Notes in Ethics: 7 Characteristics of a Good Moral Theory

Submitted by admin on Sat, 11/20/2010 - 13:51

 

 

1. A good ethical theory is able to satisfactorily explain why people experience a sense of moral obligation.

2. It is able to account for the moral obligations’ “binding force” and “overriding character.”

3. The worldview endorsed by a good moral theory is capable of accounting for the moral accountability in ethics. (For, otherwise, morality would just be like promulgating a strict state law but without real sanction or punishment for the offenders. In such a condition, there would be no essential difference between following and transgressing the law.)

4. A sensible moral theory is able to explain why it is wrong to just live for self-interest just as we please—why even a powerful person must not ignore the dictates of morality and live in pure self-indulgence.

5. It is able to satisfactorily justify why acts of self-sacrifice and heroism matter in morality.

6. It is able to justify that virtues, such as that of compassion and kindness, are not mere hollow abstractions.

7. A good moral theory does not endorse a relative, self-chosen, flexible morality that one can adjust at will.

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Comments

Jocelle Matias (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 19:34

Basically I don't agree, I still believe that each and everyone of us has their own values that they believe in. Everyone has different morals that maybe someone's believe in God and his law but definitely there are also those who are not. Every person has their own perspective on how they find moral law and not only by God's law.

Joanne Quebec (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:24

Is Morality an objective or relative ? Explain.

Wenmark Balatucan (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:27

I agree that there is an Objective Moral Law that person holds and obeys. Me as an individual personally believe in God and obey his laws. I follow my conscience in God's will and let him dictate my way as he is the supreme ruler and his Moral Law is the Supreme law that every nation and codes follows and relied on, or the basis of every custom that had been done.

Lory James Gamo (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:31

on my perspective, morality is a code we human must follow in order to live in harmony with other people. an immoral act of a person will cause people to be angry with him/her. these enlisted characteristics of a moral theory may also be set as a guide on what moral theory should we follow and not just mere self- satisfying theories of morality.

Lory James Gamo (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:34

Generally speaking, people have the knowledge of the moral law. Agree or Disagree,Why?

Jackielyn Alde (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:38

Relative,there is no code for morality that is written by a greater power, we as humans must decide for ourselves individually on what is moral and immoral. In my own opinion people have different standard of what is moral or not.

JerickManzo (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:46

That there is an objective moral law. Agree or Disagree? Why?

Cariza Sison (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:51

I beg to Disaree. I believe that an existence of an objective Moral Law is hard to prove since every now and then cultures have different customs, beliefs and values... there are difference on how people decides on their acts and morals... individual has their own minds that let them think what is wrong from what is right and that beliefs may lead each and every one of us be different from the other.

Cariza Sison (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:52

I beg to Disagree. I believe that an existence of an objective Moral Law is hard to prove since every now and then cultures have different customs, beliefs and values... there are difference on how people decides on their acts and morals... individual has their own minds that let them think what is wrong from what is right and that beliefs may lead each and every one of us be different from the other.

Jeffrey Llorico (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 20:57

Objective, I as a Christian believes that we have our standard of morality and that is the bible or the word of God. We should always follow that moral law because even before it is where we learn what is right or wrong.

Rovin Ace Hao (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:12

"There is an objective moral law. Agree or Disagree? Why?"

Lorena Boaquiña (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:17

For me, people do have knowledge of moral laws. this is because they can never tell that something is immoral just because they wanted to say so. all people know what is moral and immoral, it just depends on what they believe.

Peter Tolibas (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:18

It is objective,when we were still a child our parents teaches us on what is right or wrong and on how we should act morally according to the will of God. We are not born with natural knowledge on what is right or wrong but with the people around us especially from our parent and the word of God,we are able to know this.

rigor lagos (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:24

That there is an objective moral law. Agree or Disagree? Why?

Bebs Albao-Gabriel (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:33

I would say that all morality is relative. Who's to say what is right and what is wrong from a moral standpoint? Everyone has their own opinions on the issue. For example, someone may say abortion is wrong and immoral, while another is convinced that it is perfectly acceptable. Laws are not always morals. They are put in place to keep order, which does not necessarily coincidence with morality. Is speeding immoral in the eyes of the government? Probably not, but it does create incidents such as wrecks and deaths. Their only basis is from an objective standpoint, but of course they have to decide what was wrong in the eyes of the law. This hinders moral objectivity when our culture is based on opinionated morals and laws.

