Lesson 5

The Moral Standards and Non-moral Standards

Moral standard

1. Moral standards are rules or criteria or guidelines which we use to determine whether an act or human behavior is morally good or
morally bad. So, there is moral issue involved in case of moral standards.

2. But, what makes an act or human behavior morally good or bad? The basis is the compliance or violation of moral laws. Examples
of moral laws: "Thou shalt not kill" "Always tell the truth," "Be honest," "Do not destroy property", "Respect human rights" or
"Respect your parents." Obedience to these rules means the act is morally good. On the contrary, disobedience means the act is
morally bad.

3. Morally bad behavior may refer to showing improper behavior or undesirable character. For example, for someone who values
success more than honesty, cheating is fine for him. Either cheating in business deals, in examinations, in relationships (infidelity,
adultery, betrayal), or in work to gain promotion it is good for him.

Non-moral standard

1. Non-moral standard refers to a set of norms or criteria which do not use morality as basis for judging because the act or human
behavior in question has no moral sense or value. It lacks ethical value. So, in judging such act or behavior, moral values are not
applicable. For examples: the etiquette of eating or standards of cooking in general, these do not involve moral issues.

2. In other words, non-moral standards are simply norms pertaining to taste or preference, not to morality. Here are examples:

a) The males should be the one to propose marriage not females.

b) When you speak pronounce words correctly.

A strict observance of these standards does not make one a morally good person. And its violation does not make one immoral either.

1. Since people have different culture, they have different moral standards; different set of beliefs and values. For example, the
wearing of extremely revealing / sexy dress does not matter in permissive societies like the Western or our own society. For these
societies, there is no moral issue. But in conservative societies or traditional Muslim societies this kind of dress code involves moral
issue and is extremely restricted or prohibited. Or same-sex marriage is acceptable in some societies but totally disliked in others.

2. It is necessary to understand the difference between moral standards and non- moral ones. The reason is that if an issue does not
concern about morals but it is simply a matter of ritual or taste or preference, then we don't have the right to impose sanctions on the
issue. For example: The wearing of hijab, the covering for the hair and neck worn by Muslim women should not be imposed on non-
Muslim women. Likewise, the wearing of hijab by Muslim women should not be prohibited in non-Muslim societies. It is a non-
moral issue.

3. However, if the issue has something to do with morals, like to respect lives or respect human rights, then we have the right to force
others to act properly. In this way, we may find a common moral ground, such as agreeing that stealing, cheating, harming and killing
people are bad.

4. As a way of differentiating moral standards from non-moral ones we have these examples: On a non-moral standard we say "Maligo
jud unta aron dili bahu" or "Brush your teeth" or "Don't talk while the mouth is full".

5. On a moral standard we say "Do not shout at your parents" or "Respect the privacy of other people", or "Do not cheat during
exams".

Indicator between Moral and Non-Moral Standards An indicator whether or not a standard is moral or non-moral lies in its compliance
as distinguished from its non-compliance. Violation of a moral standard causes a sense of guilt or remorse while violation of a non-
moral standard may only cause shame or embarrassment.

Related to this topic are the following important terms to take note: immoral and amoral.

"Immoral" means evil, wicked; it does not follow the principles of right and wrong. An "immoral" person knows what is good and
evil but intentionally does evil acts like murder, sexual assaults, bribing authorities to gain favors, or persecuting the poor and the
defenseless.

"Amoral" implies knowing of what is right and what is wrong but unconcern for the morality of the act. An "amoral" person does not
seem to care whether what he does is morally right or wrong. Example: An amoral attitude (apathetic, indifferent) toward cheating,
illicit sex, telling lies, bullying, hurting people's feeling, cursing, blasphemy. Para sa "amoral" person kini tanan wala ni bali niya.