overriding self-interest. It is a system of beliefs about what is right behavior and wrong behavior CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL (Rubin, 2015). STANDARDS Morality deals with how a person relates with others and with the world Moral standards involve behaviors to promote what is good (Thiroux and that seriously affect other people’s Krasemann, 2009). well-being. Is the effort to guide ones conduct by Moral standards take a more reason (Rachels, 2015). important consideration than other standards, including self-interest. WHAT IS MORAL EXPERIENCE? Moral standards do not depend on any external authority but in how the It is any encounter wherein a person person perceives the understands that the values he or she reasonableness of the action. believes to be important are either Moral standards are believed to be realized or thwarted (Hunt and universal. Carnevale, 2011). For instance, Moral standards are based on when you decide to give a poor objectivity. person some money because you Moral standards are associated with feel that it is right thing to do, is a vocabulary that depicts emotion or moral experience. feelings.
RELEVANCE OF STUDYING ETHICS NON-MORAL STANDARDS
It gives a sense of justification in Non-moral standards can be
one’s judgment and helps ensure that considered as relative standards by decisions at work are not made which something or someone is based on purely subjective factors. judged as either good or bad. The rules of non-moral standards vary WHAT ARE RULES? because these rules depend on the guidelines agreed by a particular Standards that guide human group. activities A statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular situation ETIQUETTE Rules are in place to manage harmful behaviors; prevent chaos; and Is a set of rules on how an individual encourage stability should responsibly behave in the For example, traffic rules, sports society. Table manners such as the rules proper use of utensils and the proper MORAL STANDARDS manner of eating are examples of etiquette. Moral standard is a code of what is right or wrong without reference to POLICY specific behaviors or beliefs (Lynn, 1997). It deals with matters that the It is a clear, simple statement of how person thinks have serious an organization plans to handle its consequence and is based on good services, actions, or business. Policies are guiding rules to help with of another person; or a group of people’s decision making. Example is the potential harm. wearing of school uniform and ID. Organizational dilemma – is when a LAW member or members of the organization is in a situation where there is moral conflict, and Law is a rule created and enforced by the decision will potentially harm either some the government and its agencies to members of the group or organization. maintain order, resolve disputes, and protect a person’s liberty and rights. Structural moral dilemma – is when a person or group of persons who holds high Commandment level positions in the society faces a morally conflicting situation wherein the entire social It is a rule that is to be strictly system is affected. observed because it was said to be set by a divine entity such as those in According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Ten Commandments (Stahl, the fundamental difference between animal 2009). ethics and human ethics is that animals behave instinctively while human behavior is 3 LEVELS OF MORAL DILEMMA: rational. PERSONAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND STRUCTURAL Rational Behavior - It is a decision making process where the person acts in ways that Personal – a person whose choice will best achieve his or her needs in accordance adversely affect very important people in with his or her set preferences, priorities, and your life principles.
Organizational – a business owner whose What does “human person” mean?
choice will adversely affect either the company or the employees A human person is a being with inborn properties that he or she uses Structural – a high ranking government to direct his or her own development official who needs to choose between toward self-fulfillment. One of the implementing or not implementing a policy inborn properties of the human not because it will affect the poor person is freedom. communities, but not implementing it will also impact the environment What is your understanding of freedom?
Dilemma - is a situation in which a difficult Freedom is a gift.
choice has to be made between two or more Freedom is Complementary to alternatives, especially equally undesirable Reason ones. Thus, when you find yourself facing a Freedom is Absolute problem but the solutions available to you will Freedom demands responsibility only create another problem or worse create more problems, then you are in a dilemma.
THREE LEVELS OF MORAL DILEMMA
Personal Moral Dilemma – is when your
decision in a situation where there is moral conflict is the cause of either your own; that