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  • Philo 101 1PRELIM Lesson 2 Moral and Non-Moral Standards

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    This document distinguishes between moral and non-moral standards. Moral standards are norms that determine right and wrong actions based on frameworks like ethics. Examples include "stealing is wrong" and "killing is wrong." Non-moral standards are social rules and etiquette that guide behavior but may change over time, like dress codes or manners. The document examines different views on what makes standards moral, such as religious commands from God or philosophies like Kant's Categorical Imperative that standards should be universally applied.

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    This document distinguishes between moral and non-moral standards. Moral standards are norms that determine right and wrong actions based on frameworks like ethics. Examples include "stealing is wrong" and "killing is wrong." Non-moral standards are social rules and etiquette that guide behavior but may change over time, like dress codes or manners. The document examines different views on what makes standards moral, such as religious commands from God or philosophies like Kant's Categorical Imperative that standards should be universally applied.

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    19K views5 pages

    Philo 101 1PRELIM Lesson 2 Moral and Non-Moral Standards

    Uploaded by

    Teree Zu
    This document distinguishes between moral and non-moral standards. Moral standards are norms that determine right and wrong actions based on frameworks like ethics. Examples include "stealing is wrong" and "killing is wrong." Non-moral standards are social rules and etiquette that guide behavior but may change over time, like dress codes or manners. The document examines different views on what makes standards moral, such as religious commands from God or philosophies like Kant's Categorical Imperative that standards should be universally applied.

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    of 5

    Lesson 2: MORAL AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS

    Learning Objective:
     Distinguish between moral and non-moral standards
     Identify examples of moral and non-moral standards

    INTRODUCTION
    We often hear the terms "moral standards" and "non-moral standards."
    What do these refer to? What about the word "immoral?" Is there such a thing as
    immoral standards? Is immoral synonymous with non-moral?

    MOTIVATING ACTIVITY:
    1. Classify the following into groups: moral standards and non-moral standards.
    1. No talking while your mouth is full.
    2. Do not lie.
    3. Wear black or white for mourning; never red.
    4. The males should be the one to propose marriage not females.
    5. Don't steal.
    6. Observe correct grammar when writing and speaking English.
    7. Submit school requirements on time.
    8. If you are a male, stay by the danger side (roadside) when walking with a
    female.
    9. Go with the fashion or you are not "in"
    10. Don't cheat others.
    11. Don't kill.
    12. When you speak pronounce words correctly.
    13. Focus the microscope properly.
    14. Maintain a 36-24-36 body figure.

    LESSON PROPER:
    Moral Standards and Non-Moral Standards
    Since ethics is a study of moral standards, then the first question for the
    course is, what are moral standards?

    The following are supposed to be examples of moral standards:


     "Stealing is wrong."
     "Killing is wrong,”
     “Telling lies is wrong."
     "Adultery is wrong."
     "Environment preservation is the right thing to do."
     "Freedom with responsibility is the right way."
     "Giving what is due to others is justice".
    * Hence, moral standards are norms or prescriptions that serve as the frameworks
    for determining what ought to be done or what is right or wrong action, what is
    good or bad character.

    In the Activity phase of this Lesson the following can be classified as moral
    standards:
     Do not lie.
     Don't steal.
     Don't cheat others.
     Don't kill

    Moral Standards:
    1. consequences standards (like Stuart Mill's utilitarianism)
    2. non-consequence standards (like Aristotle's Virtue, St Thomas Natural Law, or Immanuel Kant’s
    Good Will or Sense of duty).

    Consequence standards depend on results, outcome. An act that results in the


    general welfare, in the greatest good of the greatest number, is moral. To take
    part in a project that results in the improvement of the majority of people is,
    therefore, moral.
    Non-consequence standards are based on:
    1) Natural law is the law of God revealed through human reason. It is the "law of
    God written in the hearts of men." To preserve human life is in accordance with
    the natural law, therefore it is moral.
    2) Good Will or Intention and on a Sense of Duty. Respect for humanity,
    treatment of the other as a human person, an act that is moral, springs from a
    sense of duty, a sense of duty that you wish will apply to all human persons.

    Non-Moral Standards:
     social rules
     demands of etiquette
     good manners
     folkways
     rules of behavior set by parents, teachers and school
     standards of grammar or language, arts and sports

    *They are guides of action which should be followed as expected by society.


    Sometimes they may not be followed or some people may not follow them. From
    time to time, changes are made regarding good manners or etiquette. In sociology,
    non-moral standards or rules are called folkways. In short, non-moral actions are
    those where moral categories cannot be applied.

    In the Activity phase of this Lesson, the following are non-moral standards:
     No talking while your mouth is full.
     Wear black or white for mourning; never red.
     The males should be the one to propose marriage not females.
     Observe correct grammar when writing and speaking English.
     Submit school requirements on time.
     If you are a male, stay by the danger side (roadside) when walking with a
    female.
     When you speak pronounce words correctly.
     Focus the microscope properly.
     Maintain a good body figure.
    *An indicator whether or not a standard is moral or non-moral lies in its
    compliance as distinguished from its non-compliance. Non-compliance with moral
    standards causes a sense of guilt, while non-compliance with a non-moral
    standard may only cause shame or embarrassment.

    What Makes Standards Moral?


     The question means what obliges us to follow a moral standard?
     For theists, believers in God's existence, moral standards are commandments
    of God revealed to man through prophets.
     According to the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments were revealed by
    God to Moses.
     One who believes in God vows to Him and obliges himself/herself to follow His
    Ten Commandments.
     For theists, God is the ultimate source of what is moral revealed to human
    persons.
    How about Non-theists?
     Moral standards are based on the wisdom of sages like Confucius or
    philosophers like Immanuel Kant.

     In China, 1993 B. C., Confucius taught the moral


    standard, "Do unto others what you like others to do
    unto you" and persuaded people to follow this rule
    because it is the right way, the gentleman's way.

     Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, formulated a


    criterion for determining what makes a moral standard
    moral. It is stated as follows:
    o "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at
    the same time will that it should become a universal
    law." In other words, if a maxim or standard cannot
    pass this test, it cannot be a moral standard.
    o For instance, does the maxim "Stealing is wrong" pass
    this test? Can one will that this maxim be a universal maxim? The answer is
    in the affirmative. The opposite of the maxim would not be acceptable.
    o Moral standards are standards that we want to be followed by all; otherwise,
    one would be wishing one's own ill fortune. Can you wish "do not kill" to be a
    universal maxim? The answer has to be yes because if you say "no" then you
    are not objecting to someone killing you.
    o Thus, the universal necessity of the maxim, what makes it a categorical
    imperative is what makes it obligatory. "Stealing is wrong" means "one ought
    not to steal" and "Do not kill" means "one ought not to kill." It is one's
    obligation not to steal or kill. Ultimately, the obligation arises from the need
    of self-preservation.

    REFERENCE:
    Corpuz, R., Corpuz, B. (2020). Ethics . Manila, Philippines. LORIMAR Publishing.

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