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Module 2: Morality and the Law

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. Definition of Morality. A set of rules of right conduct

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Module 2: Morality and the Law

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

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