Date

5-22-2024

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Christine Saba

Keywords

Christian-educated graduate student, intuition, morals, moral foundations theory, moral courage

Disciplines

Education | Educational Leadership

Abstract

This purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of demonstrating moral courage in the workplace when confronted with an ethical dilemma for post-graduate students of Christian-based educational institutions on the East Coast. The moral foundations theory by Haidt and Craig guided this study to find the innate responses that frame these graduates' lived experiences to understand better external influences, intrapersonal conflict, and rationale for the willingness to demonstrate moral courage when confronted with a moral dilemma. A sample of 10 graduates from Christian-based institutions completed the Moral Foundations Questionnaire, participated in one-to-one interviews, and attended a focus group to identify and validate significant themes about the phenomena. Data analysis established the themes and meaning of the phenomena. Results corroborated three themes: 1. Initial reaction/Intuition, 2. Moral Foundation, and 3. Moral Courage. Triangulation provided a method to confirm the results' authenticity and credibility concerning these graduates' lived experiences. One-year post-graduates experience an intuitive response in the presence of a moral dilemma. Their decision to act on this reaction is influenced by a Christian education and the value of honoring God. Moral courage is present with faith and confidence in one’s Christian values.

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