On Morality, Prudence and Inclination
01/03/10 04:50 PM
My partner (a lifelong learner) is taking a class on business ethics with Dr. Margaret L. Cohen, at UMUC, who authored the overview provided below on motivations for behavior. Dr. Cohen explains the concepts are straight from the philosopher Immanuel Kant, and the analytic tradition in philosophical ethics. Why is this relevant? Let me explain.
Abraham Maslow constructed a pyramid to illustrate the hierarchy of human needs. Our most basic needs are for those few things that keep us alive: food, water, air and shelter. As we progress in our personal growth, we continue through four additional stages, including safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization. Our growth, beyond physiological and safety needs, is mightily affected by our behavior, our attitude, and our morality. As we consider what we do each day on our growth journey, isn't it appropriate to be able to be honest with ourselves, and truthfully evaluate the real motivation for our behavior?
Dr. Cohen's outline of motivation is extremely relevant as a tool to help us 'see' what we're really doing. I wanted to share it with you, and hope you find it useful. But first, a special thanks to Dr. Cohen for letting me reproduce her work here...
* * * * * *
Morality, Prudence, and Inclination
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am eating a ½ gallon of chocolate chip ice cream, because it tastes good.
* I am watching Survivor, because I enjoy watching people deceive one another. * I am running five miles a day, because I can’t get enough of that “runner’s high.”
* I am having a romantic relationship with my sister’s husband, because that man
really “turns me on.”
These are what we will call “inclinational reasons.” We do something because it makes us feel good in some way. Of course, sometimes doing these things will hurt us in the long run, or be morally questionable.
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am cutting down on saturated fats because I want to protect my heart.
* I am exercising regularly to maintain bone density.
* I have been working late for the past year, so that I can get a promotion.
* I am going to college so that I can have a better life.
We will call these “prudential reasons” for acting. They are based on a broader conception of our longer-range well-being. These reasons may run counter to inclinational reasons in particular circumstances. They may also run counter to moral demands.
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am going home early each day, so that I can help my child with his homework, and take him to physical therapy.
* I am helping my neighbor fix his car because I promised her I would do so.
* I am going to Iraq because I enlisted in the army and have been deployed there.
* I am reporting my employer’s dumping of toxic wastes in the Potomac because the dumping must stop to avoid increased human illness.
We will call these “moral reasons” for acting, because they have as their basis
-- a concern for the well-being of others
-- a concern to keep or fulfill one’s commitments
-- a concern to perform one’s familial, promissory, or civic duties
Acting for moral reasons may require actions against one’s best interest, and also frustrating or not satisfying inclinations. There may be times, however, when by coincidence, acting for moral reasons may also be in one’s best interests or satisfy one’s inclinations.
For example:
* * * * * *
Need help moving towards moral motivation? We're here to help. Contact CFM at any time.
Abraham Maslow constructed a pyramid to illustrate the hierarchy of human needs. Our most basic needs are for those few things that keep us alive: food, water, air and shelter. As we progress in our personal growth, we continue through four additional stages, including safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization. Our growth, beyond physiological and safety needs, is mightily affected by our behavior, our attitude, and our morality. As we consider what we do each day on our growth journey, isn't it appropriate to be able to be honest with ourselves, and truthfully evaluate the real motivation for our behavior?
Dr. Cohen's outline of motivation is extremely relevant as a tool to help us 'see' what we're really doing. I wanted to share it with you, and hope you find it useful. But first, a special thanks to Dr. Cohen for letting me reproduce her work here...
* * * * * *
Morality, Prudence, and Inclination
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am eating a ½ gallon of chocolate chip ice cream, because it tastes good.
* I am watching Survivor, because I enjoy watching people deceive one another. * I am running five miles a day, because I can’t get enough of that “runner’s high.”
* I am having a romantic relationship with my sister’s husband, because that man
really “turns me on.”
These are what we will call “inclinational reasons.” We do something because it makes us feel good in some way. Of course, sometimes doing these things will hurt us in the long run, or be morally questionable.
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am cutting down on saturated fats because I want to protect my heart.
* I am exercising regularly to maintain bone density.
* I have been working late for the past year, so that I can get a promotion.
* I am going to college so that I can have a better life.
We will call these “prudential reasons” for acting. They are based on a broader conception of our longer-range well-being. These reasons may run counter to inclinational reasons in particular circumstances. They may also run counter to moral demands.
Consider the following motivations and reasons for doing something:
* I am going home early each day, so that I can help my child with his homework, and take him to physical therapy.
* I am helping my neighbor fix his car because I promised her I would do so.
* I am going to Iraq because I enlisted in the army and have been deployed there.
* I am reporting my employer’s dumping of toxic wastes in the Potomac because the dumping must stop to avoid increased human illness.
We will call these “moral reasons” for acting, because they have as their basis
-- a concern for the well-being of others
-- a concern to keep or fulfill one’s commitments
-- a concern to perform one’s familial, promissory, or civic duties
Acting for moral reasons may require actions against one’s best interest, and also frustrating or not satisfying inclinations. There may be times, however, when by coincidence, acting for moral reasons may also be in one’s best interests or satisfy one’s inclinations.
For example:
* * * * * *
Need help moving towards moral motivation? We're here to help. Contact CFM at any time.
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