Foundation profile
Progressivism +1.75Item-by-item answers
Whether or not someone suffered emotionally
I consider whether someone suffered emotionally because preventing harm and alleviating others' distress is central to moral evaluation; emotional suffering signals real harm even when there's no physical injury. Other factors like intentions and fairness also matter, so this is a very important consideration but not always the only one.
Whether or not some people were treated differently from others
I consider differential treatment a major indicator of fairness and potential injustice, so I pay attention to whether people were treated differently when judging right and wrong. Other factors like harm and intent also matter, but unequal treatment often signals bias or unfairness that strongly influences my moral evaluations.
Whether or not someone’s action showed love for his or her country
I usually judge right and wrong based on harm, fairness, and individual rights rather than patriotic sentiment. However, whether someone shows love for their country can be a minor factor in contexts involving civic duty or national service, so it is occasionally relevant.
Whether or not someone showed a lack of respect for authority
I consider whether someone showed a lack of respect for authority to be a relevant factor because social order and rules often help coordinate behavior and protect others. However, it's not the sole or dominant factor—context and the reasons behind the disrespect matter, so it influences but doesn't determine my moral judgment.
Whether or not someone violated standards of purity and decency
I primarily judge right and wrong based on harm, fairness, and consent, so purity/decency is not my main consideration. However, violations of purity can matter in contexts that affect social trust, health, or respect, so it has moderate relevance.
Whether or not someone was good at math
Whether someone is good at math is unrelated to the moral quality of their actions or intentions. Except in specific cases where competence matters for outcomes, math ability does not influence judgments of right and wrong.
Whether or not someone cared for someone weak or vulnerable
I consider how people treat the weak or vulnerable central to moral judgments because protecting those who cannot protect themselves reflects empathy and fairness. If someone fails to care for vulnerable people, I usually view that as morally wrong.
Whether or not someone acted unfairly
Fairness determines whether people are treated justly and whether actions create unjust advantages or harms, so I weigh it heavily when judging right and wrong. Perceptions of fairness strongly influence my sense of justice and moral responsibility.
Whether or not someone did something to betray his or her group
Betraying one's group damages trust and cooperative norms, so it often factors into my judgments about right and wrong, especially when obligations or loyalties are at stake. However, concerns like harming others or fairness usually take precedence, so betrayal is not the single decisive factor.
Whether or not someone conformed to the traditions of society
Traditions often provide useful social norms and stability that can inform moral judgments, especially when they promote cohesion or proven practices. However, I also consider outcomes, fairness, and individual well-being, so tradition is not the decisive factor.
Whether or not someone did something disgusting
Disgust can influence my moral judgments in specific contexts, especially when actions seem contaminating or violate purity norms, but it is not the primary factor I use. I rely more on harm, fairness, and intent when deciding right and wrong, so disgust only sometimes tips my judgment.
Whether or not someone was cruel
I view cruelty as a central moral consideration because it signals intentional harm and unnecessary suffering, which I strongly try to prevent or condemn. Whether someone was cruel heavily influences my judgment of how wrong their actions were.
Whether or not someone was denied his or her rights
Whether someone's rights were denied is a central consideration for me because rights reflect respect for individuals and their autonomy. If rights are violated, I tend to judge the action as wrong or more morally serious.
Whether or not someone showed a lack of loyalty
Loyalty to a group can influence my moral judgments, particularly when actions affect group cohesion or obligations to family and friends. However, I generally weigh considerations of harm and fairness more heavily, so loyalty matters but is not usually the primary factor.
Whether or not an action caused chaos or disorder
I consider whether an action causes chaos or disorder as an important piece of information because social stability supports safety, trust, and cooperation. It influences my moral judgments but is not usually the single deciding factor compared with harm or fairness.
Whether or not someone acted in a way that God would approve of
I do not rely on religious approval when judging actions; my moral evaluations are grounded in considerations like harm, fairness, and wellbeing. Whether an action would please God is not a factor in my assessments of right and wrong.
Compassion for those who are suffering is the most crucial virtue.
