they grow. In the community, ethical decisions are statements of the principled desires to establish social order and adhere to the existing conventions, further proving the growing awareness of society and expectations.
Kohlberg’s theory culminates in the post-conventional level of moral development, characterized by the emergence of autonomous moral principles grounded in universal ethical values such as justice, equality, and human rights. At this stage, individuals exhibit a capacity for critical reflection and moral autonomy, transcending conventional norms to embrace higher-order ethical principles. The moral evaluations primarily consider the universal rights and values complicated by the majority and particular interests. It should be remembered that Kohlberg’s theory points out the changeable nature of moral development, emphasizing cognitive maturation and social experiences in forming individuals` ethical reasoning skills. It highlights the crucial point of building places that enable ethical development and facilitate interaction between individuals to engage in moral contemplation and dialogue. Kohlberg’s theory of ethics produces valuable information about the cognitive processes that support moral judgment and action. The developmental process of moral reasoning that the model illustrates guides efforts in promoting ethical awareness and fostering responsible decision-making in personal relationships and professional settings. Lawrence Kohlberg’s cognitive moral development theory remains a landmark contribution to the study of human morality, and it provides a solid basis for the examination of the various facets of ethical decisions. The theory clarifies the distinct stages of the development of cognition and shows the way for ethical growth and ethical behavior by individuals in a changing world. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development significantly explains the complex psychological functions behind moral judgment-making procedures. This is based on the premise that people’s ethical sense is critical for developing ethical judgment capacities. Learning about Kohlberg’s theory is invaluable for business managers, helping them understand the triangular relationship between education, practical experience, and cognitive development that shapes ethical choices in work-related settings.
References
DeTienne, K. B., Ellertson, C. F., Ingerson, M. C., & Dudley, W. R. (2021). Moral development in business ethics: An examination and critique. Journal of Business Ethics, 170, 429-448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04351-0
Ranville, A., & Barros, M. (2022). Towards normative theories of social entrepreneurship. A review of the top publications of the field. Journal of Business Ethics, 180(2), 407-438.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-021-04867-4
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