chapter 1 understanding morals

MORAL EDUCATION

UNDERSTANDING MORALS

What do you know about “Morals” and “Ethics”?

W.Damon(1988), no single definition of morality that is universal and acceptable to everyone.

Differences in the interpretation of these terms results in conflicting views, misunderstandings and disputes.

Different views cause conflicts and wars!

Definition Morals and Ethics

Etymologically, the word “ethics” is derived from the Greek word “ethos” which means custom or usage, while

the word “morals” comes from the Latin “mores” which has the same meaning as ethos

Ethics can be defines as a philosophical study of morals – good behaviour, moral obligation, moral attitude, moral responsibility, social justice and good living qualities.

W.K.Frankena(1973), ethics is moral philosophy or philosophical thinking about morality, moral problems and judgement.

Normative Statements and Descriptive Statements (Non-normative Statements) Normative statements V.Grassian says that

attempts to give coherent or logical, systematic and justifiable answers to moral questions are called normative ethics.

This means that moral ethics focuses on normative statements which have implications on human behaviour.

Normative Statements

Hence, a normative statement is a value judgement that is good or bad, wrong or correct, acceptable or unacceptable.

The example, “Abortion is an immoral act”, is a normative statement.

Normative Statements

D eon ticJu d g m etn s(ob lig a tion )

A re ta icJu d g m en ts

M ora lJu d g em en ts

N on -m ora lJu d g em en ts

C ateg ory o fN orm ativeS atem en ts

Descriptive Statements

Deontic Judgement (Judgement of moral obligation) A normative statement is

usually in the form of value judgement.

According to Frankena (1973), in moral judgments, we can say that a certain action or type of action is morally good or bad; correct or wrong, obligation or non-obligation, necessary or unnecessary to carry out.

Such a judgement is called deontic judgement.

Aretaic Judgement (Judgement of moral value) We can discuss matters

that are concerning persons, their motives, aims and behavioural traits or nature.

Similarly, we can also say they are morally good, bad, virtuous, vicious, responsible, blameworthy, saintly, despicable, and so on.

This statement called Aretaic Judgement.

Normative with Moral JudgmentsJudgments of

Moral Obligation (Deontic Judgments)

Certain or types of actionYou need to be a dedicated teacher. What John has done is wrong. We need to keep our promise.

Moral Value

Judgments (Aretaic Judgments)

Motives, aims, personality, behaviour etcMy father is a kind-hearted man.A good person does not cheat.Ali’s motive is good.

Normative Statements with Non-moral Judgments (Descriptive Statements) Value judgments of the non-

moral domain evaluate matters connected with cars, art, experience, forms of government, etc..

We do not intend to say they are morally good or bad, necessary or unnecessary, etc

In other words, they are free from moral values

Non-moral Judgments (Descriptive Statements)

You need to buy tickets for this concert You need to buy a new pair of shoes. All hostel residents should care for their own safety. That car is good. His life is not happy. Sweet food is not healthy.

Change a non-normative statement into a normative statement Non-normative (Descriptive) Fewer people are

registering themselves as voters

Suicide cases have increased

Parents have authority in the family

Normative Good citizens must

register themselves as voters

Killing oneself as a personal sacrifice is not permitted.

Always obey the orders of your parents

Basic Concept of Value

According dictionary, value has two meanings.

Firstly from the point of view of price which can be counted.

Secondly, from something that can be felt “internally” or in our thoughts.

The Value of Morality

Hence, value exists in many aspects.

It is found in morality. Why there are people

who are rich and yet do not feel happy in life?

Characteristics of Value

1) Value can be seen, appraised and “felt” through the subject’s speech, movement, conducts, attitude and actions.

2) Value changes from time to time and is different from one place to another.

Nevertheless, the essence or core of that value still exists and remains stable

3) The values of a person may differ from those of another and the perception of an individual towards a certain value may also differ from that of another individual.

Functions of Value

1) It acts as a criterion or standard which is consistent and strong for an individual or society to act in a way that is good, correct and acceptable.

Functions of Value

2) It is an indicator, reference, and guide to solve moral conflict.

Different moral value may be in conflict with each other, but a guide from value itself will be referred in order to resolve the conflict.

Functions of Value

3) It places a restriction on the behaviour or action of an individual or the society.

An individual will or will not do something or behave according to the values held by him

Forms of Value

1. Instrumental or Extrinsic Values

2. Intrinsic Values

3. Subjective Values

4. Objective Values

5. Relative Values

6. Absolute Values

Instrumental or Extrinsic Value Quality received or rejected as instrument to

achieve certain objective. Dependent on other values to achieve certain

objective Second order values, i.e. bravery, diligence, respect

for others Example: 1. bombing of Hiroshima to end the Second World War2. Imposing the death penalty for drug traffickers to

stamp out drug trafficking activities.

Intrinsic Value Quality received or rejected solely because it

is good or bad without considering its effect. Not dependent on other values to achieve

certain objectives. The value mentioned is itself the final objective.

Example: A judge passes a “death by hanging sentence” on a person found guilty of trafficking drugs purely because it is obligatory for the judge to do so.

Subjective Values Quality accepted or rejected by someone who gives

his views Accepted or rejected on the basis of an individual’s

opinion. Example: Issue: “The USA desire to attack Iraq” Britain said that the US should attack Iraq for the sake

of long-term peace in the world so that Iraq could not continue to produce weapons of mass destruction.

France, on the other hand, said that the US should not attack Iraq because such an attack would sacrifice the lives of many innocent people in Iraq.

Objective Values Quality that may be valuable or not valuable

but free from personal choice. Accepted or rejected base on the basis of a

set of criteria agreed upon by all or a majority of people

Example:

1. War is a horrible tragedy.

2. Violence does not reflect humanitarian values

Relative Values Value accepted or rejected by regulations in a

society in order to achieve certain societal objective

It is arbitrary, not perfect, and differs in others societies

Can changes with time Example: In Malaysia, a family can develop

only through an official marriage of a couple. On the other hand, in California, a family can be formed without an official marriage.

Absolute Values Value the worth of which is not related to the

custom of a certain society. Generally accepted and tested or proven to be

good or bad Constant at all times and in all places and in

almost all norms of society Example: Living as a legally married couple is

a good practice.

EXERCISE FOR CHAPTER ONE

THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY