MORALS

• Morals are the welfare principles enunciated by wise people, based on their
experience and wisdom.
• They were edited, changed or modified or evolved to suit the geography of
the region, rulers (dynasty), and in accordance with the development of
knowledge in science and technology and with time.
• Morality is concerned with principles and practices of morals such as:
• a) What ought or ought not to be done in a given situation?
• b) What is right or wrong about the handling of a situation? and
• c) What is good or bad about the people, policies, and ideals involved?
 Morals Ethics

1. More general and prescriptive based on 1. Specific and descriptive. It is a critical

customs and traditions. reflection on morals.

2. More concerned with the results of wrong 2. More concerned with the results of a right
action, when done. action, when not done.

3. Thrust is on judgment and punishment, in 3. Thrust is on influence, education, training

the name of God or by laws. through codes, guidelines, and correction.

4. In case of conflict between the two,

morality is given top priority, because the 4. Less serious, hence second priority only.
Less common. But relevant today, because of
damage is more. It is more common and
basic. complex interactions in the modern society.

5. Example: Character flaw, corruption, 5. Example: Notions or beliefs about

extortion, and crime. manners, tastes, customs, and towards laws.
 VALUES

• A value is defined as a principle that promotes well-being or prevents harm.”

• Another definition is: Values are our guidelines for our success—our paradigm about what is
acceptable.”
• Personal values are defined as: “Emotional beliefs in principles regarded as particularly
favourable or important for the individual.”
• Our values associate emotions with our experiences and guide our choices, decisions and
actions.
• The five core human values are:
• (1) Right conduct, (2) Peace, (3) Truth, (4) Love, and (5) Non-violence.
Values related to RIGHT CONDUCT are:
(a)  SELF-HELP SKILLS: Care of possessions, diet, hygiene, modesty, posture, self-reliance,
and tidy appearance
(b)  SOCIAL SKILLS: Good behaviour, good manners, good relationships, helpfulness, No
wastage, and good environment, and
(c)  ETHICAL SKILLS: Code of conduct, courage, dependability, duty, efficiency,
 VALUES

• Values related to PEACE are: Attention, calmness, concentration, contentment, dignity,

discipline, equality, equanimity, faithfulness, focus, gratitude, happiness, harmony,
humility, inner silence, optimism, patience, reflection, satisfaction, self-acceptance,
self-confidence, self-control, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-respect, sense control,
tolerance, and understanding
• Values related to TRUTH are: Accuracy, curiosity, discernment, fairness, fearlessness,
honesty, integrity (unity of thought, word, and deed), intuition, justice, optimism,
purity, quest for knowledge, reason, self-analysis, sincerity, sprit of enquiry, synthesis,
trust, truthfulness, and determination.
• Values related to LOVE are: Acceptance, affection, care, compassion, consideration,
dedication, devotion, empathy, forbearance, forgiveness, friendship, generosity,
gentleness, humanness, interdependence, kindness, patience, patriotism, reverence,
sacrifice, selflessness, service, sharing, sympathy, thoughtfulness, tolerance and trust
 What is Ethics?

• Derived from the Greek word “ethos”, which means “way of living”,
ethics is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with human
conduct, more specifically the behaviour of individuals in society.
• Ethics examines the rational justification for our moral judgments;
it studies what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust.
• In a broader sense, ethics reflects on human beings and their
interaction with nature and with other humans, on freedom, on
responsibility and on justice. It can be said that in general, ethics is
concerned with human independence when it focuses on the
relationship that exists between humans and the world.
 What is Ethics?

