...It is all relative: A look at what is “right” and “wrong” with our views on morality In her article “On Morality,” Joan Didion attempts to address the subject of morality, a word that she says she “mistrusts more every day.” Many people trace morality back to Socrates and his Greek compatriots, but it is not as if those philosophers thought one day out of the blue, “Gee, understanding right from wrong and making valued choices based on that understanding sounds like a great way to live. People should just do that from now on!” No, the idea of morality did not randomly pop into some ancient toga wearing philosopher’s head; morality is innate in human beings. The concept of morality has become prevalent in our species over time through biological and societal evolution, and is made stronger in individuals through upbringing and social development. However, as Didion notes in her article, what is right, what is wrong, and the very meaning of morality itself has become difficult to discern in today’s modern world. Morality has its roots in the evolution of our species. In order to have a better chance of survival and reproduction in the big old scary Stone Age world, early humans used social bonding and grouping to gain a competitive advantage. These early groups were only as strong as the relationships between their members; groups with individuals who empathized with one another and looked out for one another would have a better chance at survival and procreation....
Words: 756 - Pages: 4
...than decisions under natural phenomenon. (Practical reason vs. Rational reason) Morality First Proposition of Morality: The relationship between duty and inclination: inclination has more personal connection and motivations which make the decisions and actions more introspective, which is why we need a strong will. Decisions can be moral if people do not perform actions under what they are told but truly become introspective about what they have in mind. Second Proposition of Morality: Duty lacks personal responsibility and thus, it cannot be understood as having followed by material principle. Third Proposition of Morality: Similar to the above: duty does not have a full account of respect, therefore does not require personal commitment into thinking under morality Mill: Basic definition and Ideas: Mentions satisfaction level, yet happiness are ultimately due to pride and dignity. Happiness cannot be measured under any quantity terms and each type of happiness is different. Happiness is the absence of pain and pleasure and unhappiness is deprivation of pain and pleasure. He also believes that people should enjoy in order being truly satisfied.. Morality: All the good things under the system of morality, Mill states, should be under personal interest. He says that the system of priority is designed to intent to pleasure the individual alone. Mill > Kant: In order to attain morality, happiness should cooperate with duty and good will Examples: Family revenge ...
Words: 1888 - Pages: 8
...Tiange Zou ESL 102 Kate Murphy November 25, 2011 Morality: Right and Wrong People knew the meaning of the word morality in their early age because parents and teachers had tried very hard to teach children to possess the virtue qualities of morality such as caring, compassion, and courage. However, there is a tendency that people act differently when they encounter the morality in real life. For instance, some people are hesitant to help out a wounded person on the street when they assume police would do that. These people absolutely know it is wrong not to help a wounded person according to the caring aspect of morality. Knowing something is not right to do but to do, people contradict themselves by the influence of societies, individualism, and governments. First of all, societies can change people’s ideas and behaviors about morality. In other words, people will choose what others doing in a society instead of obeying the criteria of morality. Therefore, this action will emerge a moral contradiction. For instance, there was a shocking incident happened in Foshan city in the south of China. A two- year- old girl was twice hit by two different cars on a very busy street and 18 pedestrians indifferently passed the girl without doing any effort to help the girl. The girl was finally saved by a garbage collector after lying on the street for a long time (The Guardian). Many Chinese people and social medias...
