시장중심적 사회의 도덕성과 인지부조화

Abstract

This study examines ethical issues arising from the emergence of market values due to economic globalization and how market values have affected individual and communal value perception and morality through cognitive dissonance theory. The rapid spread of economic globalization since the 1990s has pushed the boundaries between countries toward a unified space. Although positive expectations such as expansion of global markets, global economic growth, efficient use of resources, and wealth creation were formed, negative results such as deepening inequality between countries and individuals, creating unemployment due to rapid economic fluctuations, and many other ethical issues have arisen. Market value, which is a major value in our globalized society, has shaken individual’s conventional beliefs and values, and people may act inconsistent with their beliefs for profit. L. Festinger explains individual's contradictory attitudes and behaviors through the cognitive dissonance theory. Dissonance occurs when two or more cognitive factors are inconsistent, and the presence of dissonance causes psychological discomfort. Cognitive dissonance theory explains that changes in behavior or perception occur and new opinions are added to decrease the psychological discomfort due to dissonance. The underlying concept of this theory is that humans are trying to achieve internal harmony and consistency through their opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and values. It tells us that the criteria for valuation start with our own beliefs. The perception defined by Festinger is oneself knowing about oneself, oneself’s behavior, and one’s surroundings. Therefore, we need to form a positive perception of ourselves, of “who I am,” and realize what the ultimate purpose of our choices and actions that we pursue are, to build a firm belief in the purpose of our lives. At this point, virtue ethics provides us a good purpose in life. Virtue is an integrated concept that includes the cognitive aspect of good, affective aspect of feeling and being motivated for good, and behavioral aspect of practicing the good. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of our lives, which is the practice of virtue for good life, will give a guideline to choices and actions we make in the situation of moral dissonance.