• Ethics is important not so that “we can understand” philosophically, but rather so we
can “improve how we live” (Lafollette, 2007).
• By being moral, we enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. It’s especially
important to live a moral life when we are young, as it is helpful to exercise and practice
these concepts before being confronted with more complex issues.
• Lafollette (2007) theorizes that ethics is like most everything else that we strive to be
good at; it requires practice and effort. Practicing and making an effort to make moral
decisions throughout life will pay dividends when we are faced with serious moral
dilemmas.
• Lafollette (2007) also emphasizes the need to understand and develop our virtues.
Knowing that we ought to behave in a certain way, yet missing an opportunity to
exercise moral behaviour, is an indication of the need to “sharpen moral vision.” For
example, we know that we ought to stay in good physical shape but often do not. This
illustrates the need to be mindful of a virtue (in this case perseverance) that is
important and must be developed.
 Rules of ethics
The following are the forms of the golden rules in ethics.
Each of these forms the basis of all human values:
• Everything you want others to do to you, you should
do to others.
• Do not do to others anything, which you do not wish
them to do to you.
• Do not do anything to others that if done to you would
harm you.
Ethics refers to the principles and values that guide moral decision-making and behaviour.
Holistic life refers to the belief in the interconnectedness of all aspects of life, and the
importance of addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of an
individual in order to achieve overall well-being.

In a holistic life approach, ethics plays an important role as it guides one's actions and decisions
in order to promote well-being and balance in all aspects of life. This can include being mindful
of the impact of one's actions on the environment, treating others with compassion and
respect, and taking responsibility for one's own well-being.

Adopting an ethical and holistic life approach often involves developing self-awareness,
engaging in regular self-care practices, and making choices that align with one's values. It can
also involve actively working to build a more just and equitable society, and taking steps to
reduce harm and promote well-being for all individuals and communities.

It is important to note that ethical considerations may vary based on culture, religion, personal
beliefs and circumstances
 Concept of successful life happy life and meaningful life

A successful life, a happy life, and a meaningful life are all different concepts that can overlap but
also have distinct differences.

A successful life is often defined by the achievement of specific goals, such as career advancement,
financial stability, or personal accomplishments. Success can also be defined by the attainment of
status, power, or material possessions.

A happy life is often associated with positive emotions, such as joy, contentment, and satisfaction.
Happiness can come from a variety of sources, such as relationships, personal growth, or a sense of
purpose.
A meaningful life is one that has purpose and significance. It is often associated with making a
positive impact on the world, whether it be through one's work, relationships, or community
involvement. A meaningful life can also come from a sense of connection to something greater than
oneself, such as spirituality or a sense of belonging.

In summary, a successful life is often defined by achieving goals and attaining status, a happy life is
associated with positive emotions, and a meaningful life is one that has purpose and makes a
positive impact. It is possible to have elements of all three in one life.
 Ethical and decision making and its development

Ethical decision making refers to the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a way
that is consistent with ethical principles. This process can involve considering the potential
consequences of different options, as well as consulting relevant ethical theories or frameworks.

The development of ethical decision making can be influenced by a variety of factors, including an
individual's personal values and beliefs, as well as the culture and norms of their organization or
community. Formal ethical training and education can also play a role in developing ethical decision-
making skills.

Additionally, various cognitive biases can affect ethical decision making and people may be
influenced by their emotions, social pressures, and mental shortcuts in making ethical decisions.
Therefore, it is important for individuals and organizations to be aware of these potential biases and
take steps to mitigate them.

In recent years, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the ethical decision making has
become even more important as these systems are increasingly being used to make important
decisions with potentially far-reaching consequences. Therefore, there are ongoing efforts to develop
 Points on holistic life and living ethically

Living a holistic life generally means taking a balanced approach to all aspects of one's life,
including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. This can include things
like maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, practicing mindfulness and self-care,
and cultivating meaningful relationships and connections with others.

Living ethically can mean different things to different people, but generally speaking it
involves making decisions and taking actions that align with one's personal values and
principles, and that consider the impact of those actions on others and the world at large.
This can include things like being honest and transparent in one's actions, treating others
with respect and kindness, and working to reduce harm and promote fairness and justice.

