Lesson 6: MORAL STANDARDS VS.

NON-MORAL STANDARDS

* Different societies have different moral beliefs and that these beliefs are primarily influenced by one’s culture and
context. * This implies that some values have moral implications and others don’t.

* Thus, different cultures have different moral standards. * What is a matter of moral indifference, that is, a matter
of taste (hence, non-moral value) in one culture may be a matter of moral significance in another. * The danger here
is when one culture will impose its cultural standards on others, thereby, resulting to a clash of cultural values and
beliefs.

* In order to avoid violence and crime, such as religious violence and ethnic cleansing, one needs to understand the
difference between moral standards and non-moral ones. * Once we have distinguished moral standards from non-
moral ones, of course, through the aid of the principles and theories in ethics, we will be able to identify fundamental
ethical values that may guide our actions.

Moral Standards * They are norms (general rules about our actions or behaviors) that individuals or groups have
about the kinds of actions believed to be morally right or wrong, as well as the values (enduring beliefs or statements
about what is good and desirable or not) placed on what we believed to be morally good or morally bad.

* Moral standards normally promote “the good”, that is, the welfare and well-being of humans as well as animals
and the environment. * Moral standards, therefore, prescribe what humans ought to do in terms of rights and
obligations. * Moral standards are the sum of combined norms and values.

Characteristics 1. Moral standards deal with matters we think can seriously injure or benefit humans, animals, and
the environment, such as child abuse, rape, and murder. 2. Moral standards are not established or changed by the
decisions of authoritative individuals or bodies.

3. Moral standards are overriding, that is, they take precedence over other standards and considerations, especially
of self-interest. 4. Moral standards are based on impartial considerations, thus, they are fair and just.

5. Moral standards are associated with special emotions (such as guilt and shame) and vocabulary (such as right,
wrong, good, and bad).

Non-Moral Standards * They are standards by which we judge what is good or bad and right or wrong in a non-moral
way. * Examples of non-moral standards are the standards of etiquette, standards of law, and standards of
aesthetics. * Non-moral standards are matters of taste and preference.

* Thus, a scrupulous observance of the said standards does not actually make one a moral person and violation of
such standards does not pose any threat to human well-being.

MORAL DILEMMAS

Dilemma * This refers to a situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting options,
neither of which is acceptable.

* This implies that the person has choices to make that will all have results she does not want. * It must be noted,
however, that if the agent is in a difficult situation but is not forced to choose two or more options, then she is not
in a dilemma. * When dilemmas involve human actions with moral implications, they are called ethical or moral
dilemmas.

Moral Dilemmas * They refer to situations where moral agents are forced to choose between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which resolves the situation in a morally acceptable manner. * There are three conditions needed
to be present in a situation to be considered as a moral dilemma.

1. The agent of a moral action is obliged to make a decision about which course of action is best. She must choose
the best option and act accordingly. 2. There must be different courses of action to choose from. 3. No matter what
course of action is taken, some moral principles are always compromised.

* There is no perfect solution to the problem. * In moral dilemmas, the moral agent “seems fated to commit
something wrong which implies that she is bound to morally fail because in one way or another she will fail to do
something which she ought to do.”