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Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. KizzaEthical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza 11

Module 2: Morality and the Module 2: Morality and the LawLaw

Definition of MoralityDefinition of MoralityMoral TheoriesMoral TheoriesMoral CodesMoral CodesMoral StandardsMoral StandardsGuilt and Conscience Guilt and Conscience Natural LawNatural LawConventional LawConventional LawPurpose of LawsPurpose of LawsMorality and the LawMorality and the Law


Definition of MoralityDefinition of Morality

A set of rules of right conductA set of rules of right conduct

A system used to modify and A system used to modify and regulate our behaviorregulate our behavior

It includes virtues like:It includes virtues like:– Love for othersLove for others– Compassion.Compassion.– Desire for justice.Desire for justice.


Morality …Morality …

It builds character traits in individuals.It builds character traits in individuals.It is group-based in the sense that it is a set of It is group-based in the sense that it is a set of shared rules, principles and duties applicable to shared rules, principles and duties applicable to a group/society and independent of religion.a group/society and independent of religion.It has no reference to social standing of It has no reference to social standing of individuals in the groupindividuals in the groupIt is influenced by other factors like:It is influenced by other factors like:– TimeTime– placeplace


Moral TheoriesMoral Theories

1.1. Each group/society justifies its beliefs in the Each group/society justifies its beliefs in the system (set of rules of right conduct) using system (set of rules of right conduct) using theories- Moral Theories. theories- Moral Theories.

2.2. Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into moral deliberations. rationality and rigor into moral deliberations. (plausibility) (plausibility)

3.3. The rationale for our decisions is based on The rationale for our decisions is based on moral theoriesmoral theories

4.4. Good decisions must ensure:Good decisions must ensure:- sound reasoning sound reasoning - Impartiality Impartiality


Moral Theories…Moral Theories…

5. These must be guided through:5. These must be guided through:- Use of rational intuition- based on moral principlesUse of rational intuition- based on moral principles- Use of reason to achieve the highest moral goodUse of reason to achieve the highest moral good- Ability to distinguish between primary and secondary Ability to distinguish between primary and secondary

moral principles ( general to more specific)moral principles ( general to more specific)- Rational calculation of consequences of action based Rational calculation of consequences of action based

on the decisionon the decision


Moral CodesMoral Codes

Rules or norms within a group or society Rules or norms within a group or society for what is proper behavior for the membersfor what is proper behavior for the membersShared and behavioral patterns (for survival Shared and behavioral patterns (for survival of the group/society)of the group/society)There are some cultural-free and timeless There are some cultural-free and timeless moral codesmoral codesMoral codes exert control over actions of Moral codes exert control over actions of members of that society or groupmembers of that society or groupCompliance/adherence to the group’s Compliance/adherence to the group’s moral code is almost involuntarymoral code is almost involuntary


Moral StandardsMoral Standards

A moral standard is a special moral norm A moral standard is a special moral norm that guides and enforces policythat guides and enforces policyStandards consists of:Standards consists of:

– Enforcement of moral codesEnforcement of moral codes– Self-judgment (Guilt)Self-judgment (Guilt)

Moral standards lax when enforcement Moral standards lax when enforcement and self-judgment declineand self-judgment decline


Guilt and ConscienceGuilt and Conscience

Morality as the system that sets standards for Morality as the system that sets standards for virtuous conduct also contains judgment and virtuous conduct also contains judgment and enforcement mechanismsenforcement mechanismsGuilt is an internal judging and enforcement Guilt is an internal judging and enforcement mechanism that consists of:mechanism that consists of:– Self-judging and punishing oneself for not living up to Self-judging and punishing oneself for not living up to

the moral standardsthe moral standards– Self-forgiveness based on one’s set of “ moral Self-forgiveness based on one’s set of “ moral

standards”standards”

Conscience is the capacity and ability to self-Conscience is the capacity and ability to self-judge based on self moral standardsjudge based on self moral standards


Guilt and Conscience …Guilt and Conscience …

Conscience is motivated by one’s:Conscience is motivated by one’s:– Pride Pride – Compassion Compassion – Empathy Empathy – LoveLove– Personal identification Personal identification

Conscience initiates one’s guilt feelingConscience initiates one’s guilt feeling


LawLaw

Rules of conduct or actions recognized by Rules of conduct or actions recognized by customs or decreed by a formal body and customs or decreed by a formal body and enforceable by some instrument. enforceable by some instrument.

We obey two types of laws: Natural and We obey two types of laws: Natural and Conventional Conventional


Natural LawNatural Law

Unwritten but universalUnwritten but universal consists of rights:consists of rights:– Self-defense (preservation)Self-defense (preservation)– Individual propertyIndividual property– LibertyLiberty

It is a higher form of human law, therefore, It is a higher form of human law, therefore, independent of human preferences and applies independent of human preferences and applies to all rational creatures of natureto all rational creatures of natureBefore organized human societies, humans Before organized human societies, humans existed because of natural law. existed because of natural law. Civilization is based on it.Civilization is based on it.


Conventional LawConventional Law

It is a system of rules created by and for human It is a system of rules created by and for human beings – through, though not always, public beings – through, though not always, public deliberationsdeliberationsIt varies from society to societyIt varies from society to societyIts purpose is to:Its purpose is to:– Protect human life, property and liberty.Protect human life, property and liberty.– prescribe a system or punishments for unlawful acts – prescribe a system or punishments for unlawful acts –

Penal CodePenal Code


Morality and the LawMorality and the Law

Laws are derived from moral codesLaws are derived from moral codes

The differences are stated on pages 8 and The differences are stated on pages 8 and 9. 9.