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Taber T. Fellows
English 2010
Prof: Gary Howard
2nd Larger Portfolio essay
Morals vs. Values
According to Merriam-Websters dictionary; the word moral: and its definition thereof is
based on what you think is right or good. Values = usefulness or importance. Placing these two
words together, Moral and values (moral values) is an oxymoron: a combination of words that
have the opposite or very different meanings. So if Moral = right or good, and Values =
usefulness or important. What does it mean when the two words are put together? If something
isnt right its not useful and if its not good it isnt important? Unfortunately this is precisely
how many Americans view these two words, especially when they are put together. If something
has served its purpose, and is no longer of use to us, thus by mere definition it becomes no longer
important? And if so is it still right, or a good thing? If so why?
People use each other all the time for thousands of reason, and when they are no longer
needed some people begin to treat them like they are worthless, Americans do this to food daily
they eat what they think is enough for the moment, and throw the rest away this is just one prime
example of how people value things.
Moral values are developed through instinctive actions guidance, discipline, and reword.
For example; if a child is told, not to touch grandmas nick knacks they are breakable, and
valuable. They are not toys, so always stay away from them please, and do not play with them.
The child might know enough to look around and see if anyone is watching him/her then they
reach out and touches grandmas knick knacks. This type of behavior is not taught; it is
instinctive, however, once guidance and discipline is given to modify such behaviors. The child
soon gains the necessary mental capacity to understand why it is or is not the right thing to do.

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This newfound development now allows the child to make the correct choices based on what
he/she has learned or has just learned from their experience(s), which is precisely how they
obtained that knowledge. However, some people may still choose to do what is forbidden,
although if they happen to possess moral values, going against them usually produces guilt
within. Feelings of guilt are an internal feeling that is caused by knowing you have done
something bad or wrong.
Of course there are some among us who simply have the ability to completely ignore
their moral values. This is not typical behavior, and is the basic fundamentals of being a bully.
Although, some people are able to keep their guilt at bay, they are not able to justify their actions
when confronted by others; in fact they may become suddenly angry, and or violent so use
caution when dealing with others that show signs of having no remorse or empathy towards
others.
The formation (building of) a system that has underlying assumptions about standards
and principles that govern moral decisions, meaning that moral development involves the
formation of a system of values, on which to base decisions concerning right and wrong, good or
bad. If values are the underlying assumptions of standards that govern moral decisions, one
would hope to see others being good all the time, however, this not always the case.
People are so caught up within themselves, and their own lives that they dont care about
others until its too late. To do much of anything about it, but to let it remain the way it is, which
no means is fair and or just for all of mankind. It all boils down to selfishness. People do not do
much of anything unless they receive something from doing it. Maslows hierarchy of need
Look at the United States homelessness, and the overall financial lopsidedness that holds.
People everywhere have heard or perhaps even said it themselves, the rich get richer while the

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poor get poorer. We have all asked this question at least once in our lives, and the answer is
quite simple Really, its because we people are selfish, whats in it for me King of Bunker Hill
have you ever played that game, as a child? Or how about Monopoly, and yes these are all
games, but what do they teach us? In general they teach us, to take care of ourselves and your
loved ones. Only the strong shall survive, right? Its a doggie dog world out there. The big fish
eat the little fish. Selfishness according to Merriam-Websters dictionary of selfish: having or
showing concern only for you and not for the needs or feelings of other people. The full
definition of selfish: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating
on ones own advantage, pleasure, or will be without regard for others. Now for the medical
definition of selfish: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of healing acid that serves
no known function<selfish: DNA>; also: being genetic material solely concerned with its own
replication<selfish genes>. Thus, clearly stating that its part of our genetic makeup. Therefore,
we must learn about ethics of care according to the Encyclopedia Britannica written by Craig
P. Dunn; last updated 9-7 -2014 ethics of care, also called, care ethics, feminist philosophical
perspective that uses a relational and context bond approach toward morality and decision
making. The term ethics of care refers to ideas concerning both the nature of morality and
normative ethical theory. The ethics of care perspective stands in stark contrast to ethical theories
that relying on principles to highlight moral actions--such as Kantian deontology, utilitarianism,
and justice. -- And is not meant to be absolute and incontrovertible.
Learning = Operant conditioning: (conditioning, classical conditioning, (a.k.a.)
respondent or Pavlovian conditioning. Conditioning is a type of learning in which the
consequences of an organisms behavior to determine whether that the behavior will be repeated
again. Classical conditioning (Pavlov) summary: classical conditioning is a reflexive or

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automatic type of learning, in which a stimulus acquires the capacity to evoke a response that
was originally evoked by another stimulus. Learned: having or showing a lot of learning,
education, or knowledge - used to describe something that people get or have obtained because
of learning or experience. Full definition of learned: characterized by or associated with learned
schools> 2: acquired by learning<learned behavior> Learned behavior
: The way a person or animal acts or behaves
: The way something (such as a machine or substance) moves, functions, or reacts
Full Definition of Behavior:
A: the manner of conducting oneself B: anything that an organism does involving action and
response to stimulation C: the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
: The way in which someone behaves; also: an instance of such behavior
: The way in which something functions or operates.
Moral values vs. learned behavior: Learning about, or of, our personal values which is
how much we care, or how much we value ourselves? Self-morals are what are right, and good
about you/us? In which way does this affect your/our behavior(s)? And if behavior is a learned
thing and that learned thing is or was our morals what we see/ how we care, and feel of
ourselves and if this behavior was derived from what we value (d). What is important about
you/me and how useful are we to ourselves? Wouldnt we all agree that we should all be
treating ourselves and others right and good? Holding ourselves, and others with a great higher
amount of value towards our and theres others morals, (again which is being right and good
to self and others). Hence this essay has taught not only me, but all who read this piece, that
knowing and understanding this unique way of thinking or reasoning with this type of combining
words and there meanings and the true and real way they are ment or were ment to be understood
and perceived.

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Work cited:
www.britannica.com/
www.learning.org
www.Merriam-Websters.com/dictionary;