Q. Differentiate ‘moral intuition from ‘moral reasoning’ with suitable examples.

Model Answer: 

Differentiating Moral Intuition from Moral Reasoning

Moral intuition refers to the immediate, automatic judgments we make about the rightness or wrongness of actions without conscious deliberation. It’s often described as a “gut feeling” about ethical situations.

Moral reasoning, on the other hand, involves a conscious, deliberate process of applying ethical principles, considering consequences, and logically analyzing moral dilemmas to reach a conclusion.

Key Differences

1. Speed of Decision-Making:
– Moral intuition: Rapid, almost instantaneous
– Moral reasoning: Slower, requiring time for reflection and analysis

2. Level of Conscious Thought:
– Moral intuition: Largely subconscious
– Moral reasoning: Highly conscious and deliberate

3. Influence of Emotions vs. Logic:
– Moral intuition: Heavily influenced by emotions and personal experiences
– Moral reasoning: Primarily driven by logical analysis and ethical frameworks

Examples

Moral Intuition in Action
Imagine witnessing someone steal an elderly person’s purse. Your immediate reaction to chase the thief or call for help is driven by moral intuition. You don’t consciously weigh the pros and cons; you just know it’s the right thing to do.

Moral Reasoning in Practice
Consider a doctor faced with the decision to lie to a terminally ill patient about their condition. The doctor might engage in moral reasoning by:
1. Considering the principle of patient autonomy
2. Weighing the potential consequences of truth vs. deception
3. Analyzing professional ethical guidelines
4. Reflecting on similar past experiences
This process involves careful deliberation before reaching a decision.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Moral Intuition
– Strengths: Quick decision-making, often aligned with societal norms
– Weaknesses: Can be biased by personal experiences, may lead to inconsistent judgments

Moral Reasoning
– Strengths: More objective, considers multiple perspectives, can handle complex situations
– Weaknesses: Time-consuming, may struggle with highly emotional scenarios

Moral intuition and reasoning often work together. Intuition can provide a starting point for ethical decisions, while reasoning allows us to examine and refine these initial judgments. In complex moral dilemmas, we might start with an intuitive response but then use reasoning to critically evaluate and potentially adjust our stance.

Conclusion: Both moral intuition and moral reasoning play crucial roles in ethical decision-making. While intuition allows for quick responses in everyday situations, reasoning is essential for tackling complex moral issues. Developing both capacities and learning when to rely on each is key to making well-rounded ethical judgments in various life scenarios.