1. Module 2: Morality and the Law
Definition of Morality
Moral Theories
Moral Codes
Moral Standards
Guilt and Conscience
Natural Law
Conventional Law
Purpose of Laws
Morality and the Law
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

2. Definition of Morality
A set of rules of right conduct
A system used to modify and regulate our behavior
It includes virtues like:
Love for others
Compassion.
Desire for justice.
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

3. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Morality …
It builds character traits in individuals.
It is group-based in the sense that it is a set of shared rules, principles and duties applicable to a group/society and independent of religion.
It has no reference to social standing of individuals in the group
It is influenced by other factors like:
Time
place
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

4. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Moral Theories
Each group/society justifies its beliefs in the system (set of rules of right conduct) using theories- Moral Theories.
Moral theories seek to introduce a degree of rationality and rigor into moral deliberations. (plausibility)
The rationale for our decisions is based on moral theories
Good decisions must ensure:
sound reasoning
Impartiality
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

5. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Moral Theories…
5. These must be guided through:
Use of rational intuition- based on moral principles
Use of reason to achieve the highest moral good
Ability to distinguish between primary and secondary moral principles ( general to more specific)
Rational calculation of consequences of action based on the decision
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

6. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Moral Codes
Rules or norms within a group or society for what is proper behavior for the members
Shared and behavioral patterns (for survival of the group/society)
There are some cultural-free and timeless moral codes
Moral codes exert control over actions of members of that society or group
Compliance/adherence to the group’s moral code is almost involuntary
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

7. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Moral Standards
A moral standard is a special moral norm that guides and enforces policy
Standards consists of:
Enforcement of moral codes
Self-judgment (Guilt)
Moral standards lax when enforcement and self-judgment decline
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

8. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Guilt and Conscience
Morality as the system that sets standards for virtuous conduct also contains judgment and enforcement mechanisms
Guilt is an internal judging and enforcement mechanism that consists of:
Self-judging and punishing oneself for not living up to the moral standards
Self-forgiveness based on one’s set of “ moral standards”
Conscience is the capacity and ability to self-judge based on self moral standards
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

9. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Guilt and Conscience …
Conscience is motivated by one’s:
Pride
Compassion
Empathy
Love
Personal identification
Conscience initiates one’s guilt feeling
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

10. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Law
Rules of conduct or actions recognized by customs or decreed by a formal body and enforceable by some instrument.
We obey two types of laws: Natural and Conventional
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

11. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Natural Law
Unwritten but universal
consists of rights:
Self-defense (preservation)
Individual property
Liberty
It is a higher form of human law, therefore, independent of human preferences and applies to all rational creatures of nature
Before organized human societies, humans existed because of natural law.
Civilization is based on it.
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

12. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Conventional Law
It is a system of rules created by and for human beings – through, though not always, public deliberations
It varies from society to society
Its purpose is to:
Protect human life, property and liberty.
prescribe a system or punishments for unlawful acts – Penal Code
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza

13. Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza
Morality and the Law
Laws are derived from moral codes
The differences are stated on pages 8 and 9.
Ethical and Social Issues - J.M. Kizza