CHAPTER 2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MORAL AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS

An ethical dilemma - is a decision-making

What is Ethics? problem between two possible moral imperatives,
Morality understood in an everyday sense broadly neither of which is unambiguously acceptable or
means having some kind of systems of values, deciding preferable. It's sometimes called an ethical paradox
what is right or wrong for oneself. Ethics however takes in moral philosophy.
a much more systematic and critical approach to the
question. The focus of ethics is indeed the notion of What are the 3 level of moral dilemma?
right and wrong, but what it attempts to explain is why Kohlberg defined three levels of moral development:
people make certain moral decisions, how we create  Preconventional
moral systems which tell us how to act; some ethical  conventional, and
theories also aim to tell us what moral standards we  postconventional.
should choose and how we could achieve the good life.
A. Pre- conventional level
The difference between a moral issue and a non-moral  obedience
one.  Self interest
One of the first tasks of moral philosophy is to be clear
on what makes an action moral and differentiate B. Conventional Level
between moral and non-moral judgments. Clearly,  Conformity
telling a friend that she should buy the red coat I have  Law and order
just seen in a shop is not a moral judgment, whereas
telling her that she shouldn’t buy a red coat made by C. Post-conventional level
child slaves in India is. But how can we explain the  Social contract orientation
difference between the two?  Universal human ethics

Moral standards - involve the rules people have about STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
the kinds of actions they believe are morally right and LEVEL STAGE AGE RANGE DESCRIPTION
wrong, as well as the values they place on the kinds of I.Obedience/ infancy No difference
objects they believe are morally good and morally bad. Punishment between doing the
right thing and
Non-moral standards - refer to rules that are unrelated avoiding
to moral or ethical considerations punishment
Self-interest Pre-school Interest shifts to
Do you think the following examples are moral issues? rewards rather than
 We shouldn’t litter the street. punishment – effort
 You shouldn’t tell white lies. is made to secure
 We should watch tv. greatest benefit for
 we shouldn’t experiment on animals. oneself.
 I should get 3 a-levels. II.Conformity School age The “good boy/girl”
and level. Effort is made
The main difference thus, between moral and non-moral interpersonal to secure approval
issues is that moral issues are based on values. accord and maintain
friendly relations
This has led philosophers to make a distinction with others.
between moral, immoral and amoral actions. Authority School age Orientation toward
 an immoral action is that is considered and social fixed rules. The
morally wrong. order purpose of morality
 a moral action is an action which is is maintaining the
considered morally right or good. social order.
 A morally neutral action is one that is III.Social Teens Mutual benefit,
independent from moral judgment; for contract reciprocity. Morally
example, the prudential use of the verb right and legally
should when we say you should eat more right are not always
fruits. the same.
 An amoral action is one performed by Utilitarianism rules
someone who is not morally aware, that is that make life better
doesn’t have any concepts or understanding for everyone.
of right and wrong. Universal Adulthood Morality is based on
principles principles that
What is considered a moral dilemma? transcend mutual
A moral dilemma - is a conflict in which you benefit.
have to choose between two or more actions and
have moral reasons for choosing each action. Foundations of Morality
  Care * loyalty
• Liberty * Authority
• Fairness * Sanctity
Foundations of Morality (Sanche)
• Care - protect others from harm. This foundation
underlies virtues of kindness, gentleness, and
nurturance.
• Liberty - overcome tyranny and oppression
• Fairness - exchanges are reciprocal and
proportional, don’t cheat. These foundations
generate, ideas of justice, rights and autonomy
• Loyalty - support our team and our tribe. This
foundation underlies virtues of patriotism and
self-sacrifice from the group. (one for all, all for
one).
2. Once there is general agreement on factual
matters, try to spell out the moral principles to
which people are at least implicitly, appealing.
Seeking to determine these principles will often
help people clarify their own thinking enough to
reach a solution.
Keep the following rough guidelines in mind when
handling cases of conflicting obligations, ideals and
effects:
1. When two or more moral obligations conflict,
choose the stronger one.
2. When two or more ideals conflict, or when
ideals conflict with obligations honor the more
important one.
3. When rival actions will have different results,
choose the action that produces the greater
good or the lesser harm.

• Authority - respect those above you in hierarchy.

This foundation underlies virtues of leadership
and followership including deference to
legitimate authority and respect for traditions.

• Sanctity - noble things are good, disgusting

things are bad. This foundation underlies
religious notions of striving to live in an elevated,
less carnal, more noble way.

Requirements of Moral Judgement

1. Moral judgements should be logical.
To say that moral judgements should be logical
implies several things. Our moral judgment should
follow logically from their premises:
a. the standard
b. the conduct or policy
c. the moral judgement should be such that a and b
logically entail.
Our goal is to be able to support our moral
judgments with reasons and evidence, rather than
basing them solely on emotion, sentiment or social or
personal preference

2. Moral judgments should be based on facts.

Adequate moral judgments cannot be made in
vacuum. We must gather as much relevant information
as possible before making them.

3. Moral judgments should be based on acceptable

moral principles.
We know that moral judgments are based on
moral standards. At the highest level of moral
reasoning, these standards embody and express very
general moral principles. Reliable moral judgments
must be based on sound moral principles- principles
that can withstand critical scrutiny and rational
criticism.
After knowing that moral judgment should be
logical, should be based on facts, and should appeal to
valid moral principles, bearing this in mind can often
help especially when various people are discussing an
issue and proposing rival answers.
1. In any moral discussion, make sure participants
agree about the relevant facts.