Question

Define and describe Moral intensity.

Answer 1

Moral intensity is simply the seriousness of the harm that an unethical decision/action can result into. Moral intensity is particularly important in situations where one faces competing ethical values/demands. Moral intensity is a dimension of ethical sensitivity, which can be defined as the degree to which people perceive an issue as an ethical issue. The magnitude of consequences (anticipated impact), concentration of effect (the degree to which outcomes of the action are focused), social consensus (social perception of good and bad), temporal immediacy (time between the action and onset of consequences) and the proximity (psychological or emotional closeness between the decision-maker and the ones affected by the decision) are the factors that affect moral intensity.