What do philosophers and theologians mean when they say that "man is a moral being"?

Question

I have often heard it said that man is a "moral being" and that certain decisions or actions are "moral decisions or actions". What do philosophers and theologians mean when they refer to man as a "moral being"? What is it about a decision or action that makes it "moral" or "immoral"?

Are morals culturally relative, e.g. polygamy is moral in some cultures, but immoral in others, or are they universal?

Thanks.

Answer 1

For your first question, the usage depends on the context. Probably man as a moral being is meant to mean man is rational being in regard to moral decisions. That is, man considers the consequences of his actions for others. This is to contrast nonhuman animals which, in the past were commonly believed to be irrational, that is, to act only on instinct and emotions and also lacking any sense of altruism or empathy (requisites for morally positive decisions).



To answer the second question. A moral/immoral decision is one intended to impact other beings. A non-moral or morally arbitrary decision has no intended effect in regards to others. If you are asking about the difference between moral and immoral this is open to debate.



Lastly, the ideal in western philosophy is to formulate a universally applicable ethics. I think utilitarianism is the most plausible. Namely, whatever creates the most happiness / least suffering for the greatest number of beings is the best option. Polygamy is good for a society if it creates more happiness and less suffering in that society than alternative arrangements. In some societies this is likely true, in others probably not. Because both individual people and societies as a whole can be very different, the ethical principle of utility can be universal while the specific practices or morals can vary widely.

Answer 2

A "moral being" would be a person who obeys the 'rules' or a set of morality standards of a society or culture most usually based upon the prevailing religion of an area, or deemed a-OK by the prevailing ruler of the country.

Unfortunately just because society deems a standard to be morally acceptable does not necessarily justify the actions or consequences of an individual or a society. For instances, Polygamy and incest were practiced for many centuries before Jesus was born. Abraham married his half sister-which was an accepted practice at the time, then had a child by Hagar the Egyptian handmaiden upon the request of Sarah. The main out-come is that the later generations (even until today) have fought for their 'basic inheritance rights'. Abraham, although it was not against the custom of the time (and no laws had been imputed in order to break) basically knew the trouble it would cause to have a child by the handmaiden-but did it anyways.

Man is no different today, he still continues ot go along with what society deems acceptable with little or no regard to the future consequences in order to 'fit in' and be accepted by society..

Answer 3

The Foundation of Morality is stated in the Bible. That Man was Created with The Intrinsic Value of Understanding & Or Choosing Between Good & Evil. The word Conscience means con-science, or with- science or The Inner Sense Of What Is Right Or Wrong In Ones Conduct, Motives, & Finally Ones Actions. Particular morals are relative to societies (polygamy) But Absolute Morals (Good & Evil) are Universal to All Human Beings or as they are called " Moral Beings".

And Thus Morality is Universal. Zeno Alma Harpist Composer

Answer 4

As I see it, it is because Mankind sets up a system of behaviors that are acceptable and not acceptable based upon ideas and beliefs that are not necessarily in their own personal best interest. For the most part, other creatures do not.



For example, hyenas and lions on the Savannah have no qualms about appropriating each other's kill for their own meal, while to humans that is stealing and immoral. Now members of a pack will make sure that their young will get fed, and give food to the alpha, and other such behaviors, but all of these can be traced to selfish ends, such as ensuring their blood line continues, protecting the pack (because the pack protects them), etc.



Now, this isn't to say other animals can't express moralistic behavior; dolphins and non-human primates have been known to do so from time to time.



At least, that's how I see it. No particular education or expertise on the subject, though. If you're turning this in for homework, you're still going to have to do your own research and find your own citations.

Answer 5

It's not an either/or situation. Obviously some aspects of morality, like sexuality, differ from culture to culture. However, seeming built into our very being, even though individuals often fight against it, is the universal morality of "What is hateful to yourself, you ought not do to others." This covers all the basics, like murder (although various types of killing, such as self-defense are often condoned, even if occasionally condemned), lying, cheating, etc. Primateolgoy, Evolutionary Biology, and the mathematics of Game Theory, as well as history, all suggest that this is an inborn ethos. Of those four, I can speak most to history. That moral recipe, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," has arisen independently in almost every era, over nearly every inch of the Globe. I have collected over three hundred such Golden Rules, with the oldest dating from 5000 years ago, but probably reflecting oral traditions that extend back much further. One of my favorites is to be found in the Mahabharata, and I've reprinted it on my profile.

Answer 6

Because man is volitional - meaning he has choices to make - and because we are not omniscient, we need an OBJECTIVE code of values (morals) to live by. This code of values is based on having a successful life.



For example, stealing is immoral not because the bible says so but because if we all went around stealing we wouldn't last long. If we all went around lying about everything, same story. No contract would be valid, you wouldn't be able to trust a business partner.



Do you know what your moral values are?



ADD: Yes, universal.



But remember to distinguish between optional values and moral values.

Answer 7

Man has the capacity to express selflessness without the need for altruism.



Man has the ability to understand the virtues of selflessness through reason.



Man can overcome his physical limitations of the animal nature within him/her.



Simply: Man has the capacity to detach self from coveting matter and all its forms.

Answer 8

They mean that morals are relative and each man follows the morals he believes not because someone tells them to but because he actually believes them.

Answer 9

Found the full quote - it is from Aldous Huxley's "Olive Tree" (page 83). The full quote is as follows: "To think correctly is the condition of behaving well. It is also in itself a moral act; those who think correctly must resist considerable temptations." Huxley is restating Socrates' assertion that truly knowing good leaves the person that truly knows good no choice but to do good. Update: I think that Huxley is attempting to state that being "correctly wired" is the basis for all good - which is to say, being able to rationally approach thinking allows us to know good in the first place, and all morally-correct action follows from the pursuit of well-reasoned and well-intentioned thinking. Personally, I disagree with Huxley - being a pragmatist and a hard determinist, I see a great level of bias in the idea that one may think "correctly". People think however they are actually wired to think - that which is "correct" is the thinking which allows them to achieve their own ends, not the ends of an observer who is dissociated from the decision and wishes to pass moral judgment.

Answer 10

I think they mean that we do try to do what is right, as perceived by each individual. Immorality also depends on the person who is judging; it has different connotations for everyone.

Answer 11

They mean that man is capable of adhering to morals set by society's standards.

Answer 12

Human beings think about the things they do. We remember and analyze whether we did good or not. Animals and plants do not do this.