Module 3: Moral Standards and Human Freedom

Moral Standards

• Concerned with the goodness or badness of human acts
• Are distinct from non-moral standards
• Guide human conduct based on values and principles

Non-Moral Standards

• Example: standards of etiquette, fashion, or art

Human Act

• Involves intellect and will
• Voluntary act, reflecting conscious choice
• Not just physical movement, but a deliberate act

Voluntariness in Animals

• Considered incapable of true voluntariness
• Lack the capacity for reasoning and choice, acting based on instinct

Voluntariness in Human Acts

• Present in every human act
• Reflects conscious thought and free will
• Essential element for moral accountability

Voluntary Acts

• Involve deliberate choice and conscious action
• Not involuntary or coerced, reflecting freedom of will

Man as Moral Being

• Rationality distinguishes man as the only Moral Being
• Ability to reason and make moral judgments sets him apart

Man as Highest Form of Animal

• Distinguishable by his reason and intellect
• Capacity for abstract thought and moral reasoning elevates him

Moral Standards vs. Non-Moral Standards

• Understanding the difference is crucial for establishing ethical guidelines
• Moral standards govern human conduct, non-moral standards address social conventions

Cultural Conundrum

• Understanding the difference between moral and non-moral standards helps address cultural conundrums
• Different cultures have different standards, but fundamental moral principles remain the same

Ratio

• Ratio refers to reason, which defines man as a rational animal
• Capacity for critical thinking and moral judgment is what distinguishes him

Intellect and Will

• Intellect guides actions, while the will chooses and carries them out
• They are interrelated and work together

Disposition

• The disposition of a person doing an activity regardless of whether they like it or not is called "Habit"

**** Emotions

• Refer to positive emotions like love, desire, delight, and negative emotions like hatred, horror, sadness, and fear

Involuntary Actions

• Made without conscious control, like involuntary reflexes or actions under duress

Plan of God

• The term used to refer to the plan of God in creating the universe is called "Divine Providence"

Universal Moral Truths

• Recognized by all men regardless of creed, race, culture, or historical circumstances
• Fundamental principles of morality are universal and unchanging

Stewart Dugald

• "The original principle of our constitution" refers to the fundamental principle of human nature, often associated with reason or morality

Hedonism

• Believes that pleasure alone is the primary purpose of man's existence

Moral Rationalism

• Asserts that moral rules and principles can be known through reason alone

Moral Relativism

• Asserts that moral rules and principles are made by humans, not by a higher power like God

Moral Evolutionism

• Relates to evolution by suggesting that moral beliefs have evolved over time

Emotivism

• Believes that moral beliefs come from emotions and feelings