Final answer:
Cognitive dissonance is the term for the discomfort experienced when one's actions conflict with one's attitudes or beliefs, as described in the work of Daniel Batson and his colleagues. It involves appearing moral while avoiding the costs of being so and can be resolved through various psychological strategies or philosophical reflections on morality and ethical consistency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disjuncture between attitudes and actions, as researched by Daniel Batson and his colleagues, is called cognitive dissonance. This psychological concept describes the discomfort one experiences when one's actions contradict one's self-perception or beliefs. Cognitive dissonance occurs when, for example, a person upholds moral attitudes but their actions do not align with those values, possibly due to the desire to avoid the costs associated with being moral. This may lead to justifying behaviors or changing beliefs to alleviate the psychological discomfort. Strategies such as 'biting the bullet' or achieving reflective equilibrium are ways individuals may attempt to resolve dissonance.
Within moral philosophy, the tension between belief and action intersects with critiques of moral behavior that suggest individuals should genuinely care more about others, as opposed to merely appearing moral. Philosophers like Michelle Moody-Adams reinforce the importance of understanding moral reasoning even in the face of cultural or intra-cultural disagreements, advocating for a cautiously optimistic view on moral objectivity. Despite the tendency towards conformity or defense of self-interest, the moral imperative suggested is to genuinely adapt one's attitudes and actions to be consistent with ethical principles.