Learning Objectives

After this class, you will be able to explain:

1. Moral definition
2. Difference between Moral and Ethics
3. Moral issues
• 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 human beings.

• 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.
 BASIS FOR COMPARISON MORALS ETHICS
Meaning Morals are the beliefs of the Ethics are the guiding
individual or group as to what principles which help the
is right or wrong. individual or group to decide
what is good or bad.
What is it? General principles set by Response to a specific
group situation
Root word Mos which means custom Ethikos which means character

Governed By Social and cultural norms Individual or Legal and

Professional norms
Deals with Principles of right and wrong Right and wrong conduct

Applicability in Business No Yes

Consistency Morals may differ from society Ethics are generally uniform.
to society and culture to
culture.
Expression Morals are expressed in the Ethics are abstract.
form of general rules and
statements.
Freedom to think and choose No Yes
 “A moral person knows
the difference between
right and wrong and “An amoral person has
chooses to do what is no regard for any
right.” standards of right or
“An immoral person knows
wrong, and just does
the difference between
what he/she likes.”
right and wrong and
chooses to do what is
wrong.”
 Moral Behaviour
can depend on…
• The Consequences – what will happen if they do
it/don’t do it.
• Their Emotions – how will they feel about their
decision afterwards.
• The Situation – the background, what led up to
it.
• Laws and Rules – if it is against the law or a rule.
• Authority – if someone orders them, or forces
them to do it.
• Common Practice – whether or not everyone is
doing it.
• Their Conscience – something that tells them its
right
or wrong.
 Questions to consider…
• Think of a character that you have read about in
a book, seen on television, or in a film or video
game, who fits the description:
o A moral person
o An immoral person
o An amoral person

• Explain why you have placed these characters in

these particular categories.
Making Moral Decisions
 What are “VALUES”?
• A value is something that we think is very
important and worthwhile.
• Do any of these values apply to you?
o To be popular.
o To have lots of money.
o To have lots of friends.
o To be respected.
o To get good exam results.
o To have a nice car.
o To be good at sports.
o To be happy and content.
o 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
You could not
Families would
have close
not function if
friends if you
the parents
lied constantly
simply ignored
and stole from
their 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.