Words: 1251 - Pages: 6
...religion your parents are or the morals and values in your culture. Morality and values differ from person to person or culture to culture. In this essay I will argue that morality can be objective or subjective in a sense that we get some of our morals from what God gave us but we also learn our morals from different people and our daily influences. Morality and personal values vary from religion. In many different religions we all have similar values and morals because our faith all stems from one main source.But there are different branches where are faith and morals differ. For example, as a Christian we believe in many things that God said in the Bible. Our morals and values are very concrete and we should follow those ‘rules’ to the best of our abilities. Some of those set ‘rules’ are do not have sex before you married or follow the 10 Commandments. Those rules or morals are set in place to so can go to heaven. But in other religions such as Islam they don’t have the same morals or values as we Christians do. In the Islamic religion girls at a certain age have to start to wear the hijab. The hijab represents modesty. These morals and values vary in many other different religions. I think that if you are bonded to one religion is represents you and makes you feel like you are a part of something special. Religion can be represented in many different ways and many religions vary in values and morals. Morality can be defined by our surroundings. When we are younger the way we...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior") is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper.[1] Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from acode of conduct from a particular philosophy, religion, or culture, or it can derive from a standard that a person believes should be universal.[2] Morality may also be specifically synonymous with "goodness" or "rightness." Moral philosophy includes moral ontology, or the origin of morals, as well as moral epistemology, or knowledge about morals. Different systems of expressing morality have been proposed, including deontological ethical systems which adhere to a set of established rules, and normative ethical systems which consider the merits of actions themselves. An example of normative ethical philosophy is the Golden Rule, which states that: "One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself."[3] Immorality is the active opposition to morality (i.e. opposition to that which is good or right), while amorality is variously defined as an unawareness of, indifference toward, or disbelief in any set of moral standards or principles. An initial naïve attempt at a descriptive definition of “morality” might take it to refer to the most important code of conduct put forward by a society and accepted by the members of that society. But the existence of large and heterogeneous societies raises...
Words: 1480 - Pages: 6
...Morality & Ethics in Corporate World Inspired and infuriated in equal measure by this week’s Moral Maze (BBC Radio 4, 9 February 2011) on Multiculturalism — a fact that is indicative of just how good the programme is — I have been reflecting on two aspects of the discussion that were, to my way of thinking, conspicuous by their absence — a lack of clarity between ethical principles and their moral application, and our need to go beyond pluralism and cultural integration in the UK. The discussion reflected on the Prime Minister’s statement last week that “State Multiculturalism has failed…” because we, in the UK, have failed to provide a vision of society to which they want to belong.” The “they” in question referred to Muslim organisations in receipt of public funds, which, said the Prime Minister, do little to tackle extremism. “We have even tolerated these segregated communities behaving in ways, which run counter to our values.” A genuinely liberal country “believes in certain values and actively promotes them“, Mr Cameron said. “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, democracy, the rule of law, equal rights, regardless of race, sex or sexuality. “It says to its citizens: This is what defines us as a society. To belong here is to believe in these things.” He said that under the “doctrine of state multiculturalism”, different cultures have been encouraged to live separate lives, and he argued that the UK needs a stronger national identity. The Moral Maze called...
Words: 757 - Pages: 4
...What is Morality Introduction to Philosophy American Intercontinental University David C. Koopmans September 23, 2012 Abstract This paper discusses whether infanticide is universally morally wrong, or morally right withing certain contexts. The focus of the paper is going to be that infanticide is universally morally wrong. Infanticide is the practice of killing a newborn baby that is practiced in many other cultures, but is deemed illegal in the United States. The question is, is this practice universally morally wrong, or is it morally right within certain contexts. Cultures exist that make having multiple children an extreme financial burden, or due to population control, illegal to have more than one child. Even within these contexts, does it make it morally right to practice infanticide? No, it does not! The practice of infanticide is universally morally wrong. Infanticide is practiced in several cultures, one of which is Pakistan. According to cultural relativism, this practice is deemed morally right. Cultural relativism deals with actions that are specific to a culture and the individuals within a specific culture. The beliefs and customs of a particular culture are relative to the individuals within that culture. What may be morally right in one culture may not be right in another (gotquestions.org, 2011). Relativism deals with the fact that individual societies may deem, for themselves, what is right or wrong. Since truth...
Words: 1527 - Pages: 7
...Assess the view that morality is a conventional agreement for our mutual advantage This is the argument of Social Contract Theory first put forward by Thomas Hobbes. This is the theory that people only act morally because it is mutually beneficial and that we humans by nature are selfish creatures. Those who disagree with Hobbes’s Social Contract theory may argue that since there is no historical evidence of there ever being such an agreement signed by humans then how can the theory be true. On top of this Humanity has always lived in social groups and therefore never had a time where Hobbes’s theory of how life would be if we did not have a ‘Social Contract’ has never been tested and is invalid. On the other hand, these people appear to have taken the idea of a Social Contract in a literal instead of metaphorical way. Hobbes never suggested that people ever actually sat down and negotiated a contract, instead he was simply theorising what life for humanity would be like if all our laws and morals were stripped away he simply claimed that if we lived in a world without laws or morals that groups of humans would make agreements with others to make life easier for all parties. Another claim that may be made by those who disagree with Hobbes is that, if we are selfish and did not actively agree to follow this contract then surely we have no obligation to follow it? Although it is to our advantage for everyone else to be moral but if you were to gain an advantage from breaking...
Words: 387 - Pages: 2
...Consider the concepts of morality in Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the light of the relationship between gender and power. Defend your answer. In Macbeth a very important theme is that of morality. This means the difference between good and bad. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as being the “bravest” soldier and for being an honorable thane. We see Macbeth as being a man with morals who fights for good reasons and in honor of the king of Scotland. However as the play implies, who is “fair is foul and foul is fair,” (Act 1, Scene 1) meaning that appearance can be differing from reality. Gender and power are two topics that are shown in detail in the drama of Macbeth. With regards to gender, throughout the play we encounter how man has to have no morals at all and how man should have no remorse on the actions they do. In fact Lady Macbeth tries to be unsexed from a woman to be as strong as men: “Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood; Stop up the access and passage to remorse” (Act 1 Scene 5). Even though Macbeth never says it out loud, Macbeth in the beginning did care about his morality and about doing right and not wrong. In fact he wasn’t sure about killing Duncan but when Lady Macbeth questioned his manhood, he decided to be a man. However we then see that after Duncan’s murder the guilt kills his sleep and thus he realized in doing wrong...
Words: 543 - Pages: 3
...Forced into Morality Cesar Galvez One may wonder what society would be like if people did not follow any sort of moral codes. People would not feel any guilt for any wrong-doing. Obligations, awareness of duty, and rights would not exist, perhaps in only the legal sense. Thankfully, most, if not all, human inherited rules of right and wrong that were not given by anyone, they are inherent morals that each human is given. However, another way a person can look at morality is religion. Furthermore, there is a considerable amount of people that believe morality and religion are fundamentally linked. According to Landau (2010), “Religion has always been the most popular source of morality.” (Landau, 2010, p.61). Humanist, atheist, and agnostics cannot identify a connection between religion and morality, arguing that is possible to be moral without a religious status. However, others argue that ethics and religion are inseparable. Religion creates a moral motivation to seek a greater moral life. If believers desire a better life and afterlife and continue to follow the religious beliefs, “God deeds will be rewarded, if not here on earth, then in another worldly paradise.” (Landau, 2010, p.62). Therefore, believers have strong reasons to be moral. According to Wainwright (2005), “Religious belief is necessary for moral motivation.” (Wainwright, 2005, p.4). On the other hand, not only motivation for a better life triggers the initiative to be moral. Fear has the...
Words: 542 - Pages: 3
...play which portrays all the evil qualities that human beings can bear - greed, murder, deceit, betrayal, treachery, and such other immoral behaviors. It is apparently a play that teaches about morality. Morality, according to Oxford dictionary, is defined as the principles of right and wrong behavior as well as goodness and badness of human character. Macbeth is all about how the characters deal with morality and how they face the consequences of immoral choices. Morality is universal and it is not only based on a society. It helps maintain law and order and serve justice upon the wicked. Morality sets order in the society because when people act according to their ethics misdemeanors will be eliminated. The perfect example of this would be Banquo. Banquo, although he hears his share of the prophecy, does not make haste to make it happen. He does not try to conspire or plot against the king. He adheres to morality and continues to fulfill his tasks. Although he does think about it and tries to talk about the witches’ words with Macbeth, he is not consumed by it as Macbeth is. Instead he says “…but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear/ I shall be counseled” (Shakespeare 2.1.37-39) which means that he is not apprehensive about the matter. And another example of how morality helps people to act conscientiously would be when Macbeth becomes inept in carrying out the plot. He feels wrong about killing the king because he has been honored by the king. He says, “We will...
