Friday, November 22, 2013

Question: How do you define "moral"?

I have a question and need your help. If you care to respond, I will tabulate and share with all who participate.
How do YOU define moral? I know what the dictionary says: relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior, conforming to a standard of right behavior, sanctioned by one's conscience or ethical judgment. But how do you "know" what is right?
Some textbooks divide actions into moral, immoral, and amoral categories. I agree that 2 + 2 = 4 is amoral, but I am sympathetic with Kierkegaard's insistence that all decisions/actions are either moral or immoral. What do you think?
Textbooks also teach that actions/decisions are moral based on (1) principles regardless of consequencies or (2) determined by the consequencies of the action. With regard to #1 for example, it is wrong (immoral) to lie, despite the consequences. With regard to #2, the morality of the decision/action is determined by the consequences. For example you are hiding Jews in your attic and the Gestapo asks you if you are hiding Jews. You answer that you are not (lieing). Many of us would say this decision/action is moral based on consequences.
But there is a fundamental, prior question. How do YOU determine/decide the values you will use in making moral decisions? There are more options than I have time or space to identify. Brief list: religious/revelation; rational (Kant's Categorical Imperative); utilitarian; hedonistic; legalistic etc etc.
Example and this is not a political question: when it comes to healthcare, do we make our decision on the basis of human need, religious principles, or monetary reality? I think all make compelling cases, but how do I decide what is the "moral" decision? and does one have to be right and all others wrong?
When I have chosen my moral frame of reference, there is the challenge of moral judgment, how do I make a moral decision about anything? That is a question for later.
I hope you will join the discussion. Peace.

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