Moral Standards and Rules PDF

MORAL and NON- MORAL STANDARDS AND RULES  RULES are prescribed guides for conduct or action. They maintain order, get things done, and allow us to live with each other.  The Usual Rules in our Lives Etiquette – standards by which we judge manners to be good o...

MORAL and NON- MORAL STANDARDS AND RULES  RULES are prescribed guides for conduct or action. They maintain order, get things done, and allow us to live with each other.  The Usual Rules in our Lives Etiquette – standards by which we judge manners to be good or bad. Legal - standards by which we judge legal right and wrong; in a democracy, it is formulated by representatives of the people. Language – standards by which we judge what is grammatically right or wrong; it evolves through use. Aesthetics - standards by which we judge good and bad art; usually dictated by a small circle of art connoisseurs. Athletic - standards by which we judge how good or bad a game is. Why the need to distinguish moral standards from non- moral standards? Different societies have different moral beliefs and that our beliefs are deeply influenced by our own culture and context. Different culture have different moral standards. What is a matter of moral indifference, that is, a matter of taste in one culture may be a matter of moral significance in another. Now, the danger here is that one culture may impose its own cultural standard on others, which may result in clash in cultural values and beliefs. How can we address this cultural conundrum? People have to understand the difference between moral standards and non- moral ones (through the aid of principles and theories in ethics), to identify fundamental ethical values that may guide our actions. Moral standards are norms that individuals or groups have about the kinds of actions believed to be morally right and wrong, as well as the values placed on what we believed to be morally good or morally bad. Moral standards normally promote “the good”, that is, the welfare and well being of humans as well as animals and the environment Norms + Values = Moral standards Norms - general rules about actions or behaviors (Example: killing innocent people is absolutely wrong) Values - enduring beliefs about what is good and desirable, or not (Example: helping the poor is good)  Moral Standards and their Characteristics Moral Standards and their Characteristics They deal with matters we think can seriously injure or benefit humans, animals, and the environment, such as child abuse, rape, and murder. Moral standards rest on the adequacy of the reasons that are taken to support and justify them. They are overriding, that is, they take precedence over other standards and considerations, especially of self- interest; They are based on impartial considerations. Hence, moral standards are fair and just; and They are associated with special emotions (such as guilt and shame) and vocabulary (such as right, wrong, good, and bad).  NON-MORAL STANDARDS Non-moral standards refer to standards by which we judge what is good or bad and right or wrong in a non-moral way. Examples of non-moral standards are standards of etiquette by which we judge manners as good or bad, standards we call the law by which we judge something as legal or illegal, and standards of aesthetics by which we judge art as good or rubbish. Non-moral standards are matters of taste or preference. Violation of said standards also does not pose any threat to human well being.  Moral standard says: 1. “Do not harm innocent people” 2. “Don’t steal” Non-moral standard says: 1. “Don’t text while driving” 2. “Don’t talk while the mouth is full”.  CATEGORIES OF ETHICAL STANDARDS The Utilitarian Approach - most good or does the least harm, produces the greatest balance of good over harm. The Rights Approach - protects and respects the moral rights of those affected. The Fairness or Justice Approach - all people should be treated equally. The Common Good Approach - life in community is a good in itself and our actions should contribute to that life. The Virtue Approach - ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity.