Morality: Judgments and Action

Although the topics of morality and moral development are complex, ethical decisions ultimately boil down to the simple question: "Okay, or not okay?" Our sense of morality informs the choices we make about right and wrong, based on our own feelings and relationships with others, which in turn set us off on various possible courses of action. Presenting an overview of contemporary schools of thought regarding the development of ethical reasoning, the universality of morality, and how judgments lead to action, Morality: Judgments and Action begins with a short history of relevant psychological studies to provide context, before host Dr. Elliot Turiel presents his "domain theory" of moral judgment, which is illustrated through informal interviews with adults, clinical interviews with young children, and real-life situations. Turiel believes that moral judgments--which he divides into three domains: personal, conventional, and moral--are essentially grounded in individual thought and evaluation, rather than culture and religion. Combining footage from other cultures, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and Stanley Milgram's legendary experiments during the '60s, this program presents both traditional concepts and current thought on the subject in an articulate, interesting program that should engage viewers and stimulate discussion. Recommended for larger collections. Aud: C, P. (E. Gieschen)