Words: 766 - Pages: 4
...Testing human morality. What certain actions do humans take when the world comes to an end? Would someone be able to make the right decision for human survival? Would they be able to look away from morality and fulfill the duties needed to recreate a new world? Trying to figure out what steps an individual would take when placed in an apocalyptic situation is hard because of something that is very subjective, morality. Though morals do vary from person to person and society to society there are many universal moral beliefs that are based strictly on human emotions. Morality is what helps individuals make sense of their gut feelings. “After the plague” a short story written by T. Coraghessan Boyle has placed Jed the main character, in an apocalyptic situation that challenges his morals in more ways than one. The author Boyle, sets up a scenario that causes Jed to question his morality, that being said I will look at how Jed overcomes and adapts to the coming challenges after an apocalypse and how morality plays a part in his transformation from the old world to the new. To many the word morality means the definition of right and wrong, to others it is explained as the social norm set by a society. Jed is put into a situation dealing with the end of the world, as he isolates himself he realizes that things will have to change. There will no longer be phone calls to friends or families and he will be alone to figure out how to deal with the issue at hand. The first test of...
Words: 1918 - Pages: 8
...Ethics and Morality Doreen B. Jackson Everest University 1. How would Robert Coles respond to this quote? Robert Coles might answer this quote by making us consider going from thinking to action, and using moral analysis to the fulfilling moral commitments. Moral conduct is not commensurate with moral reasoning although there is a correlation between a plan of action and moral reasoning. Students might learn of the moral code of ethics, but they are the ones required to make the commitment by studying and following them, therefore becoming a more ethical person. My answer to the quote is, we as people make our own choices concerning our own actions. We are confronted with moral dilemmas that allow us to make those choices. When studying our daily living we show our morality by our chosen actions and our spoken words. We decide whether our decisions are good or will have ramifications. If our actions are not continually studied a code of ethics may never be maintained causing adversity in our personal and social lives. 2. How do you explain the fact that morally evil people can be highly educated in terms of ethics and religion? In other words, how do you account for the gap that sometimes occurs between knowledge of ethics and being ethical person? To them morality is simply rules that are memorized. Morality can be stated or referenced but not adopted. Moral choices require deep thought and consideration. The so called evil persons do not have empathy...
Words: 523 - Pages: 3
...Based on different sociology dissertations, morality has been an issue that many societies globally have been trying to deal with. This term is used to describe the code of acceptable behaviors in a given society or culture. On the other hand, moral minima is a word that goes along with morality. This sets a standard by which the people in the society have to follow so that they may be living within the limits of proper moral conduct. The advent of civilization has given room to various forms that come from moral minima. As such, morality has become an issue that is interpreted in different ways depending how one looks or evaluates it (Goodman, 2010, p.87). Therefore, this has given rise to at least three areas where morality is supposedly received or obtained. Firstly, morality can be considered relative to the laws of a given nation so that what the law says is right. Second, morality can be said to have also come from religion where the various religions have their own holy books by which members are told to behave in a certain way. Finally, it is the personal source of morality. This is what has sparked a lot of controversy in many subject to millions of interpretation and understandings. Consequently, this is what I believe started influential philosophers like Lenn Goodman into argument that there are some things, which are certainly wrong. In this regard, this study seeks to explore the credits or challenges Goodman presents in his assertions (Goodman, 2010, p.88). In...
Words: 805 - Pages: 4
...Ethics Essay Ethics Essay 3a) i) examine the arguments for and against the view that morality is independent of religion? ii) To what extent are these arguments convincing I am going to examine the arguments for and against the view that morality is independent on religion, by examining the argument from both sides, then looking at their strengths and weaknesses and then I will conclude with my line of argument. The first argument I am going to examine is for the statement, which is Plato’s Euthyphro. Plato stated that “is something good because God says its good or does God say it is good because it is good”. This means that do we do good things because God says is good or do we do good things so than God says that it is good. Another argument I am going to examine, is for the statement, and it is an argument based on a group of people called Anti-Theists. They don’t believe in God, so they agree with the statement. However, Anti-Theists like Richard Dawkins say that anyone who believes in religion or in a god is an extremist and it clouds and distorts your view on morality. The next argument that I am going to examine is what some people in the world think, but it is based around Cultural Relativists, who say that if morality was decided for by God then he could say one day to murder somebody and it would be fine. This would then agree with the statement above. An argument I’m going to examine is The Devine Command Theory. This argument goes against the statement...
Words: 697 - Pages: 3
