THE ACT

MORAL EMOTIONS | CONCEPTS UNWRAPPED

• Moral judgments and actions are often thought to be based on reason but are largely driven by emotions and intuitions.
• Most brain decisions, including moral ones, are made automatically and intuitively.
• Emotions play a crucial role in encouraging adherence to societal moral rules.
• Self-conscious emotions like guilt, shame, and embarrassment motivate moral behavior and social cooperation.
• Other-condemning emotions such as contempt, anger, and disgust deter immoral actions.
• Witnessing moral actions can inspire others to act generously and helpfully.
• Emotions such as sympathy, compassion, and empathy encourage helping behavior.
• Empathy is considered the most important moral emotion, fostering recognition of others' humanity.
• Dehumanization can be countered with empathy, promoting better moral treatment of others.
• Moral emotions guide us towards right actions but are not infallible and can lead to irrational moral judgments.
• Rationalizations can override moral emotions, leading to immoral actions despite feelings of guilt or shame.
• Practicing mindfulness can help balance emotional and logical responses in moral decision-making.
• Finding the right balance between emotion and logic in moral decisions is challenging but necessary for sound judgment.
HOW TO HAVE MORAL COURAGE & MORAL IMAGINATION?
• Every choice we make changes the world in some small way.
• Before making a choice, countless possibilities exist, each creating a different potential world.
• Identifying the best world to bring into existence requires recognizing all possible options, which is challenging.
• Ethical issues arise from incorrectly framing problems and solutions, such as seeing false dichotomies, addressing symptoms instead of
causes, and assuming others' thoughts and motivations mirror our own.
• Moral imagination is crucial for good ethical decision-making, pushing us beyond obvious answers and default thinking.
• Imagination helps redefine problems accurately, generate empathy, and understand others' values and principles.
• It enables us to find or create the best path forward, not just choose from the most apparent options.
• The best solution often has downsides, and sometimes competing claims cannot be resolved or negative side effects cannot be prevented.
• Decision-making requires moral courage to act on unpleasant choices.
• Acting courageously becomes easier with practice.
• Practical tips include using imagination, preparing for the worst outcomes, and understanding the roots of our concerns.
• Seeking allies can provide support through difficult choices.
MORAL REASONING | ETHICS DEFINED
• Moral reasoning uses critical analysis to determine right or wrong actions in specific situations.
• Both philosophers and psychologists study moral reasoning.
• The brain processes day-to-day decisions similarly to moral decisions.
• Moral reasoning typically involves applying logic and moral theories (e.g., deontology, utilitarianism) to dilemmas.
• People are generally not proficient at moral reasoning, often reaching strong moral conclusions without logical defense (moral
dumbfounding).
• Evidence shows that chosen moral principles or theories are often influenced by emotions, not logic.
• Internal biases and external pressures (e.g., self-serving bias, desire to conform) affect moral reasoning.
• Despite believing we approach ethical dilemmas logically, our reasoning is usually guided by intuitive, emotional reactions.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
• Emotions and feelings are all traits we share as humans. According to an article in the publication Psychology Today, “emotions are multi-
faceted experiences” of “internal subjective experiences, facial expressions and physiological reactions.” Teasing out the feelings and
emotions that people have, and learning why they have them, is an important role for mental health professionals.
• Those interested in exploring the difference between feelings and emotions — and understanding the mind, human behavior, and strategic
ways of helping mental health patients — usually complete advanced programs of study such as a master’s in counseling. This education
is necessary to understand the difference between feelings and emotions from a clinical perspective. Let’s explore that difference, along
with how emotions can impact daily life for many individuals.

Feelings versus Emotions

• Many people use the terms “feeling” and “emotion” as synonyms, but they are not interchangeable. While they have similar elements, there
is a marked difference between feelings and emotions.
• Feelings. Both emotional experiences and physical sensations — such as hunger or pain — bring about feelings, according to Psychology
Today. Feelings are a conscious experience, although not every conscious experience, such as seeing or believing, is a feeling, as
explained in the article.
• Emotions. According to Psychology Today, an emotion “can only ever be felt…through the emotional experiences it gives rise to, even
though it might be discovered through its associated thoughts, beliefs, desires, and actions.” Emotions are not conscious but instead
manifest in the unconscious mind. These emotions can be brought to the surface of the conscious state through extended psychotherapy.
• A fundamental difference between feelings and emotions is that feelings are experienced consciously, while emotions manifest either
consciously or subconsciously. Some people may spend years, or even a lifetime, not understanding the depths of their emotions.

