Module III·Article II·~1 min read
Moral Constructivism: Ethics as a Social Project
Metaethics and Normativity
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Kant and Autonomy
Kantian constructivism: moral principles are not discovered facts of nature, but that which rational beings would construct under certain conditions. The categorical imperative is not a description of reality but a principle that autonomous reason gives itself.
John Rawls (1980) developed this: “Constructivism in Moral Theory” — principles of justice are what we would construct in the “original position” behind a “veil of ignorance.” Morality is the result of a hypothetical contract, not a discovery of objective facts.
Pluralism and Dialogue
Constructivism explains why ethical principles can change and improve: we continue to negotiate about which principles we would accept. This is not relativism — some constructions are better than others because they are more coherent, inclusive, and rationally justified.
For organizations: corporate values are a construct. They are real to the extent that all stakeholders are genuinely involved in them.
Question for reflection: Were your organization’s values truly “constructed” jointly or dictated from above? How does this affect their actual adherence?
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