Basic information | |
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Statements: | 18 |
Duration: | 3–5 minutes |
Type: | Self-assessment |
Instructions: | The moral alignment test is inspired by the alignment system used in the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) role-playing game, designed to assess ethical and moral beliefs and values. Based on 18 statements and a 10-point scale, you need to indicate your agreement for each statement. |
Modern psychology emphasizes studying individuals’ ethical and moral orientation, examining beliefs, values, and behaviors on a spectrum. The concept of moral alignment involves understanding goodness and behaviors based on ethical and moral beliefs. [1] Giacalone, …” The Paradoxical Implications of Individual Differences in Ethical Orientation. J Bus Ethics 137, 491–506 (2016).” In 1974, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) organized characters based on two crucial factors: their ethics (‘whether they are lawful, neutral, or chaotic’) and their morals (‘whether they are good, neutral, or evil’) results in nine possible alignments. [2] Wright, Jennifer Cole,….. “Imaginative role-playing as a medium for moral development: Dungeons & Dragons provides moral training.”
9 Moral Alignments
Lawful Good refers to behavioral tendencies with a strict code of ethics and priority to societal order and justice. Individuals who have a high level of Lawful Good dominance, have a strong sense of honor, and justice, and prioritize the code of conduct. They have a strong desire to do what is right for the benefit of others. Some actions might be full of challenges and may require sacrifice, but these people do not hesitate and believe in a moral code that guides their decisions. They respect laws and rules and believe in a society that is well-structured and organized for the well-being of everyone. They are honest and uphold their commitments. They always feel a sense of duty to help others and engage in kindness and protection of other’s well-being. While confronting evil they follow the peaceful way to solve conflicts and believe in diplomacy and cooperation over aggression.
Neutral Good refers to behavioral tendencies valuing kindness and the well-being of others. They are naturally desirable to do what is morally right. If the societal normal conflicts with their moral principles they may refuse to follow them. While people with Lawful Good character may follow the law and code of conduct strictly, people with Neutral Good may refuse to adhere to them, if they perceive these rules hindering their ability to do good. The priority is personal freedom, equality, and striving to make positive changes for the wellbeing of others.
Chaotic Good refers to individuals who are morally good but tend to refuse or adhere to rules and social norms. They always resist bonding themselves to adhere to strict rules and laws. They always try to promote the well-being of others and try to fight injustice without any intention for personal gain. They have a strong desire to bring positive changes in society and fight for oppression even by breaking the established normal. They believe in personal freedom and autonomy. They desire to bring changes in a society where they feel controlled or dictated. They may also use methods or take risks to achieve goals that they perceive as good for the well-being of everyone.
Lawful Neutral refers to individuals who adhere to orders and law, often guided by a personal code of conduct and set of laws. They believe in order, structure, and social norms and value an environment where everyone adheres to their roles and responsibilities. They believe in following established laws and rules. They do not give priority to personal feelings over their duties and responsibilities. They are loyal to organizations and institutions and value discipline. They expect strict discipline from others and prioritize productivity and respect for authority. They also emphasize following traditions and customs.
True Neutral refers to the alignment with nature on both ethical and moral axes. People high in this alignment prioritize balance and neutrality, they try to avoid extremes. They believe in personal freedom and consider both good and evil when they have to make any decisions. They stay out of any conflicts and are always open to new ideas and traditional values. They believe in the world whether everyone has equal opportunity and believe in the importance of maintaining harmony. They always prioritize and adopt a “live-and-let-live” attitude.
Chaotic Neutral refers to the individual who is guided by their own desires rather than adhering to strict ethics and moral principles. They are unpredictable, self-interested, and always refuse to adhere to social norms and structure. They always believe in personal freedom and autonomy, driven by their own desires and interests. They prioritize making decisions based on the situation and setting self-interest goals. They believe in questioning and challenging established rules and authority. They enjoy the thrill and making their own way in the world. They may lie a lot and use manipulative tactics when they feel it serves their interests. They do not want to be dictated or guided by others.
Lawful Evil refers to the individual who is willing to use order and authority to achieve their goals. They are often manipulative and exploit the legal system to serve their self-interests. They see power and control as an important tool for achieving their goals. They respect authority and understand the importance of rules and laws in maintaining social norms. They use strategic thinking and engage in manipulation for long-term consequences. They are often Machiavellian in their approaches and use cunning to achieve objectives. They do not hesitate to sacrifice others for their personal gain and use fear and intimidation to control others.
Neutral Evil refers to the individual who is self-centered and willing to engage in actions that are primarily for personal gain. They do not prioritize the well-being of others rather they believe in their own well-being. They are naturally skilled in manipulation and deception. They prioritize power over emotions and they do not hesitate to hurt others.
Chaotic Evil refers to the disobeying of social norms and destructive behaviors. People with this Alignment have a tendency to cause chaos and harm to others without concern for laws and norms. They believe in fulfilling their own desires and pleasures without concern for the consequences of their actions. They act impulsively and take risks to achieve their desired goals. They do not believe in trust and loyalty when they have to build interpersonal relations. They do not feel empathy and have no sympathy for others. They take pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others.
References
Giacalone, Robert A., Carole L. Jurkiewicz, and Mark Promislo. “Ethics and well-being: The paradoxical implications of individual differences in ethical orientation.” Journal of Business Ethics 137 (2016): 491-506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2558-8 ↩
Wright, Jennifer Cole, Daniel E. Weissglass, and Vanessa Casey. “Imaginative role-playing as a medium for moral development: Dungeons & Dragons provides moral training.” Journal of Humanistic Psychology 60.1 (2020): 99-129. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167816686263 ↩