Range of Emotions
• Throughout life, humans experience many emotions. This range of emotions is impacted by such factors as their behavior, the culture they
come from, and their previous traumatic experiences.

How Emotions Impact Behavior

• According to a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR), emotion is a “feedback system whose influence on
behavior is indirect.” While according to the PSPR study, the behavior is used to “pursue (or avoid) anticipated emotional outcomes,”
behavior also “provides feedback and stimulating retrospective appraisal of actions, conscious emotional states [which] can promote
learning and alter guidelines for future behavior.”

How Culture Shapes Emotions

• According to an article from the Association for Psychological Science (APS), research conducted by APS Fellow Jeanne Tsai at Stanford
University shows most people want to “feel more positive than negative.” Yet the emotions that cause a positive experience are shown to
change between cultures, according to the APS article. For example, the positive emotions that “European Americans typically preferred
[were] excitement and elation” while Chinese populations “preferred calm and relaxation more.” This difference is seen in media such as
advertising, which utilizes the positive experience emotions to craft messages for maximum impact.

How Traumatic Experiences Impact Emotions

• Traumatic experiences impact emotions both in the moment and over the long term. According to Psychology Today, “whatever the source,
trauma leaves its imprint on the brain.” For example, a study published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews found a link between
greater brain activity in areas that process fear and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Psychology Today, traumatic
experiences impact our emotions, causing PTSD flashbacks, nightmares and increased fear, anxiety, anger, sadness and guilt.
RELIGION AND ETHICS
Frans de Waal: Morality Without Religion
• Religion is universal, present in all human societies, suggesting it offers societal advantages.
• The existence of God is a less interesting question compared to why religions exist.
• Human morality is considered older than religion; morality did not originate from religion or God.
• Current religions are relatively young (2,000-3,000 years) compared to the much older human species.
• Ancient ancestors likely had moral systems with rules about behavior, fairness, and caring for others.
• Present-day religions may have codified, enforced, or directed pre-existing moral systems.
• Religion might be more necessary in large-scale societies to monitor behavior since not everyone can watch each other.
• Northern Europe, particularly the Netherlands, is experimenting with a largely non-religious society while maintaining moral standards.
• This suggests that a moral society without dominant religion is possible, though it’s uncertain as no society has completely lacked religion.
DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
• Biblical Edicts: Deuteronomy prohibits wearing fabrics of wool and linen mixed, Timothy restricts women from wearing braids or gold chains,
and Leviticus bans tattoos and gossip.
• Source of Morality: For many, the Bible answers where morality originates, seen as a divine rulebook if one believes in God as the creator.
• Divine Command Theory: This ethical theory posits that what is moral is commanded by God. It is one of the oldest and most widespread
theories.
• Simplicity and Foundation: Divine command theory simplifies moral decisions ("ask God") and provides a clear foundation (God's
commands).
• Questionable Edicts: There are many biblical commands that people selectively follow, raising questions about consistency and relevance.
• Euthyphro Problem: Plato's dilemma questions if actions are right because God commands them or if God commands them because they
are right. Both options present issues:
• First Horn: Right actions are right because God commands them, implying morality is arbitrary and based on God's whims.
• Second Horn: God commands actions because they are right, suggesting a standard of goodness outside of God, undermining His
omnipotence.
• Issues with the Theory: Divine command theory struggles with determining which biblical commands are binding and how to interpret God's
will.
• Modern Challenges: The Euthyphro Problem and other objections lead many ethicists to reject divine command theory, questioning its
ability to provide consistent moral guidance.
• Alternative Theories: Future discussions will explore other theistic moral theories that might avoid these issues.
RELIGION VS. ETHICS
• Religion and ethics are two distinct but somehow interconnected concepts that play significant roles in shaping human behavior, values,
and societal norms. Let’s explore their differences and connections:

Definition:
• Religion: Religion refers to a system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and moral values centered on the worship of a supernatural entity. It often
involves organized institutions, holly places, and religious leaders.
• Religious beliefs and ethical codes often find their authority in divine or supernatural sources. For example, Followers of a particular religion
like Muslims, they go to mosques and different sacred places like shrines of different saints. In every religion there is also wisdom and
some beneficial sayings but on the other hand there is some violence and hatred being spread among many sects and religions.

