In philosophy, moral conversion is an existentialchange in the person, who is perceived as the moral agent adopting new moral standards (or mores) in a process of internal transformation. Moral conversion is a relatively rare event in a person's normal development. It involves a decision that is both conscious and existentialist (i.e. based on critical questioning).[1] Moral conversion is based on the internalist view of morality.[2]
The process of moral conversion was described by Lawrence Kohlberg of the University of Chicago, who developed the so-called Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development. Six classes of moral conversion were identified, based on progressively higher and higher levels of moral reasoning, beginning with the preconventional level of a child, and concluding with the postconventional (or autonomous) level of an adult aware of ethical principles guiding universally moral behaviour.[3]
Notably, the notion of moral conversion has been distinguished from the theory of moral development per se, by Walter E. Conn (of Villanova University) and John C. Gibbs (of the Ohio State University).[4] Moral conversion, according to Conn and Gibbs, involves critical questioning and therefore differs from any spontaneous moral development (Kohlberg). It results in the setting forth of the "self-chosen values" (Conn), which bring the existential dimension to the transforming process.[5]
Alfredo J. Mac Laughlin of St. Ambrose University defines moral conversion by the frequent occurrence of the "sharp-turn conversions" resulting from the presence of free will, which differ from the natural/spontaneous development taking place in incremental stages (Kohlberg).[6] The most significant aspect of moral conversion is the withdrawal from the moral convictions of the past, which is based on "critical self-appropriation" or the critical discovery of oneself.[7] It depends on the sense of authenticity beyond the possibility of predictions.[8]
As self-transcendenceedit
Bernard Lonergan explains that moral conversion is not moral perfection. It is the "withdrawal from self-enclosure" or the shift from personal satisfaction criterion to values that transcend oneself (or one's own group interests). Moral conversion, according to Lonergan, is one of three different types of conversion along with the intellectual and the religious conversion.[9] From a causal point of view, it is the difference between varying levels of consciousness leading to a higher sense of responsibility for the world.[10]
Mac Laughlin, Alfredo J. (2008), "Conversion: The Etymological Context", Narratives of Hope: A Philosophical Study of Moral Conversion, Loyola University, p. 476, ISBN978-0549840107, retrieved October 6, 2012
Doran, Robert M. (2011), "Moral Conversion from and to" (PDF file, direct download 61.8 KB), What Does Bernard Lonergan Mean by ‘Conversion’?, University of Toronto Press, p. 20, retrieved October 7, 2012
Conn, Walter E. & Wolski Conn, Joann (1982), , Spirituality Today, 34 (4): 303–311, Conversion as Self-Transcendence Exemplified in the Life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, archived from the original on January 21, 2001, retrieved October 9, 2012
November 25, 2023
moral, conversion, philosophy, moral, conversion, existential, change, person, perceived, moral, agent, adopting, moral, standards, mores, process, internal, transformation, relatively, rare, event, person, normal, development, involves, decision, that, both, . In philosophy moral conversion is an existential change in the person who is perceived as the moral agent adopting new moral standards or mores in a process of internal transformation Moral conversion is a relatively rare event in a person s normal development It involves a decision that is both conscious and existentialist i e based on critical questioning 1 Moral conversion is based on the internalist view of morality 2 Contents 1 As an existential event 2 As self transcendence 3 See also 4 Notes 5 ReferencesAs an existential event editThe process of moral conversion was described by Lawrence Kohlberg of the University of Chicago who developed the so called Lawrence Kohlberg s stages of moral development Six classes of moral conversion were identified based on progressively higher and higher levels of moral reasoning beginning with the preconventional level of a child and concluding with the postconventional or autonomous level of an adult aware of ethical principles guiding universally moral behaviour 3 Notably the notion of moral conversion has been distinguished from the theory of moral development per se by Walter E Conn of Villanova University and John C Gibbs of the Ohio State University 4 Moral conversion according to Conn and Gibbs involves critical questioning and therefore differs from any spontaneous moral development Kohlberg It results in the setting forth of the self chosen values Conn which bring the existential dimension to the transforming process 5 Alfredo J Mac Laughlin of St Ambrose University defines moral conversion by the frequent occurrence of the sharp turn conversions resulting from the presence of free will which differ from the natural spontaneous development taking place in incremental stages Kohlberg 6 The most significant aspect of moral conversion is the withdrawal from the moral convictions of the past which is based on critical self appropriation or the critical discovery of oneself 7 It depends on the sense of authenticity beyond the possibility of predictions 8 As self transcendence editBernard Lonergan explains that moral conversion is not moral perfection It is the withdrawal from self enclosure or the shift from personal satisfaction criterion to values that transcend oneself or one s own group interests Moral conversion according to Lonergan is one of three different types of conversion along with the intellectual and the religious conversion 9 From a causal point of view it is the difference between varying levels of consciousness leading to a higher sense of responsibility for the world 10 See also editEnlightenment RedemptionNotes edit Mac Laughlin 2008 p 194 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 7 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 203 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 205 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 219 224 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 234 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 250 Mac Laughlin 2008 p 253 Conn 1982 sfn error no target CITEREFConn1982 help Doran 2011 p 13 18 References editMac Laughlin Alfredo J 2008 Conversion The Etymological Context Narratives of Hope A Philosophical Study of Moral Conversion Loyola University p 476 ISBN 978 0549840107 retrieved October 6 2012 Doran Robert M 2011 Moral Conversion from and to PDF file direct download 61 8 KB What Does Bernard Lonergan Mean by Conversion University of Toronto Press p 20 retrieved October 7 2012 Conn Walter E amp Wolski Conn Joann 1982 Beyond Self satisfaction Spirituality Today 34 4 303 311 Conversion as Self Transcendence Exemplified in the Life of St Therese of Lisieux archived from the original on January 21 2001 retrieved October 9 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Moral conversion amp oldid 1145118442, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
