Module 3: The Act
Group 3 Member:
Royet A. Benarao
Arnulfo Saman
INTRODUCTION
One of the most difficult things in life is making
decisions. In our decision, at stake is not only our
own destiny but of our companions, peers,
coworkers, and loved ones or perhaps even a
greater number of people.
TOPIC 1: FEELINGS AND MORAL DECISION-
MAKING
Most of the time we tend to respond to a moral
dilemma without understanding why we reacted that way.
Sometimes we are highly emotional as we express our
approval or disapproval of various acts. Our feeling can be
an obstacle in becoming ethical. Thus, it is important to
understand the role of feelings on morality.
Feelings and Moral Decision-Making
There are at least two theories in ethics that give focus on the role
of feelings on morality. They are (1) Ethical subjectivism and (2)
Emotivism. But before the discussion of these theories, let us first
deal with the view that feelings are instinctive and trained response
to moral dilemmas.
Feelings as Instinctive Response to Moral Dilemmas
Some ethicists believe that ethics is also a matter of emotion. They
hold that moral judgments at their best should also be emotional.
Feelings are seen necessary in ethical judgment as they are even
deemed by some as instinctive and trained responses to moral
dilemmas.
FEELINGS AS OBSTACLES TO MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
Feelings and emotions, however can become obstacles
or impediments to becoming ethical. This is the case
especially when feelings roles in ethics are
misinterpreted or exaggerated. As a way of proving this,
let us discuss the two lamous (but righteous) feeling
based theories in Ethics.
EMOTIVISM
One way to look at Emotivism is to view it as an improved version of
subjectivism. Considered by its proponents as far subtler and
sophisticated than subjectivism. Considered by its proponent as far subtler
and sophisticated than subjectivism. Emotivism is deemed invulnerable to
many objections. This theory was developed chiefly by the American
Philosopher
Charles L. Stevenson (1909-1979) has been one of the most influential
theories of Ethics in the 20th Century.The theory basically states that
moral judgments express positive or negative feelings .
Emotivism is actually the most popular form of non-cognitivism, the meta-
ethical theory that claims that ethical sentences do not convey, authentic
propositions. Moral judgments, according to Emotivism, are not statements of
act but are mere expression of the emotion of the speaker, especially since
they usually feelings-based.
Emotivism claims that they have two entirely different purposes: First, they
are used as a means of influencing others behavior. If someone says
"Stealing is immoral," Emotivism interpret it as an attempt to stop you from
doing the act. Thus, the utterance is more like command it is equivalent to
saying, "Don't do that!“ Second, moral sentences are used to express (not
report the speaker's attitude. Accordingly, saying "Fair play is good is not like
saying approve of fair play, but it is like saying "Hurrah for fair play!".
So there lies the difference
between Emotivism and
Subjectivism.
ETHICAL SUBJECTIVISM
This basically utterly runs contrary to the principle that there is
objectivity in morality. Fundamentally a meta-ethical theory, Ethical
subjectivism is not about that things are good and what things are bad.
It also does not tell how we should live or what moral norms we should
practice. Instead, it is a theory about moral judgment. In ethical
subjectivism, there is no such things as objective right or real wrong.
Analyzing Ethical Subjectivism. Ethical subjectivism suggest that we
are to identify our moral principles by simply following our feelings. On
a positive note, it allows us to think for ourselves because it implies that
we need not agree with culture or society.
EMOTIVISM VS SUBJECTIVISM
Subjectivism interprets ethical statements as statement of fact,
particularly as report of the speaker's attitude in subjectivism, when
John says "Hazing is immoral," this is the same as "John disapprove of
hazing It is therefore seen as a statement of fact about John’s attitude,
which could be true or false.
Emotivism on the other hand, denies that John's utterance states any
fact at all even a fact about him Instead, John's utterance is viewed as
equivalent to something such as (1) Hazing-yetch and (2) Do not
participate in hazing"
EVALUATING EMOTIVISM
It is barely sensible to base a moral theory on
logical positivism as this view has been abandoned
and rejected by Philosophers. For one thing,
logical positivism is self-recruiting as the view is
not itself verifiable by sense experience and thus
would not be a genuine truth to claim on its own
grounds.
FEELINGS AND DECISIONS
Feelings can Help in Making the Right Decision, there
are situations in which our feelings and likings are
relevant to the rightness of our decisions and actions. In
selecting a course to take, a job to assume and
especially a person to marry, we wonder one's decision
can be really right without at least considering our
feelings taste and preference
TOPIC 2: REASON AND IMPARTIALITY AS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR MORALITY
REASON AND IMPARTIALITY DEFINED
Reason - Humans have not only feelings but also reason, and
reasons plays a vital role in Ethics. In fact, moral truths of reasons;
that is, a moral judgment is true if it is espoused by better reasons
than the alternatives.