Religious wars
• Religion is often seen as a source of comfort in difficult times. People derive their ethical guidelines from sacred texts, teachings of prophets,
or religious authorities.
• Although there are many different religions in the world, they all share some common characteristics. All religions have some sort of
mythology or story about the creation of the world and how man came to be in it. They also usually have a code of ethics or a set of moral
guidelines, as well as rituals and ceremonies that are practiced regularly. Most religions have some kind of social organization, such as
churches or temples, where believers can gather to worship and learn more about their faith.
• One of the most important aspects of religion is that it often gives people a sense of meaning and purpose in life. This can be especially
important for people who may be unable to find meaning in other areas of their lives, such as work or family. Religion may also give people
comfort in times of difficulty and provide them with a support network of like-minded people.

Ethics:
• Ethics, on the other hand, is a branch of philosophy that deals with moral beings; it deals with the humanity for what is right or wrong. It is
concerned with laws that protect the rights of the human and the principles that guide individual and societal behavior.
• Ethics, in a secular context, relies on reasoning, critical thinking, philosophical principles, and societal norms to determine what is morally
right or wrong.
• Ethics is two things. First, ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in
terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the
reasonable obligations to refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin
virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to life, the right to
freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such standards are adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent
and well-founded reasons.
• Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards. As mentioned above, feelings, laws, and social norms
can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one’s standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-
founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure
that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.

HUMANITY
Universality:
• Religion: Different religions have their own unique moral codes and ethical precepts. What is considered moral in one religion may not
align with the beliefs of another.
• Ethics: Ethical principles can be more universal and apply across various cultures and belief systems. Certain ethical theories, such as
utilitarianism or Kantian ethics, attempt to provide universal guidelines for moral decision-making.

Basis of Morality:
• Religion: Moral values in religious contexts are often derived from the teachings and commands of a higher power. Believers follow these
moral guidelines as a way to fulfill their religious duties and attain spiritual growth or salvation.
• Ethics: Ethical systems, particularly in secular ethics, may draw from a variety of sources, including human reason, empathy, societal
values, and considerations of well-being and fairness.
Relationship:
• From an academic perspective, there is a clear distinction between religion and ethics. Religion is usually based on faith, while ethics is
based on reason and logic. Religion often involves rituals and commandments that may be blindly followed without questioning their validity
or reason. Ethics, on the other hand, is always open to question and discussion. It is based on the principle that people can use their reason
to find the best path for their lives.
• This distinction is important because it can help us better understand the world around us. For example, when we see someone committing
a heinous act, we can ask ourselves whether they did so because of their religious beliefs or because of their ethical beliefs. If it was their
religious beliefs that drove them to do this act, we may need to try to understand that religion to understand why they did what they did. If
it was their ethical beliefs that drove them to do the deed, then we can try to figure out what led them to believe that it was the right thing
to do.
• Another key difference is that religion presupposes a divine command, whereas ethics doesn’t. Religion assumes that there is an objective
moral order emanating from a higher power, whether it’s a deity or some other force. Ethics, on the other hand, is a value System that
people create for themselves.

Ethics Is a Matter of Personal Choice, While Religion Is Often a Matter of Public Confession
• In recent decades, the issue of ethics has moved to the forefront of public consciousness. This is largely due to technological advancement
that have enabled a greater degree of transparency in both personal and professional lives. While many argue that ethics is a matter of
personal choice, others claim that religious beliefs should take precedence over ethical considerations.
• One of the key arguments in support of the idea that ethics is a personal choice is that there’s no single correct answer to ethical questions.
What might be considered ethical in one situation may not be ethical in another.
• For example, some people believe that it’s unethical to lie, while others believe that lying is sometimes necessary. There’s no single correct
answer to this question, and it’s up to each individual to decide what they consider ethical.
• Religion, on the other hand, often involves a public confession of beliefs. For example, many religions require their followers to recite certain
prayers or creeds. Although these prayers and creeds leave some room for personal interpretation, they usually contain a set of beliefs
that all members of the religion agree upon. This means that religion often takes precedence over individual beliefs, which can lead to
conflict if someone disagrees with the official stance of their religion.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is religion the only tool that makes you human?**

• No, humanity and moral being define human identity, not religion.
• Religion has roots in violence and hatred, leading to wars, minority rights violations, and extremist thoughts.
• Humanity is multifaceted and includes a broad range of attributes beyond religious beliefs.
**Does religion play an important role in our life?**

• The role of religion varies widely among individuals and cultures.

