Morality, Morals, and Intentions: An Exploration - Essay Sample

Introduction

Trevino & Nelson (2016, p.84), described morality as the standards or measure of what is good or bad in the society governing a person's behavior and choices. On the other hand, morals are derived from what somebody values; these values provide one's basic ability to judge what is good and what is bad. Holberg (2016, p.233), argued that the intentions and reasons guide morals as to why someone acted the way they did. In addition to this, morals explore morality's nature and describe how people should live with other people in society. Morals define what human being ought to do and what they ought not to do, thus creating peace in society. This essay uses philosophical arguments to explain why human beings should act morally. The essay also points out the various importance and benefits associated with moral behaviors in society.

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According to Wines (2008, p.485), there are numerous reasons why people need to act morally; these reasons are divided into two groups: self-regarding reasons and others regarding reasons. Self-regarding reasons are generally selfish reasons motivated by an individual's interests'. Self-regarding reasons involve one acting morally to earn self-respect in society. Often, a person earns self-respect if they adhere to societal standards of what is right and wrong. Moreover, acting ethically enables one to make use of what-if of true value in life (Wines 2008, p.485). In addition to this, people act morally to avoid the repercussions of acting immorally and instead enjoy the rewards that come with good behaviors. Other personal reasons for human beings to act morally include: a person acquires value-adding characters and becomes a good role model in society.

It is a Spiritual Command to be Moral

Among the other regarding reasons on why people should act morally is the philosophical argument on appeal to divine sanction (Peterson 2018, p.87). This argument is based on the various religious beliefs on morals. Every religion believes that God is the moral giver and that the moral behaviors are mandated by God who gives the guidelines on what is good and what is bad. The argument points out that the immoral will be cast out by God and was put into eternal sufferings. The morals, on the other hand, will be rewarded for doing what is good according to God's commands. For human beings to please God hence gain favor before Him, they need to observe their morality, and it is for this reason that human beings act morally. This argument describes why human beings should adhere to moral behavior to avoid the punishments associated with immorality (Trevino & Nelson 2016, p.84). This argument is, therefore based on the divine rewards and punishments in the afterlife. In addition to this, people should act morally to be rewarded by God for doing what he commands as good for human beings.

It Is a Human Duty to Act Morally

The other philosophical argument on why human beings should act morally is because they must be moral. This argument is based on the duty theory, which describes morality basing on the basic foundation of the clear specific obligations that human beings have. This theory points out the reason as to why human beings should be moral irrespective of whether there are consequences or not. People should act morally because it is human responsibility irrespective of the variety of choices and desires one has (Peterson 2018, p.87). For this reason, human beings should adhere to what society describes and qualifies to be good as a life obligation and requirement.

To Avoid Consequences of Being Immoral

Apart from it is our duty as human beings have morals; another reason as to why humans should be moral is to avoid the outcomes of immoral actions. This argument is based on the consequential theory on why human beings should act morally (Holberg 2016, p.233). The results of every action can be positive or negative, depending on the individual's actions. Generally, good actions translated to positive outcomes. Bad actions, on the other hand, lead to negative results which are normally accompanied by pain, regrets, and sufferings. Wines (2008, p.485) argued that human beings are responsible for their actions and their consequences. In addition to this, human beings are expected to be accountable for how they conduct themselves. The need for accountability and the consequences of the action chosen states the significance of morals in human beings. All human actions have repercussions at the end; acting morally has its outcome the same way immoral actions does. Moral actions result in happiness, respect, and harmony in society. For this reason, people act morally to be on the safe side, therefore, avoiding the dangers that result from immoral actions.

Need for High-Quality Virtue Standards

Virtues are the human actions that show excellence in a person's morals or show individuals high moral standards. Generally, good actions improve one's virtues, while bad actions corrupt virtues. According to Holberg (2016, p.233), human beings acquire virtues such as bravery, generosity, self-respect sincerity, and fortitude by acting as per the societal moral requirements. All virtues add values to human life, and the members of the community highly respect individual possessing virtues.

Moreover, virtues improve an individual's life through the acquired values making life comfortable and happy. The only way to acquire these virtues is exclusively through being moral. Immoral actions contribute to vices, such as jealousy, insensibility, cowardice, injustices, and vanity (Trevino & Nelson, 2016, p.84). Furthermore, vices have a negative consequence that accompanies immoral conducts. This argument fulfills the virtue theory of the morals being based on the acquired characters, which either benefit the individual in comparison to the foregone action.

Morals Are Universal Laws

According to Trevino & Nelson (2016, p.84), human actions in a certain circumstance set the universal law governing people's actions when in the same situation. Acting as per the law is described as moral action while any action against this law is regarded as an immoral act. Since morals are set as a global law with human beings subjected to obeying the law, individuals, therefore, have to act morally to be on the right side of the law. Additionally, every law has its consequences to those that break it; for this reason, human beings act morally to abide by the laws and regulations governing morals.

Moreover, acting morally contributes to peace and harmony within the community. Little or no times are spent solving problems resulting from immoral actions. Besides this, the occurrence of conflicts among society members is controlled when people act morally (Peterson 2018, p. 87). Moral actions protect the relationship between people in the community. When every member of the community is accountable for his actions and aware of what outcomes befalls any immoral action, all human beings will have morals. This will lead to a good relationship in society, contributing to peace and unity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are numerous good reasons as to why human beings need to act morally. Personal reasons for moral behaviors include needing to earn self-respect as well as respect in the society. Morals develop one's ability to distinguish clearly what is essential in life and also gain value-adding characters. Nevertheless, human beings need to be moral because to fit in society by meeting societal expectations on one's actions. For example, a country's law requires its citizens to act morally when in different situations. Any contrary action is considered immoral and is subjected to penalties. Moreover, every action, be it immoral or moral, has consequences attached to it. This gives human beings more reasons to act morally. Furthermore, the religious aspect of human beings calls for moral behavior with respect to God's command.

References

Holberg, E.A., 2016. The Importance of Pleasure in the Moral for Kant's Ethics. The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 54(2), pp.226-246. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjp.12173

Peterson, J.B., 2018. Twelve rules for life: An antidote to chaos. Random House Canada.

Trevino, L.K., and Nelson, K.A., 2016. Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. John Wiley & Sons.

Wines, W.A., 2008. Seven pillars of business ethics: Toward a comprehensive framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 79(4), pp.483-499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9411-7