MODULE 2 ENERGIZER MORAL AND NON MORAL STANDARDS
RECAP:
•Rules are meant to set order.
•Rules are not meant to restrict your freedom.
•Rules are meant to help persons choose and do what is good.
Ask: What comes in your mind when you hear the word ethics?
•Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos meaning "custom" while the term "moral" is the Latin
equivalent. •It is a study of the morality of human acts and moral agents, what makes an act obligatory
and what makes a person accountable. •It deals with ideas, with topics such as moral standards or
norms of morality, conscience, moral values and virtues. •Moral is the word describing a human act as
either ethically right or wrong, or qualifying a person, personality, character, as either ethically good or
bad. Moral Standards and Non-Moral Standards 1.) Moral Standards —are based on natural law, the law
of God revealed through human reason or the "law of God written in the hearts of men.” Examples: • Do
not lie. • Don’t steal. • Don’t cheat others. • Don’t kill. •Moral standards are either consequences
standards or non-consequence standards —Consequence standards depend on results, outcome. An act
that results in the improvement of the majority of people is, moral. —Non-consequence standards are
based on the natural law (law of God). To preserve human life is in accordance with the natural law,
therefore it is moral. 2.) Non-moral Standards —are rules of good manners and right conduct, etiquette,
rules of behavior set by parents, teachers, and standards of grammar or language, standards of art,
standards of sports set by other authorities. —In sociology, non-moral standards or rules are called
folkways. In short, non-moral actions are those where moral categories cannot be applied. Examples: •
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. •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. Classification of the Theories of Moral Standards Garner and Rosen classified
the various moral standards formulated by moral philosophers as follows: 1.) Consequence standard —
states that an act is right or wrong depending on the consequences of the act, that is, the good that is
produced in the world. —It can also be a basis for determining whether or not a rule is a right rule. 2.)
Not-only-consequence standard —holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action or rule depends on
sense of duty, natural law, Virtue and the demand of the situation or Circumstances. The rightness or
wrongness of an action does not only depend or rely on the consequence or that action or following that
rule. What Makes Standards Moral? •For theists, believers in God's existence, moral standards are
commandments of God revealed to man through prophets. •For theists, God is the ultimate source of
what is moral revealed to human persons. •For non-theists, God is not the source of morality. Moral
standards are based on the wisdom of sages like Confucius or philosophers like Immanuel Kant. •In
China, 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 Origin of Moral Standards:
Theist and Non-Theist •The moral principle, good and avoid evil" is an expression of natural law. •Man’s
obliging to respect the life, liberty, and property of his fellowman arises from the God-given sacredness,
spirituality, and dignity of his fellow man. It arises from his faith, hope, and love of God and man.
Generalization: •Moral Standard —are based on natural law, the law of God •Non Moral Standard —are
social rules, demands of etiquette and good manners. QUIZ I. TRUE OR FALSE 1. Ethics comes from the
Greek word ethos. 2. Moral is the word describing a human act as either ethically right or wrong. 3. Non
Moral Standards are based on natural law, the law of God revealed through human reason or the "law
of God written in the hearts of men.” 4. Moral Standard are social rules, demands of etiquette and good
manners. 5. Confucius taught the moral standard, “Do unto others what you like others to do unto you."
6. The moral principle, good and avoid evil" is an expression of natural law. II. GIVE EXAMPLES 7-8. Give
2 example of Moral Standard 9-10. Give 2 example of Non-Moral Standard
