Module 3-Morality An Introduction

Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences
MORALITY
– AN INTRODUCTION
Jangjeet Chahal
Asst. Professor
AIBAS
• Morality has to do with the way we live our

lives.
• Morality helps us to judge the difference

between right and wrong.
• Once we know the difference between the two,

we can do what is right and avoid what is
wrong.
• We are able to think about our behaviour in order to

decide what to say and what to do in any given
situation.
• When we encounter moral situations, we can either

act in a way that we know is right, or we can do the
opposite and act in a way that we know to be
wrong.
“A moral person knows

the difference between
right and wrong and
chooses to do what is “An amoral person has
“An immoral person knows right.” no regard for any
the difference between right standards of right or
and wrong and chooses to wrong, and just does
do what is wrong.” what he/she likes.”
Moral Behaviour can depend on…
1. The Consequences – what will happen if they do it/don’t do

it.
2. Their Emotions – how will they feel about their decision
afterwards.
3. The Situation – the background, what led up to it.
4. Laws and Rules – if it is against the law or a rule.
5. Authority – if someone orders them, or forces them to do it.
6. Common Practice – whether or not everyone is doing it.
7. Their Conscience – something that tells them its right or
wrong.
What are “VALUES”?

• A value is something that we think is very important
and worthwhile.
• Do any of these values apply to you?
– To be popular.
– To have lots of money.
– To have lots of friends.
– To be respected.
– To get good exam results.
– To have a nice car.
– To be good at sports.
– To be happy and content.
– To have a strong faith.
• Our values affect the way we think, what we

say, and how we behave.
• Our values are not acquired by accident, we get

our values from other people.
• Can you think of any examples of where these

values come from?
Steps in Moral Decision-making…
1. Facts
6. Decision 2. Options
Steps in
Moral
Decision-
making…
5. Prayer 3. Advice
4. Values
Morality Matters
Families You could not

would not have close
function if the friends if you
parents simply lied constantly
ignored their and stole from
children! them!
Society would totally

collapse if people
ignored their duties
towards others.
Can you think of any
examples??
Where does our Morality come

from?
1. Home and Family

• The home and family play an important part in
influencing our moral outlook.
• Our parents were the first people to teach us the

difference between right and wrong.
• As children we learnt that it is good to share our

toys, to always tell the truth and not hit other
children.
2. Friends and Peers

• As we grow older we begin to be influenced by others
outside the home.
• Going to school, making friends and mixing with other

children our own age meant we encountered different
types of values.
• Therefore it can be said that our friends and peers also

play an important role in influencing our moral outlook.
3. Religion
• People’s moral outlook is strongly influenced by the
religion in which they have been brought up.
• Many young people go to schools with a religious ethos

where they are educated in their faith.
• Therefore the values they have received at home are

reinforced by the teachings and practices of their religion.
4. Society and the State

• The State plays an important role in deciding our moral
outlook.
• The State passes the laws of the country.
• Society also plays an important role in influencing our moral

outlook as it can decide what is accepted as good or bad.
• Usually when the majority of society behave in a certain way

then that behaviour can become acceptable.
5. Emotions
• We can be influenced by our emotions to behave in certain
ways.
• This can have a positive impact on us in situations where

we are moved by sympathy or compassion to help
somebody in need.
• However, emotions can also provide us with negative

outcomes when we are driven by anger or hatred when
responding to certain situations.
• Moral issues are not always simply a matter of

stating what is right and what is wrong.
• Morality is about human beings and their

relationships.
• We must remember that many factors can

influence the way people behave.

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Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences

• Morality has to do with the way we live our

• Morality helps us to judge the difference

• Once we know the difference between the two,

• We are able to think about our behaviour in order to

• When we encounter moral situations, we can either

“A moral person knows

Moral Behaviour can depend on…

1. The Consequences – what will happen if they do it/don’t do

What are “VALUES”?

• Our values affect the way we think, what we

• Our values are not acquired by accident, we get

• Can you think of any examples of where these

Steps in Moral Decision-making…

Families You could not

Society would totally

Where does our Morality come

1. Home and Family

• Our parents were the first people to teach us the

• As children we learnt that it is good to share our

2. Friends and Peers

• Going to school, making friends and mixing with other

• Therefore it can be said that our friends and peers also

• Many young people go to schools with a religious ethos

• Therefore the values they have received at home are

4. Society and the State

• The State passes the laws of the country.

• Society also plays an important role in influencing our moral

• Usually when the majority of society behave in a certain way

• This can have a positive impact on us in situations where

• However, emotions can also provide us with negative

• Moral issues are not always simply a matter of

• Morality is about human beings and their

• We must remember that many factors can

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