Bebs Albao-Gabriel (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:33

I would say that all morality is relative. Who's to say what is right and what is wrong from a moral standpoint? Everyone has their own opinions on the issue. For example, someone may say abortion is wrong and immoral, while another is convinced that it is perfectly acceptable. Laws are not always morals. They are put in place to keep order, which does not necessarily coincidence with morality. Is speeding immoral in the eyes of the government? Probably not, but it does create incidents such as wrecks and deaths. Their only basis is from an objective standpoint, but of course they have to decide what was wrong in the eyes of the law. This hinders moral objectivity when our culture is based on opinionated morals and laws.

Emman (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:34

I agree!

amIbeautiful (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:36

Yes. I agree. We, the people has the knowledge to know whether a certain act is right or wrong, hence, the theory of moral realism.

Khaled (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:39

DISAGREE!

Bobby Rusto (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:40

Ofcourse, there is. If none, what is the sense of saying a particular act/action is right when infact you don't know what particular act/action is wrong. :)

Roberto (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:42

DISAGREE

JC (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:44

for me, there's no objective moral law. People who objectively says that there is, cannot explain it concretely or absolutism for this matter.

Emman (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:55

I agree. coz moral law is a system of guidelines for behavior.These guidelines may or may not be part of a religion, codified in written form,or legally enforceable.For some people moral law is synonymous with the commands of a divine being.For others moral law is a set of universal rules that should apply to everyone.

kristine joy D.... (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 21:57

There is an Objective moral Law??? Please justify your answer.. Thanks

Jeffrey Guevarra (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:00

I think its relative because everyone has their own set of moral values. You can't judge people based on your morals, since they don't think the same as you. People are the neutral middle, sometimes you even need to abandon your own morals in order to do whats right.

Khaled (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:05

Disagree. some people cant think properly

Roberto (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:09

DisAGREE! sometimes people using drugs is out of their mind.They cant think properly

Jap Mosqueda (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:17

no, because if there's an objective moral law there would be no more crimes, dirty or corrupt minds to the people.

anna valdez (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:25

For me, I Disagree, kasi po naniniwala ako na lahat tayo may sari sariling paniniwala. Ang ilan sa atin naniniwala sa Diyos kaya naman para sa kanila mayroong moralidad na kung saan nagmumula sa kanya ang ilan naman hindi naniniwala na sa Diyos lamang nanggagaling ang moralidad bagkus minsan naniniwala sila na ito ay natututunan sa pamamagitan ng pag aaral na naging katuruan ng kanilang mga guro, at hindi lamang galing sa Diyos.

kristelle Anne ... (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 22:34

I definitely Agree!! I believe that An Objective moral Law is something that a person obeyed. As an individual I definitely believe that has His first teaching of Moral Law that we practices right now. Many Christians today believe in His teaching that is why we have this conviction in our hearts whenever we commit mistake. The moral Law that we have is the one that rebukes us. So to conclude God's moral Law is the supreme law that everyone's followed.

kristelle Anne ... (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 23:16

Agree!! I believe there is a definite moral Law. because there is God who taught us through His word which is the bible. Naniniwala din ako na meron mga batas na hindi kailanman pwedeng maging tama! tulad nang pagpatay! kasi sa batas ng Diyos mali yun at kahit sa batas ng tao. Kahit naman siguro sa ibang kultura ang pagpatay ay hindi tama.Hindi pwedeng maging tama ang isang baluktot na dahilan..sabi yan ng tatay ko... hahaha ok ba ate joy???

gLENN PAUL fINEZA (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 23:24

di ako sang ayon! may pagkaka iba-iba tayong sariling katuruan. sa bawat bansa may ibat iba tayong paniniwala. Minsan ang tama sa atin mali sa kanila, minsan naman may mga tama sa atin na mali sa kanila. Isa pa mayroon tayong mga sari saling utak para magdesisyon, minsan nga diba ang mali para sa atin tama! Yun ay depende sa rason natin.. Okey na yan Insan... hahaha yan alam ko.. ala naman tama o mali diba???

