Module 2: Morality and the Law Definition of Morality Moral Theories Moral Codes Moral Standards Guilt and Conscience Natural Law Conventional Law Purpose of Laws Morality and the Law Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Definition of Morality A set of rules of right conduct A system used to modify and regulate our behavior It includes virtues like: Love for others Compassion. Desire for justice. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Morality … It builds character traits in individuals. It is group-based in the sense that it is a set of shared rules, principles and duties applicable to a group/society and independent of religion. It has no reference to social standing of individuals in the group It is influenced by other factors like: Time place Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Moral Theories Each group/society justifies its beliefs in the system (set of rules of right conduct) using theories- Moral Theories. Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into moral deliberations. (plausibility) The rationale for our decisions is based on moral theories Good decisions must ensure: sound reasoning Impartiality Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Moral Theories… 5. These must be guided through: Use of rational intuition- based on moral principles Use of reason to achieve the highest moral good Ability to distinguish between primary and secondary moral principles ( general to more specific) Rational calculation of consequences of action based on the decision Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Moral Codes Rules or norms within a group or society for what is proper behavior for the members Shared and behavioral patterns (for survival of the group/society) There are some cultural-free and timeless moral codes Moral codes exert control over actions of members of that society or group Compliance/adherence to the group’s moral code is almost involuntary Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Moral Standards A moral standard is a special moral norm that guides and enforces policy Standards consists of: Enforcement of moral codes Self-judgment (Guilt) Moral standards lax when enforcement and self-judgment decline Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Guilt and Conscience Morality as the system that sets standards for virtuous conduct also contains judgment and enforcement mechanisms Guilt is an internal judging and enforcement mechanism that consists of: Self-judging and punishing oneself for not living up to the moral standards Self-forgiveness based on one’s set of “ moral standards” Conscience is the capacity and ability to self-judge based on self moral standards Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Guilt and Conscience … Conscience is motivated by one’s: Pride Compassion Empathy Love Personal identification Conscience initiates one’s guilt feeling Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Law Rules of conduct or actions recognized by customs or decreed by a formal body and enforceable by some instrument. We obey two types of laws: Natural and Conventional Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Natural Law Unwritten but universal consists of rights: Self-defense (preservation) Individual property Liberty It is a higher form of human law, therefore, independent of human preferences and applies to all rational creatures of nature Before organized human societies, humans existed because of natural law. Civilization is based on it. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Conventional Law It is a system of rules created by and for human beings – through, though not always, public deliberations It varies from society to society Its purpose is to: Protect human life, property and liberty. prescribe a system or punishments for unlawful acts – Penal Code Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza Morality and the Law Laws are derived from moral codes The differences are stated on pages 8 and 9. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza