Moral Action and Ethical Reflection in Human Behavior
Defining Moral and Ethical Terms
Both terms refer to the character or mode of being that people acquire throughout life, through habit, as well as norms or values that guide us as people. However, we can qualify this a bit.
The term Moral (Latin mos moris) we apply to human behavior. In fact, our own behavior is regulated, as already noted, for certain values or norms that guide us in our relationships with others (person to person) or to live in society (as individuals within the social group). For this reason, we say that morality is present in all ages and societies: they all rely on traditions and customs, establishing certain norms, values, and patterns of behavior that guide people toward what is good or what is right.
Aristotle attributes a meaning to the term ethics. He applies the concept to the habits, character, or mode of being that people are forging with their lives. However, with the term Ethics (Greek ethos) can refer to the philosophical discipline that aims to make a critical reflection on morality in general, not specific everyday cases. That is, we might say that ethics is a kind of theory of life.
We say that ethical reflection is needed because life is very complex and we can find (most often) moral dilemmas, whether opposing rules or regulations may result in unfair conduct. Examples of moral dilemmas: Do I tell the truth or should I lie now and then? Should I tell the truth to a person who has a terminal illness, but this makes you suffer?
Objectives of Ethical Reflection
We presume that ethics is a philosophical discipline and, therefore, of critical reflection, is to the same general human behavior. Given this, we might note the following objectives:
- Ethics discuss what characteristics of moral conduct. For example, what is the essence of religious conduct, politics, the legal.
- Studies moral values and norms that derive from them. Try to define, for example, what is good, just what, what values are based, that is why we consider them valuable, why we choose some rules and not others, and so on.
- Try narrowing what constitutes moral responsibility (part of the belief that one cannot speak of moral conduct if the person is not responsible for their actions).
- Out if human beings act freely, or are determined or conditioned. (Only I am responsible for my actions if I could freely choose to perform or not).
- Analyzes what is the scope of moral obligation (what should I do? Why? On what occasions or circumstances?).
Many philosophers have thought about human behavior and have developed their own ethical theories. For example, Aristotle sought the principles that guide humans to happiness. Kant said that practical reason reflects on the freedom to lead the person to justice.
Moral Action and its Fundamental Characteristics
We should start considering that moral action is uniquely human. As we know, animals blindly follow their natural instincts. These instincts are inherited genetically. This means that there is no choice in the behavior of animals are genetically programmed.
Man also has instincts, but they are not as crucial as in animal behavior. Man can choose freely (and since released) how to act or behave at all times.
This freedom has two sides. On one hand, human beings have the ability to choose their own way of behaving, that is, master of his actions. Moreover, this freedom makes him responsible for his actions. We could say that freedom ennobles man, but at the same time, you put in a situation of particular vulnerability and helplessness and insecurity, since there is a guide that impels us toward a specific mode of action.
Our freedom of choice (or free will) allows us to shape our own way of being and behaving. Through repetition we acquire habits (or permanent attitudes of behaviors, customs) that are shaping our moral character and make us good or bad, just or unjust, true or liars. I mean, if I lie once does not make me a liar, but if I have the habit of lying itself.
In line with the above, we might note the features of moral action:
- First, moral action belongs (own and exclusively) to human behavior.
- Usually be governed by principles, norms, or values (the good, happiness, etc.).
- Is given in society. Regulates relations between people that make a society or human group.
- Since there are values and principles that are valid for all moral action can be judged or punished by others.
- These values and those standards must be internalized (assimilated by each one or each) in a free and conscious. The fact that there are certain social values does not imply that they are imposed on the person. (Each one chooses his behavior).
Life as a Moral Project
Some things in life that are never chosen. We face, whether for good or ill. For example, nobody asked us if we were born, or where in the planet, or we got to choose our physical or psychological traits. These things do not affect. Undoubtedly, we chose our way of being.
Ortega y Gasset said: I am myself and my circumstances. The circumstances are all those elements that are imposed on us, that is, we did not choose. For this reason, Ortega said that the circumstances are imposed, we cannot choose what happens to us. But we are free to respond to what happens to us in various ways.
Each and every one is free when choosing. Moreover, there is a manual where to find all the answers. For this reason, it is necessary ethical reflection, rational, about life, about our lives, as they have individuality. No one can vouch for me to certain questions: What is the purpose of my life? How should I be? What do I do? In answering these questions I develop my own ethical ideal, my own life project. This project set me as a moral person.