Ethical Principles: Duty, Goodness, and Social Sanctions

Understanding Moral Duty and Its Implications

When we use words like "good" or "bad," their meaning can vary significantly depending on the context, particularly between non-moral and moral senses.

The Relative vs. Absolute Sense of 'Good' and 'Bad'

Non-Moral, Relative Sense

In a non-moral sense, "good" or "bad" (or what "you have to do") is relative. It depends on, or is connected to, something else. For example, "This is a good knife for cutting bread."

Moral, Absolute Sense

Conversely, when we use these words in a moral sense, their meaning is absolute. You must do something, or something is good or bad, regardless of whether you like it or not, or whether you want to. It simply is.

Moral Judgments and Absolute Obligations

When these words are used in a moral context, they formulate moral judgments. These judgments urge someone to do something as an absolute obligation. Moral rules are rules of action that tell us something must be done as an absolute or relative obligation.

Moral Rules and Their Consequences

If these rules of action are to be followed, or if there is a need to satisfy the rule that characterizes them, two consequences arise:

• Someone can be criticized in reference to the standard if they fail to comply.
• The breach of the rule carries a penalty, which is inherently negative for those who do not comply.

Moral Norms and Internal Sanctions

There are different types of rules, including social norms. Within social norms, moral norms are distinct from other types, such as legal rules or social conventions. The key difference lies in the sanction for non-compliance: for moral norms, the sanction is internal, not external. This internal sanction may manifest as a feeling of shame, experienced as remorse or guilt.

The Meaning of 'Good' in a Moral Context

When we use the word "good" in a moral sense, its application extends beyond merely referring to actions; it also, and uniquely in this context, refers to people.

'Good' as a General Human Ability

In this moral context, we use the word "good" not to judge a person's specific skills (e.g., playing a game), but to assess their general ability to be a person. This connection brings forth the feeling of shame we experience when we fail to respect a moral standard and act badly.

Distinguishing Shame from Moral Outrage

Shame is generally a sense of losing personal worth in the eyes of others. We feel shame when we fail in any of the skills in which we invest our self-esteem. However, we feel moral outrage not when we fail in just any skill, but specifically when we fail in our ability to be a good member of a community.

Blame and Indignation for Moral Wrongdoing

When we act wrongly from a moral point of view, we can not only be blamed, but our conduct may also cause a feeling of indignation in others. This reaction occurs because those who act morally wrong adhere to common standards with which all members of a community identify. Morality is, in essence, the core of the social identity of its members.

Indignation, Shame, and Internal Moral Sanction

The indignation felt by others aims to touch the core of a person's social identity, manifesting as a form of shame. If a person lacks this social nucleus, they also lack shame and are insensitive to the indignation of others. This explains why the moral sanction is often internal.