Understanding Moral Ethics and Human Action
Moral Ethics
Moral ethics and morality are terms related to customs that uphold human dignity. Morality refers to the characteristics and rules that should make a person better. Ethics should be studied as the actions of every human, actions that are socially and morally good. Humans interact with their environment and each other to improve their lives and increase their quality of life. All of this is accomplished through individual human action. Moral knowledge about human actions guides them towards what is morally good. Humans have the ability to choose their own actions; they are able to love and give to others. Every human action is regulated, and we always act in some way. However, there is a specific type of action, called moral action, which requires a special type of rules, either in form or by expressing the value, intended to apply to any human being.
Some theories claim the impossibility of knowing any moral standard, while others claim that moral standards are relative to specific societies or time periods. The moral individual is compelled to choose and justify their actions to build and realize their life. Liberty is the root of morality. Morality pertains to human rights as they relate to a quality life with dignity, justice, freedom, and happiness. Morality is relevant to social life. The term “moral” refers to social habits learned as guidelines for the actions of members of a group. Living morally is learning to create morality and quality.
Morality as a Permanent Disposition
Morality is also an attitude or disposition to be made permanent as a person. Morality is present in all elements of the moral fact. Morality is learned and developed. It is not repressive. It is a sensibility that each person must learn, teach, and practice in freedom and responsibility, giving meaning to their ideal life. The acceptance of moral standards is the responsibility of the free subject. Merely obeying and complying with standards is not indicative of moral action. An individual’s actions have consequences on the environment and others. Human action is performed based on internal processes. Humans are part of a culture that includes morality, which helps maintain a moral social order.
Elements of a Morally Good Action
For human action to be morally good, it must meet several elements:
- Liberty: This is the main element of moral rights. It acquires a moral dimension as it enters the privacy of individuals and leads them into their community.
- Moral Standards: These are valid for any human being. They respect the human as a social person and their surroundings, seeking to justify their freedom. Moral standards ensure compliance and are not made in vain. Every moral norm is a moral value that gives meaning and acts as a script that guides human action. A moral standard is valuable because it expresses moral value. Rules and moral conflicts can arise in different circumstances that affect their implementation. Social norms and values differ across societies and social circumstances due to historical factors and other influences.
- Moral Obligation: Speaking of standards and values introduces the concept of duty. A rule exists so that people are obliged to comply with it. The term “obligation” refers to an individual’s attachment to something for some reason. Normally, people are bound by existing laws and, even if they dislike or disagree with them, are obliged to obey them.