Why Should I Be Moral Philosophy Essay

Why Should I Be Moral Philosophy EssayThe question of morality proves to be a complex interrogatory. Should I be moral? If I should be, hence why? Why is morality important to society? An assumption potentiometer be do that morals derive from a purely ghostly perspective or the well-fixed Rule approach. We argon told that it is upright to be moral. This is an ineffective answer, since it does not apply to some genius outside the moral dance orchestra (Olsen, 79).This in mind, there is re all(prenominal)y no way to prove this likewise a someone who requires to know why he/she should be moral. panorama to Olen, the tho answer to them would be because you are. Happiness could besides be include in the list of moral actors. I personally feel that this is the vanquish supported reason for being moral. Although there will be times when the moral decision will not be pleasurable, it will finally lead to gratification. Morality is important for society as a whole, as it c ommences life livable. Now expanding on the happiness theory, I will plow the ideas of Aristotle. Aristotle conceived that happiness is the quality of whole human life. We all have misconceptions close to happiness. Most of us believe that happiness is experiencing a lively intuitive feeling of joy or pleasant feelings. We can be dexterous at one moment, exactly not the next. Aristotle on the other hand verbalize that true happiness includes pleasures, joys, and successes as well as many pains, griefs, and troubles in ones life. A happy life is not cause by the pleasures weve had, nor mar by the displeasures weve had.Aristotle also contended that children could not be happy as the necessary for happiness was a complete life. For instance, an old man looking covert on his life and being able to say that it was good, is happiness.Aristotle defined the things that contract happiness as health, wealth, friendship, and good moral character. Aristotle stated that happiness was a lso the highest good leaving nothing more to be desired. Life is made perfect by possession of all good things. We seek happiness for its own sake. All others are sought for happiness. Aristotle believed to become happy one must have good character and be willing to grow to book the greater good later on. We should seek the good in the long run. Most men/women will not do this. We r individually the immediate pleasure. Most muckle call in that happiness is unique to each person. Aristotle believed that there is only one true conception and that it holds the same for all humans. Power is not an attribute to happiness because it would preclude some people from being happy if they are ruled. Aristotle believed as our for fathers that everyone has an ultimate right to the hobby of happiness.He believed that this pursuit must be cooperative, not competitive. All this said, it is work that it garbs into his belief that everything in nature has a goal towards which it naturally str ives (i.e. happiness). A morally virtuous person is one who is moderate in his actions. He chooses the mean as opposed to the extremes. Aristotle was more concerned with the real beingness than with the theological world. His bottom line view point was that we have no answer to the question Why do you want to be happy? other than to be happy. He believed that we must be moral in order to obtain our life long goal of happiness.I happen myself in agreement with Aristotle to some degree. When I as myself why do you want to be happy? I am stuck. I fair want to be happy. I can see where society as a whole must practice morality as a whole to allow everyone the non-competitive pursuit of happiness. I can also consult to the fact that following the immediate pleasure doesnt unnecessarily attribute to the emerging good. I have not been able to live one urban center longer than a year at a time. As a result of this, I am unable to purchase my dream house because thefinancial tolls.I am however happier when I first impel to a new state. I am not totally convinced that the pursuit of happiness alone is just cause for morality. I do believe that morality has much to do with a theological basis. I believe that there is an obligation instilled in each of us by the current unearthly belief of out society. I believe we make decision based on the consequences we could face in our afterlife. I believe we discern right and wrong on the basis of what is right or wrong to our doctrine.True moral issues, but for the most part dont we examine thing based on what was instilled into us as children? We were socialized to fit a pattern and our society even today is still tinged with religious attitudes and beliefs. According to Kohlbergs stages of moral development, children give the right answer to moral issues, but with different reasons as they progress.STAGEBRIEF DESCRIPTIONREASONS FOR DOING RIGHT aim I1Preconventional want to Avoid penaltyAvoidance of punishment and the superior power of authority obedience for its own sake.2Desire to obtain rewardsServes ones own needs and recognizes that other people have their interests to conforms to obtain rewardsLEVEL II3Conventional unsloped Boy/Good GirlValues the approval of others and tries to maintain mutual relationships involving trust, loyalty, respect, and gratitude believes in the Golden Rule.4Respect for AuthorityValues societys laws and tries to uphold them tires to keep the induction going.LEVEL III5Post-ConventionalRespect for the social contractBelieves in upholding the social contract because it provides the greatest good for the greatest number recognizes that a social contract is an agreement between people that benefits the public welfare.6Universal honourable principlesPersonally committed to a set of self-chosen ethical principles, mot of which may be compatible with the laws of society. When laws conflict with ethical principles, the person acts in accordance with his/her principles.S OURCE Based on L. Kohlberg Stage and order The Cognitive-Developmetal Approach to Socializtion in Handbood of Sociliztion Thoery and Research, 1969, edited by D.A. Goslin, Rand Mcnally, Chicago and L. Kohlberg, Moral Stages and moralization in T. Lickons Ied.), Moral Development and Behavior. New Yord Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976.Now as I take this table into envisionation I see that children are systemati inspecty react in to the consequences given to them by parents, schools, and so forth. These ideas are inseparable into us from birth, therefor they become a part of us. Not only do they become a part of us, but the real reason that they are important gets lost and becomes a just because reason. Maybe this is why it is so difficult to explain why a person should be moral. Having said all of this, I believe that Aristotles ideas were for the most part correct. His philosophy o morality being linked to the achievement of happiness does fit into my thoughts on societal mold ing. In our society, or any for that matter, there seems to be a blueprint from which we set our goals and structure our lives. Being healthy, wealthy, and respected are a big part of that blueprint we in our sect call the American Dream. Inherent to being respected is being known for doing the right thing and making the right decisions, and keeping promises. We do all want to be happy but I say society has created those items which we consider important our out happiness. Would wealth be important if there was no money with which to contend? I think not, therefor I dont think morals would be an important ingredient to happiness if religion had not affected society. Through the ages the beliefs of the moral issues of the time. Therefor, I think the ideas we accrue throughout our life times concerning what is right our wrong are then aside to our children just the same. Why should I be moral? I strongly believe it is because society says so.Olen, Jeffrey., Persons and Their World. McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1983Wallace, Patricia M., Goldstein, Heffrey H., Nathan, Peter E.,Introduction to Psychology. Brown Publishers, 1990.