• For some, it plays a crucial role; for others, it has little to no impact.
**What does this mean for believers and non-believers?**

• Believers: Religious morality provides a set of principles based on faith.

• Non-believers: Ethics, guided by reason, can similarly provide a moral framework.
• Both systems aim to help individuals live meaningful lives.
**Can you have ethics without religion?**

• Yes, ethics can exist independently of religion.

• People can create personal codes of ethics based on their morals and values.
• Religious teachings can inspire ethical codes, but they are not necessary.
• Living ethically involves treating others well and living according to one's values, whether religious or not.
**What are some ethical issues in religion?**

• Discrimination: Some religious teachings promote discrimination against minorities such as women, LGBT people, or certain religious
groups.
• Justification of Harm: Religion can be used to justify harmful actions, such as violence and war.
 • Unethical Behavior: Some use religion as an excuse for crimes, believing repentance will absolve them, leading to issues like child abuse,
sexual assault, and terrorism.
Conclusion

• While religion and ethics can intersect and influence each other, they are not synonymous. One can be ethical without adhering to a specific
religion, and religious individuals may follow different ethical principles based on their interpretation of their faith’s teachings. The
relationship between religion and ethics is complex and often subject to philosophical and theological discussions. We can see that there
is a clear distinction between religion and ethics. Religion is based on faith, while ethics is based on reason. Even though both concepts
may have overlapping features, they ultimately serve different purposes in society.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHICS AND RELIGION

Ethics vs. Religion:
• Ethics focus on decisions about right and wrong, stemming from ancient Greek philosophy.
• They investigate questions like "What is good or bad?" and "What actions should be taken in moral dilemmas?"
• Ethics serve as decision-making tools to guide human morality, defining concepts like virtue, vice, justice, and crime.

Religion and Ethics:

• Religion and ethics are often conflated, with religions claiming their belief systems as the best way to live.
• Religions vary in liberalism and conservatism but generally see their faith as a path to enlightenment and salvation.

Universal Nature of Ethics:

• Ethics are universal and can be used by people of any religious belief, including atheists.
• Unlike religion, ethics are based on logic and reason, not tradition or religious injunctions.

Differences in Approach:
• Religion often moralizes behavior through commandments like "Thou Shalt Not."
• Ethics do not moralize; they guide actions based on logical reasoning about what is good or bad.

Complexity of Ethical Decision-Making:

• Ethical decisions are complicated by personal circumstances, culture, finances, ethnicity, gender, age, and other factors.
• The desirable path may have negative consequences, and the perilous path may do the most good.
• Doing what is right is harder than doing what is expedient or convenient.

MILLENIALS AND GEN ZS

MAKE WAY FOR GENERATION Z IN THE WORKPLACE
Generation Z Overview:
- Entering the workforce, seen as "sober, industrious, and driven by money," but also "socially awkward and timid."
- Risk-averse, more diverse, prefer working independently, and judged on personal merit.
- Different from previous generations, born after 1995, starting to graduate college.
- Caution against over-generalizing generational traits; individuals are complex.

Characteristics and Education:

- Most diverse and highly educated generation.
- Less job experience than previous generations at the same age.
- Higher college attendance rates compared to millennials.

Workforce Integration and Challenges:

- Employers may not significantly adjust management styles for Gen Z.
- Generational differences impact succession planning and knowledge transfer.
- Managers often lack focus on customizing approaches for specific generations.

Technology and Communication:

- Comfortable with technology, sometimes lacking in face-to-face communication skills.
- Different expectations regarding formality and authority relationships.
Advice for Generation Z:
- Build networks and relationships, including mentors.
- Seek feedback and understand workplace norms.
- Recognize the importance of in-person communication.

Managerial Insights:
- Understand generational differences but avoid rigid categorizations.
- Appreciate the unique attributes and challenges of younger workers.
- Engage in mentoring and career development to integrate generational diversity.

Parenting Influence:
- Increased parental involvement might lead to more cautious and direction-following workers.
- Changes in parenting practices could affect Gen Z’s independence and work behavior.

