Moral intensity
Moral intensity describes characteristics of an issue that affect how strongly its ethical significance is perceived. Jones’s model considers the scale of consequences, agreement about the issue, likelihood of effects, how soon they occur, proximity to affected people and concentration of harm or benefit. These factors help explain attention and judgment; they do not determine whether conduct is right.
Worked example
A manager reacts urgently to an imminent injury affecting a nearby colleague but overlooks a larger, less visible supply-chain harm abroad. The contrast illustrates perceived proximity and immediacy without making the distant harm ethically unimportant.
Common mistake
Confusing intensity with the moral position someone adopts, or claiming that greater intensity guarantees ethical behaviour.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |