Understanding Morality, Ethics, and Freedom
Accio Moral:
Moral beings are human beings with the capacity to imagine alternatives and choose between them. Being able to justify our moral actions means we are masters of our actions. We know we are free, which implies responsibility. We can blame someone who kills because the liable person is free, so we can judge them. We can act morally or immorally. Amoral beings are like animals.
Differences Between Ethics and Morality:
Morality is closely related to custom and is an echo, therefore it may vary according to culture and religion. Ethics is a discipline that studies different morals and explains them.
Moral Conscience:
All human beings have a moral conscience, although children’s conscience is not fully developed. It is the capacity to distinguish between good and bad. One of its functions is to establish rules of conduct and apply them to concrete cases. It involves self-criticism and self-analysis, praising some actions and punishing others with remorse.
Freedom:
Freedom is the raison d’etre of morality. There are two forms of freedom:
Liberta Interna (Internal Freedom):
Internal freedom is the ability to decide. It is a potential that is called moral freedom. Only our elections can be stolen through torture, hypnosis, or drug consumption.
Liberta Externa (External Freedom):
External freedom is the ability to carry out what internal freedom has decided. It is diminished by being locked in jail or living under a dictatorship where rights are suppressed.
Determinism:
Determinism denies the existence of true freedom. Everything is causally explained, so freedom is meaningless. Everything that happens is necessary. Determinism has different branches, each defended by different philosophers.
Determinismo Cosmologico (Cosmological Determinism):
Defended by the Stoics (4th century BC). Everything seeks an explanation for what happened. All things happen because they are fixed in advance, which you can call destiny. You must assume you cannot change anything and conquer inner peace by accepting it. (Seneca)
Determinismo Teologico (Theological Determinism):
Arises with the Lutheran Reformation. God decides what we do, so confession does not make sense. God has decided for me. Man and God are responsible for what they do.
Determinismo Cientifico (Scientific Determinism):
Aims to reduce human behavior to scientific explanations.
Monism:
In the world, there is only matter. Everything is mechanical, and we are not free. We are subject to stimuli that move us.
Determinismo Fisiologico (Physiological Determinism):
Example: Pavlov’s experiments.
Determinismo Genetico (Genetic Determinism):
Defended by sociobiologists. Everything is determined by genetics from birth.
Autonomy:
A will is autonomous when the law gives itself, acting according to reason underlying the behavior. Act out of respect for duty. All rational beings should not kill or lie. If acting reasonably, what we do can reasonably be universalized. Acting reasonably is to be autonomous (free).
Moral Maturity:
It is not the desire but the reason given by the subject. Kohlberg invented a process on the road to moral maturity, beginning and ending with heteronomy and autonomy. This process has three levels:
Pre-Conventional Level:
Heteronomous. The subject does not guide his reason and only understands what interests him. Actions are based on consequences. If something is good or if I reported 1 Award or 1 punishment prevents me. Maximum level of moral immaturity. Actions are moved by selfish impulses and are not universal.
Conventional Level:
The speaker believes exactly what the rules say that must be followed in society. The subject is considered a community member and accepts uncritically what society accepts. It is a little less heteronomous.
Post-Conventional Level:
Distinguishes his principles through his consciousness. He is a member of humanity, is autonomous and mature.