rea odi (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 23:26

There is objective moral law. Agree or Disagree? Justify.

minjhiene oh (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 23:38

disaggree because it depends If the community is not one of a high level of moral substance (that is, not predominantly one of morally good people, both in official positions and throughout the population), then moral rights will, at best, degenerate into mere legal rights; and even then they will be continually subject to failure in the context of need, because the individuals involved in such contexts do not act to support them. Those rights—where they exist—will also be, at most, honored in the letter, and not in the spirit of human dignity. and those of similar moral outlook would understand human dignity.

alfred tonzon (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 14:49

I agree because I do believe that everything we do has a connection with God , our actions we can say that it's immoral if we think that God prohibit's that action.

Angeline Ramos (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 14:58

I agree, because Each person has a conscience, the basis for their dignity, which is the place where the law of God and their freedom meet.

Fantasia Que (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:07

disaggree because it depends If the community is not one of a high level of moral substance (that is, not predominantly one of morally good people, both in official positions and throughout the population), then moral rights will, at best, degenerate into mere legal rights; and even then they will be continually subject to failure in the context of need, because the individuals involved in such contexts do not act to support them. Those rights—where they exist—will also be, at most, honored in the letter, and not in the spirit of human dignity. and those of similar moral outlook would understand human dignity.

gabriel asuncion III (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:07

hindi po ako naniniwala sa objective moral law. we have different views on what is right and what is wrong. di sapat na masaya ka o guilty ka para lang malaman mo na tama yung ginawa. no one can really dictate what is correct. although naniniwala ako kay God, di pa rin ako naniniwala na merong moral law na absolute kasi nga iba iba yung tingin ng mga tao sa mga bagay bagay

cassandra layco (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:07

I don't believe in objective morality. It still depends on the person. Di lahat talaga ng tao alam na tama yung ginagawa nila. Minsan, their culture dictates what is right and what is wrong. Eh iba iba yung paniniwala natin, kaya naman hindi universal ang moral law.

Casey Dean D. Suarez (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:08

There is indeed an objective moral law. Some things are innately moral and some are not. It is natural if we feel guilty about a particular thing, simply because we know that it is wrong. No matter what kind of tradition or culture we have, there are some things that will remain fixed and correct...

mary anne c. lo... (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:08

i agree that there is an objective moral law. we all know for a fact that killing another person is bad and helping others is good, and the mere reason for this is because we all knew from the start what is right, and what is wrong. At isa pa, meron tayong ginagawa na alam nating tama dahil ang gaan sa pakiramdam, at meron namang bagay na alam mong mali dahil di ka mapakali nung ginawa mo yun. i believe that God created humans with their sense of morality, and it remains the same for everyone.

Angeline Ramos (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:08

I agree, because Each person has a conscience, the basis for their dignity, which is the place where the law of God and their freedom meet.

Luke Ivan Panganiban (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:17

I agree, We always have the capacity to make better choices in the future and in each moral decision we make, we are dealing not just with particular acts which may be either good or sinful but with “an appeal to the absolute Good which attracts and beckons us”

queenie galorio (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:29

I agree because we know right from wrong best by our reactions,not our actions.

Fantasia Que (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:29

sangayon ako. may roong objective moral law. Diba ito po yung tama at mali na nakakasanayan na nating gamitin at nagiging batayan kung imoral ka ba or mabuti.

Kiana Marie Rosal (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:39

Yes, i agree. there is a objective moral law. As a evidence support my statement, we can use as example those command by god. All of the commands is all about morality in short, it is all about what is right to do and what are what are the things we need to avoid. hirap mag english hahaha

reymarie tonzon (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:40

i agree because morality comes from God where that's the only one place you can ground objective morality..

Nicel Perez (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:44

I don't agree, the object of the will ought to be understood.

Bryan Espinola (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:52

There is an Objective moral Law??? Please justify

Anonymous (not verified)

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 15:55

disagree, because not all people have a capacity to think properly some are lack of capacity to settle contested moral or legal claims and lack of application because of self interest

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