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Essay about Moral Goodness through Ethical Principles

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Moral Goodness through Ethical Principles

The ability to interpret the morally correct (morally good) resolution to a moral, when confronted by a moral dilemma, can be a very difficult task. Ethics is the search for universal objective principles for evaluating human behavior, good or bad. In societies, ethics are developed by their religious beliefs, government, and through experience. Social ethics serve as the premise for morality. Humans through ethics create morality, a personal or social code of conduct. The principles for one's morality are founded by the ethical standards of their society. Through experience, education, religion, and morality humans develop morals based on social and religious ethics. Morals give humans the …show more content…

What is the morally correct decision for the Jim's parents to make in this situation? Should they protect their son from prosecution or hand him over to the proper authorities? Jim's parents must decide which of their options is morally correct, and then choose that option. The ethical principles of divine moral authority and utilitarianism can be used to help a person distinguish the morally correct decision, when confronted with a morally problematic situation. In the Smith's case, the two principles can be applied to their dilemma in order find the solution that is morally correct. However, the Smith's through their examination raises another question. Why should we be moral? The morally correct solution to the Smith's situation varies depending on the ethical principle that is applied. After analyzing the situation using the principles, one learns why we should be moral.
Robert C. Mortimer, a philosopher during the 1950s, developed the ethical principle of divine moral authority. The principles of divine moral authority are established primarily by the ethical principles of Catholicism. Mortimer states that, according to moral authority, "man's ownership and use of the material world is not absolute, but subject to the law of God. (pg. 267)." In order to make a morally correct judgment, we must assure that the judgment coincides with natural moral law, the laws established by our God. Natural moral law, in accordance with Mortimer, states

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