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 orb bstatements about what is good and desirable or not) placed on what we believed to be morally good or morally bad. Some examples of norms are obligation to fulfill our promises killing innocent people is absolutely wrong. Some examples of values are helping the poor is good cheating during exams is 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 dobbin 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 amoral person and violation of such standards does not pose any threat to human well-being.
In moral standard, we say “Don’t kill innocent people orb bDont steal and the like. In a non-moral standard, we say “Don’t text while driving or “Don’t speak when your mouth is full and the like.
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. o This implies that the person has choices to make that will all have results she does not want. o 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. o When dilemmas involve human actions with moral implications, they are called ethical or moral dilemmas.
Moral Dilemma It is a situation where moral agents are forced to choose between two or more conflicting options, neither of which resolves the situation in ab bmorally acceptable manner. There are three conditions needed to be present in a situation to be considered as amoral dilemma. 1. The agent of amoral 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.”