Practical Advice:
- New workers should be attentive, ask questions, and respect workplace dynamics.
- Managers should be aware of their expanded roles and lack of specific training in supervision.

THE CHALLENGE AND PROMISE OF GENERATION Z

Generation Z Characteristics:
- Shaped by historical events: 9/11, Great Recession of 2008, and COVID-19 pandemic.
- Estimated to make up 24% of the U.S. workforce in 2020, with this percentage increasing as baby boomers retire.
- Hard-wired to the internet, skeptical about job security due to parents' struggles post-2008 and COVID-19 job losses.

Traits and Promises:

- Highly adaptable to new technology, data-savvy, and driven to make a difference.
- Champions of mental health, recognizing the importance of mental well-being due to social media influences.

Generational Comparison:
- Baby boomers (1946-1964) had no internet.
- Gen Xers (1965-1979) had the internet in adulthood.
- Millennials (1980-1999) grew up with early internet.
- Gen Zers (post-1999) grew up with advanced internet and social media, shaping their identities.

Mental Health Awareness:

- Gen Z is open about mental health issues and seeks therapy and open discussions.
- Importance of supportive work environments and robust mental health benefits for employee retention.
- 75% of Gen Zers left jobs for mental health reasons, highlighting the need for employers to provide strong mental health support.

Impact of COVID-19:
- Job losses, canceled internships, and altered educational experiences have significantly affected Gen Z.

Tips for Employers:

1. **Offer competitive mental health benefits:** Ensure quality mental health services and consider adding employee assistance programs
(EAPs).
2. **Appeal to their sense of higher purpose:** Emphasize mission and vision statements, offer paid volunteer time, and hold charity events.
3. **Help with student loans:** Offer financial assistance for student debt, appealing to Gen Z’s financial concerns post-pandemic.

Job Retention Insights:

- Despite being labeled "job-hoppers," a 2020 survey indicates Gen Z plans to stay at jobs for an average of six years, with potential for longer
tenure if well-supported.
FIVE UNDENIABLE TRUTHS ABOUT MARKETING TO GEN-Z
Adapt Marketing Strategies:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered Gen-Z’s perspectives on work, school, and socializing, impacting pre-COVID marketing
strategies.
- Gen-Z comprises 40% of U.S. consumers and wields significant buying power ($143 billion).

Key Insights on Gen-Z Consumers:

1. Entertainment as News:
- 49% of Gen-Z adults get their news from social media (YouTube, TikTok), compared to 17% of older adults.
- Only 12% of Gen-Z gets news from TV, compared to 42% of other adults.
2. Declining Trust in Institutions:
- Trust in major institutions has dropped from 56% to 46%.
- Gen-Z scrutinizes brands intensely for authenticity and sincerity.
3. Brands Must Take a Stand:
- Gen-Z expects brands to take stances on social justice issues.
- Neutrality is seen as a failing strategy.
- Example: NASCAR banning Confederate flags, which gained support from younger fans.
4. Algorithm Training:
- 46% of college students like, comment, or share to influence their social media algorithms.
- Gen-Z is information-savvy and adept at curating their online content.
5. Transparency is Crucial:
- Gen-Z values transparency and can easily verify information.
- Brands need to be upfront about their social justice positions and driving purposes.

MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS:

- Recognize Gen-Z’s resourcefulness and truth-seeking capabilities.
- Earn and maintain trust through authenticity and clear stances on societal issues.
- Help Gen-Z get the content they seek by aligning with their values and interests.
- Be transparent and upfront in all brand communications.
GLOBALIZATION
MORAL PLURALISM | ETHICS DEFINED
Definition of Moral Pluralism:
- Moral pluralism acknowledges conflicting moral views, each deserving respect.
- It promotes open-mindedness when encountering diverse viewpoints.
Analytical Approach:
- Moral pluralists analyze issues from various moral perspectives before making decisions.
- They recognize the complexity of moral issues, understanding that no single approach provides all answers.
- Example:
• Consider a scenario where a woman can save children from a burning building but risks leaving her own child orphaned.
• Moral pluralism asserts that there's no definitive way to determine the better course of action.
Balanced Perspective:
- Moral pluralism finds a middle ground between moral absolutism (which claims there's only one right answer) and moral relativism (which
suggests there's no wrong answer).
- It acknowledges the difficulty in choosing between competing values.