Human Freedom and the Foundations of Moral Action

The Moral: Since human freedom allows a person to be both the builder and the building, one is responsible for oneself and one's actions. Therefore, a free action is also a moral action.

The Nature of Moral Action

Human action is characterized by great flexibility for learning. Human behavior is defined by being open and free; this openness to action makes human beings responsible for their individual acts. Before a given action, an individual reflects, makes a decision, and acts accordingly. One must answer for it and be willing to receive recognition or admonishment from oneself and others. This free character of human action is the basis of moral character.

Defining Morality

Definition of Moral: A code of rules governing individual and collective action which is considered correct.

• Moral Content: Refers to the actual content of morality, rules, and principles governing correct behavior.
• Moral Structure: Morality is a constitutive feature of human nature. Human nature makes us the only moral beings that exist, and we are inevitably determined to be so. Faced with a particular situation and the urgency to act, humans can choose one path or another, but they must decide; refraining is not an option.

Understanding Moral Standards

A moral standard is a rule that states how we should act to adapt to what we think is preferable or what we think should be. The most defining characteristic is the character of compulsion that it carries. The rule must be understood as an order that compels us to do what it posits; however, the obligation of the moral norm presupposes the freedom of choice of the human being. The rule and the obligation arise from the freedom that allows us to comply or remain aloof from what is commanded.

Dimensions of Moral Rules

• Social Dimension: All communities have a code of rules governing how their members have to act and interact. These can be explicit in legal codes or implicit in the customs of that community.
• Personal Dimension: It is necessary that the subject recognizes the standard as their own and not just as something socially imposed.

Theories of Values

Objectivist Theory of Values: Values are qualities or properties found in things; they are objective. They are not invented by human beings but discovered in our surroundings.

Subjectivist Theory of Values: There are no valuable things in themselves, nor objective and universal values. A value depends on subjective assessment.