In the expanding circle model, what is the sequence of moral concern?

In the expanding circle model, what is the sequence of moral concern?

• A. Self-interest, friendship, tribalism, care for all beings with experiences
• B. Self-interest, tribalism, friendship, care for all beings with experiences
• C. Care for all beings with experiences, self-interest, friendship, tribalism
• D. Self-interest, care for all beings with experiences, friendship, tribalism

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how moral concern expands outward from the individual to others. In the expanding circle model, we begin with self-interest, then extend our concern to people we care about—our friends, then to our larger in-group or tribe, and finally to all beings capable of experiencing pain or joy. This sequence—self, then close relationships, then the broader group, then all sentient beings—fits the pattern of gradually widening circles of obligation. The other sequences would jump to universal concern too early or reorder the intermediate steps, which doesn’t align with how the model describes moral attention growing from narrow to broad.

The idea being tested is how moral concern expands outward from the individual to others. In the expanding circle model, we begin with self-interest, then extend our concern to people we care about—our friends, then to our larger in-group or tribe, and finally to all beings capable of experiencing pain or joy. This sequence—self, then close relationships, then the broader group, then all sentient beings—fits the pattern of gradually widening circles of obligation. The other sequences would jump to universal concern too early or reorder the intermediate steps, which doesn’t align with how the model describes moral attention growing from narrow to broad.