theory of morality
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Theory of Morality
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We make moral judgements of behaviour by consulting our conscience (which could be defined as “the intersection of the mind and the soul”.)
• We do this by comparing a behaviour’s motivation with its impact.
• When motivation and impact are perceived to be good, we judge an action to be “right”.
• When motivation and impact are perceived to be bad, we judge an action to be “wrong”.
Realm
of
the s
oul (m
oti
vati
on)
Realm
of
the s
oul (m
oti
vati
on)
Realm of the mind (knowledge)
Realm
of
the s
oul (m
oti
vati
on)
Realm of the mind (knowledge)
Wrong
Right/ Misguided
Right
Right
Right
RightRight/ Misguided
Wrong/ Ambiguous
Wrong/ Ambiguous
Realm
of
the s
oul (m
oti
vati
on)
Realm of the mind (knowledge)
Wrong
Right/ Misguided
Divine
Right
Right
Right
RightRight/ Misguided
Wrong/ Ambiguous
Wrong/ Ambiguous
Malevolent
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Moral judgements are not always black and white.
• Some behaviours are hard to judge because:– Interactions between motivation and impact can be
paradoxical.– We are often working with incomplete information about how a
person has weighed the consequences of their behaviour.
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When we are choosing our own behaviour, it is our conscience that guides us.
• Our own moral intentions could be said to emanate from the “realm of the soul”.
• Our assessment of the net impact of our behaviour on other lives emanates from the “realm of the mind”.
• Individual moral decisions are therefore always personal and subjective, as they can only be made within the parameters of what is known.
• Because “what is known” can have infinite variations, there are no moral absolutes.
• Moral absolutes require infinite knowledge of the connection of all things.
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Self-interest
• Self interest is never good, but it doesn’t seems as bad if the consequences are net neutral or net positive.
• It is well known that the more we can remove ourselves from the consequences of our actions, the easier it is to act in self interest.
• Capitalism and globalisation remove us from the consequences of our actions.
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Lessons
• By tapping into the connectedness of all things, we can make better moral judgements.
• If we wish to judge, the first thing we must do is increase our knowledge of the unique circumstances of the moral dilemma.
• We need to build societies and ways of living in the world that bring us into greater contact with the consequences of our decisions.
• Ultimately, because we can’t know the connectedness of all things, we must:– Focus on the “now”.– Direct our moral intentions towards those we are with (regardless of
species).– Do the right thing by them.
• If all of us do this, we will create a self-perpetuating cycle of good.