If someone tells us that a certain action is immoral, we may ask why
it is so, and if there is no reasonable answer, we may discard the
proposition as absurd. Also, if somebody utters that a particular act
is wrong and explains that is because it does not happen to fit his
taste, then we also do not count his claim as a legitimate ethical
judgment. Clearly thus, reason is a necessary requirement for
morality.
cont’d.
At least in Philosophy, reason is the basis or motive for an action,
decision, or conviction. As a quality, it refers to the capacity for logical
rational and analytic thought; for consciously making sense. of things,
establishing and verifying facts, applying common sense and logic, and
justifying and if necessary, changing practices, institutions, and beliefs
based on existing new exiting information.
Impartiality - On the other hand, impartiality involves the idea that each
individuals interest and point of view are equally important. Also called
even handedness or fair-mindedness, impartiality is a principle of
justice holding that decisions ought to be based on objective criteria
rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to
one person another for improper reasons.
cont’d.
Impartiality in morality requires that we give equal and or adequate
consideration to the interest of all concerned parties. The principle of
impartiality assumes that every person, generally speaking, is equally
important; that is no one is seen as intrinsically more significant than
anyone else.
Humans have not only feelings but also reason, and reasons plays a
vital role in Ethics. In fact, moral truths of reasons, that is, a moral
judgment is true if it is espoused by better reasons than the alternatives
THE 7-STEP MORAL REASONING MODEL
1) Gather the Facts - Some moral dilemmas can be resolved
just by clarifying the facts of the case in question. But in
more complex cases, gathering the facts is the
indispensable first step prior to any ethical analysis and
reflection on the case.
2) Determine the Ethical Issues - The moral issues should be
correctly stated in terms of competing interests. It is these
conflicting interests that practically make for a moral
dilemma.
3. Identify the Principles that Have a Bearing on the Case.
What principles have a bearing on the case? In any moral dilemma,
there are sure moral values or principles that are vital to the rival
positions being taken. It is very significant value or principles that
are vital to the rival positions being taken. For Rae, biblical
principles will be clearly weighted the most heavily. But there may
be other principles essentially relevant to the case that may come
from other sources.
4. List the Alternatives. This step involves coming up with various
alternatives courses of actions as part of the creative thinking included in
resolving a moral dilemma.
5. Compare the Alternatives with the Principles. This step involves eliminating
alternatives according to the moral principles that have a bearing on the case. In
many cases, the case will be resolved at this point, since the
principles will remove all alternatives except one. As a matter, of fact, the purpose
of this comparison is to determine whether there is a clear decision that can be
made without further deliberation.
6. Weight the Consequences - If the principles do not produce a clear decision,
then a consideration of the consequences of the remaining available alternative is
in order
7. Make a Decision - After deliberation, decision should be made.
TOPIC 3: MORAL COURAGE
We have learned that reliance on feelings is
disadvantageous. In resolving dilemmas, we are thus
advised to guide our emotion with reason, if not totally
suppress them. But reason, for many ethicists, is also not
enough in carrying out moral decisions. Moral Courage is
also as important.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
Both will and moral courage are important in a good rational moral decision. But we need
to clarify the definition of the moral courage.
Moral courage means doing the right thing even at the risk of inconvenience, ridicule,
punishment, loss of job or security or social status, etc. Moral courage requires that we
rise above the apathy or social status, etc. Moral courage requires that we rise above the
apathy, complacency, hatred, cynicism and fear-mongering in our political systems,
socioeconomic division and cultural religious differences.
One sense of the concept will refer to that faculty of the mind which chooses at the
moment of making decisions, the strongest desire from among the various desires
present. Will does not refer to any particular desire, but rather to the capacity to act
decisively on one's desires. Within philosophy the will is important as one of the distinct
parts of the mind, along with reason and understanding. It is considered important to
ethics because of its central role in enabling a person to act deliberately. Commonly, we
think of will in the active sense, of self-control, of working toward attaining goals.
DEVELOPING WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
The following are tips or suggestions on how to develop will and moral courage.
Develop and practice self-discipline. One way to develop moral courage and will is
to develop and practice self-discipline. Developing will and courage involves
developing self-control. It includes nurturing the ability to stick to actions, thoughts
and behavior, which lead to moral improvement and success. It encompasses
endowing the inner strength to focus all the energy on a moral goal and persevere
until it is accomplished.
Do mental strength training. One of the simplest and effective methods under this
mental strength training involves declining to satisfy unimportant and unnecessary
desires.
Draw inspiration from people of great courage. People usually admire and respect
courageous persons who won great success by manifesting self-discipline and will
power.
Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral courage and will. A person must strive doing
the acts that manifest them whenever opportunity allows it.
THANK YOU !!!
