L—4

Lesson—1
“Moral Theories and
Mental Frames”
P R E PA R E D B Y:

BRO. CARLOS B. DAVID, O.P.

- SCOTT B. RAE
 Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Explain the role of mental frames in moral experience
2. Classify the dominant mental frames
3. Articulate what virtue ethics is
4. Critique virtue ethics
5. Make use of virtue ethics
6. Understand and articulate the rights Theory
7. Differentiate a legal from a moral right
8. Make use of the right theory
 Activity
Match the items in COLUMN 1 with COLUMN 2.
(You may repeat an answer)
Compare your answers with your group
COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2
ETHICAL STATEMENTS ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS
_____ 1. The ethical person develops good character. A. Virtue on Character Ethics of Aristotle

_____ 2. An act is ethical if one gives the other of what he is B. Natural Law or Commandment Ethics of St. Thomas
due.
_____ 3. An act is ethical if it is an obligation expected of C. Deontological and Duty Frameworks of Immanuel Kant
every man or woman.
_____ 4. That which is right follows the rule “do good and D. Utilitarian, Teleological and Consequentialist
avoid evil.”
_____ 5. That which is ethical is that which has good E. Love and Justice Framework
consequences.
_____ 6. An act is ethical if one gives the other more than  
what is due.
_____ 7. To act ethically, one must act in a way that he  
wishes others to act in the same way.
_____ 8. An act is ethical if it brings about the greatest  
good for the greatest number of those affected by the act

_____9. What is good is written in a person’s very being.  

 Analysis
The pretest is on various ethical frameworks.
Based on the Pretest that you just did– “What is
meant by ethical framework?”
 Moral Theories and Mental Frames
What is moral theory?
• A moral theory—explains why a certain action is wrong --
or why we ought to act in certain ways.
• Moral theory— provides the framework upon which we
think and discuss in a reasoned way, and so evaluate,
specific moral issues.
 Types of Moral Theories
▪ Utilitarianism
▪ Deontology
▪ Relativism
▪ Divine Command Theory
▪ Virtue Ethics
▪ Egoism
▪ Natural Rights Theory
 Utilitarianism: A Theory of Consequence
 It is a theory which holds that the best way to make a
moral decision is to look at the potential consequences of
each available choice;
Then, one should pick the option that either does the most
to increase happiness or does the least to increase suffering.
Deontology: A Duty-Based Moral Philosophy

Deontology states that society needs rules in order to

function and a person can only be called moral to the
extent that he abides by those rules.
Relativism: A Theory Based on Experiences
 Relativism states that no one person's morals are better or
worse than any other.
 Relativism is a moral philosophy that could, therefore, be
different depending on where you grow up, and what may be
right in your society, could be very wrong in another
person's society.
 Divine Command Theory: A Higher Power

Divine command theory –states that God is the

ultimate arbiter of what constitutes morality, and that
without God we have no clear way of telling right
from wrong.
 Virtue Ethics: Always Improve Yourself
o VIRTUE ETHICS -- states that only good people can make
good moral decisions.
Therefore, the best way to be moral is to constantly seek to
improve oneself.
oVirtue ethicists argue that if a person tries his best to
embody these traits, he eventually develops himself, which is
a way of reaching the goals and values that we all desire.
 Egoism: A Theory Based on Self-Interest
Egoism is a moral philosophy that holds that the best way
for one to be morally good is to act in accordance with one's
self-interest.
Egoists also believe that if everyone acts in their own self-
interest, then society is more likely to solve moral dilemmas
to the satisfaction of all parties, thereby maximizing overall
happiness.
 Natural Rights Theory: Human Rights
Natural rights theorists, or human rights
theorists, believe that every person is endowed
with certain inalienable rights, such as the right
to life, the right to own property, and the right to
liberty.
 What is mental frame?
➢ Mental framing is how you see any given situation and occurs
when you position your thoughts in such a way as to convince
yourself of the value of difficult situations.
➢ A mental frame is kind of like a picture frame which determines
where the picture begins and ends, and our simulated viewpoint of
the image.
➢ If we learn to control our frame, our emotional state will improve
drastically regardless of what life throws at us.
 What is mental frame? (CONT’D)

➢ We have the choice to either frame it in a positive light, or to plunge it into the
dark clutches of negativity. Negative frames allow us to feel justified playing the
victim. They give us more excuses as to why we can or cannot do something and
this keeps us from our goals.
➢ This goes both ways however, and framing things in a positive way will
improve our mood and help us to develop compassion for others.
➢ If we can CHOOSE to take the positive road we will find ourselves in a much
happier place most of the time.
➢ We can apply this framing power to nearly EVERY situation in our lives with a
little creativity.
 IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL FRAMES
➢ Your attitude and your perspectives are part conscious
and part unconscious and can be learned, unlearned,
programmed and reprogrammed in a variety of different
ways.
A simple change of mind can help you become your best self.
 END OF THE LESSON…..
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
KEEPING ME COMPANY!