Compassion for those who are suffering guides moral action and promotes social harmony by motivating help and reducing harm. While other virtues like justice and honesty are important, compassion is foundational because it directly addresses suffering and fosters empathy-driven behavior.
When the government makes laws, the number one principle should be ensuring that everyone is treated fairly.
Laws that prioritize fairness help protect individual rights and prevent arbitrary or discriminatory treatment, which is essential for legitimacy and trust in government. While other goals like safety or efficiency matter, fairness should be the primary guiding principle when making laws.
I am proud of my country’s history.
I feel a sense of pride in my country's historical achievements and cultural contributions, but I also recognize its mistakes and injustices. Because of that mix of accomplishment and moral complexity, I can't strongly endorse unqualified pride.
Respect for authority is something all children need to learn.
I think teaching respect for legitimate authority helps children learn social norms, cooperation, and safety. However, it should be balanced with critical thinking so they don't follow authority blindly.
People should not do things that are disgusting, even if no one is harmed.
Disgust is often subjective and culturally shaped, so I don't think something should be forbidden solely because some people find it revolting when it causes no harm. At the same time, disgust can reflect valid social or health concerns in some contexts, so it shouldn't be dismissed entirely.
It is better to do good than to do bad.
I believe choosing actions that benefit others and minimize harm promotes well-being, cooperation, and trust in society. Therefore, it is generally preferable to do good rather than bad, though specifics can matter in complex cases.
One of the worst things a person could do is hurt a defenseless animal.
I believe causing harm to beings that cannot defend themselves is morally wrong because it inflicts unnecessary suffering. Hurting defenseless animals shows cruelty and a lack of empathy and should be avoided and condemned.
Justice is the most important requirement for a society.
Justice—fair laws, equal treatment, and accountability—underpins trust and stability and is essential for protecting rights and enabling cooperation. Still, a well-functioning society also requires resources, effective governance, and social cohesion, so justice is central but not the sole requirement.
People should be loyal to their family members, even when they have done something wrong.
I believe loyalty to family is important for maintaining support networks and helping members improve after mistakes, so one should generally stand by family. However, loyalty should not require condoning harmful actions or preventing accountability when wrongdoing is serious.
Men and women each have different roles to play in society.
I believe men and women should have equal opportunities and not be restricted to fixed societal roles; abilities and preferences vary by individual more than by gender. While cultural traditions sometimes assign different expectations, I disagree with a blanket statement that they each have different roles to play.
I would call some acts wrong on the grounds that they are unnatural.
I don't typically consider 'unnaturalness' a reliable moral criterion; many beneficial actions (medical interventions, contraception, or consensual relationships) are unnatural but not wrong. I tend to judge acts by harm, consent, and well-being rather than whether they occur in nature.
It can never be right to kill a human being.
I believe killing is generally wrong and ought to be avoided, but there are exceptional circumstances—such as self‑defense, preventing a mass atrocity, or certain wartime situations—where taking a life may be morally permissible. Therefore the absolute claim that it can never be right feels too strict.
I think it’s morally wrong that rich children inherit a lot of money while poor children inherit nothing.
Large inheritances concentrate life-changing advantages based on birth rather than merit, which perpetuates inequality and reduces fair opportunities for those born into poverty. While family members may understandably want to support one another, the moral cost of vast, unearned wealth disparities is significant.
It is more important to be a team player than to express oneself.
I think prioritizing being a team player usually leads to better outcomes because cooperation and coordination help groups reach shared goals and maintain relationships. Expressing oneself matters, but it can often be balanced or postponed when teamwork is required to make progress.
If I were a soldier and disagreed with my commanding officer’s orders, I would obey anyway because that is my duty.
I believe in the importance of duty and following lawful orders for unit cohesion and safety, but I also think individuals have a moral responsibility to refuse orders they believe are clearly unethical or illegal. Therefore I would not obey automatically just because it was deemed my duty.
Chastity is an important and valuable virtue.
Chastity can be meaningful for some people and cultural or religious communities, but I don't view abstaining from sex as a generally essential or superior moral quality. I prioritize consent, mutual respect, and autonomy over prescribing sexual behavior as a core virtue.