It is also important to note that living holistically and ethically is not a destination, but a
journey. We can always strive to be better and do better
 The Importance of Ethical Behavior
• Make society better. When we help make society better, we are rewarded with also
making better own lives and the lives of our families and friends. Without moral conduct, society
would be a miserable place.
• Treat everyone equally. Equality is a cornerstone of most democracies, where all individuals
are afforded the same rights. This is not possible without the majority of citizens behaving in a
moral manner.
• Secure meaningful employment. Often employers will look at a person’ past behaviour as a
predictor of future behaviour. Someone who has a history of immoral behaviour will have
difficulty securing employment in a meaningful job, as that person may not be trusted.
• Succeed at business. If you are employed in an occupation in which there you must rely on
others, your moral conduct will determine the degree of goodwill that you receive from others.
Businesses that have a checkered moral history are typically viewed with caution and are
unlikely to attract new customers through word of mouth, and therefore are unlikely to prosper.
This is especially the case where social media ­makes customer reviews readily accessible.
• Lessen stress. When we make immoral decisions, we tend to feel uncomfortable and concerned
about our decision-making. Making the right moral decision, or taking a principled perspective
on an issue, reduces stress.
 Principles of Ethics
1.Make Things Better. Ethics requires that we improve life’s circumstances,
not from a wealth perspective or success, but by engaging in virtuous
behaviour. Making things better is to lead a life of virtue – strive to achieve
happiness in our lives and avoid harming others.
2.Treat Others Fairly. The Golden Rule comes into play here. Ask yourself: Is
this the way I would choose to be treated if the shoe were on the other
foot? Treating others fairly means treating them with respect.
3.Consider the Consequences of Your Actions. Our actions affect others.
Remember that the ends do not justify the means. How we get to our goal
is just as important as getting there. If this wasn’t so, we could rationalize
abusing others in the name of achieving an end.
 Principles of Ethics
4.Respect the Rights of Others. How our lives go depends as much on
whether we respect ourselves as much as respecting others. Apply the
same standards of behaviour in dealing with others as we do to
ourselves. Be consistent in your actions.
5.Act with Integrity: We must be careful of what we think we are,
because we may become that.
Integrity requires that we develop our character based on what
Stephen Covey calls “natural laws” that govern human effectiveness.
These laws exist whether we believe in them, value them, or not.
 Piaget’s Theory of Moral development

• According to Piaget, children between 5 and 10 years perceive rules as absolute

and unchangeable, which he calls moral realism. Furthermore, children at this stage
have a “heteronomous morality”. That is to say, it is directed by others, namely the
authorities who make the rules (parents, teachers...). Rules are followed in order to
avoid punishment or other negative consequences.
• As children learn to take the perspective of others (from 10 years onwards), they
also begin to perceive rules as less absolute and black-and-white but more as
socially agreed upon guidelines designed to benefit the group. Piaget calls this a
“morality of co-operation”. Furthermore, children at this age begin to judge how
the wrong action is by the intention of the agent. Their understanding of fairness
simply repeats what other generations change from simple reciprocity to “ideal
reciprocity” which takes into account have done; men and women who are in the
other person's best interests.
Piaget's theory had great effects on our understanding of moral development and
influenced later models, such as Kohlberg's. However, more recent research has not
always confirmed his findings: For example, he under-estimated the age at which children
become aware of other person's moral intentions. And moral development does not
conclude in youth, as Piaget believed, but goes on in adulthood (Piaget 1932; Oswalt
2010).

Piaget's theory had great effects on our understanding of moral development and
influenced later models, such as Kohlberg's. However, more recent research has not
always confirmed his findings: For example, he under-estimated the age at which children
become aware of other person's moral intentions. And moral development does not
conclude in youth, as Piaget believed, but goes on in adulthood (Piaget 1932; Oswalt
2010; Oswalt n. d.; Schmidt n. d.).
 Self Introspective Questions
• Did I practice any virtues today? In The Book of Virtues, William Bennett notes that
virtues are "habits of the heart" we learn through models--the loving parent or aunt, the
demanding teacher, the respectful manager, the honest shopkeeper. They are the best parts
of ourselves.
• Did I do more good than harm today? Or did I try to? Consider the short term and long-
term consequences of your actions.
• Did I treat people with dignity and respect today? All human beings should be treated
with dignity simply because they are human. People have moral rights, especially the
fundamental right to be treated as free and equal human beings, not as things to be
manipulated, controlled, or cast away.
• Was I fair and just today? Did I treat each person the same unless there was some relevant
moral reason to treat him or her differently? Was my community better because I was in
it?
• Was I better because I was in my community? Consider your primary community,
however, you define it--neighbourhood, apartment building, family, company, etc. Now ask
yourself, Was I able to get beyond my own interests to make that community stronger? Was I
able to draw on my community's strengths to help me in my own process of becoming more
human?