Moral Obligation

Moral Obligation [Full Name] [School] [Professor] [Subject Code] Defining Moral Obligation Moral obligation is a subjective set of morals or ethics that form the consciousness of the individual in determining what is right or wrong There is much consideration whether to define Moral Obligation as subjective (concerning the individual 's personal set of values or ethics ) or objective (values and ethics are aimed primarily toward society in general Ought and Naught There are several factors wherein moral obligation falls under on action (deontology ) itself , the consequences after action (consequentialism ) or the

subjective viewpoint of values and morals (virtue ethics On action , an individual is bound to duty where the rightness or wrongness is determined by what is ought to be done rather than basing the concept of right and wrong with consequences that follow action . Duty theories are non-consequentialist , since actions are obligatory in spite of the consequences that follow from actions On the hand , the doctrine of consequentialism states that a moral action depends on the `goodness ' of an outcome . Therefore , moral worth is determined through an action that produces a good outcome . This contrasts sharply with that of deontology wherein the former focuses on duty or obligation rather than outcomes or consequences Virtue Ethics refer to the moral consciousness of the individual where there is a personal set of values of morals aimed in achieving happiness or eudaimonia Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is focused on acquiring happiness , which is the basis of moral action . All individual actions , irregardless of bias and certain subjective conditions , are directed in achieving happiness Eudaimonia or the state of happiness is prime objective of human life . This state is not subjective however , since eudaimonia is derived from reason itself , thus it does not consider human emotions or interpretations a part of happiness . This objective understanding of happiness is through individual character itself (e .g .virtue , wisdom The concept of happiness also falls with Aristotleian ethics , wherein moral character and virtue is living life in the middle . The Golden Mean , as espoused by Aristotle , is mediation of virtue through balance . For example , courage is the middle ground between cowardice and recklessness . Through the mediation of such virtues , eudaimonia is achieved Moral Duty : What is ought to be done Deontology is a moral philosophy mainly espoused by Western philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804 ) wherein duty is the main schema of moral obligation . Kant sought for the importance of duty as a basis of obligation and morality of man , contrary to the conception of virtue and happiness as moral values Duty or deon is exemplified in Kant 's deontological ethics , wherein morality is objectified rather than basing from subjective experiences . A person has a perfect duty or obligation that compels the individual to not use him- or herself or others as a means for some personal end However , what makes a moral action wrong is because of intention or motive that misinterprets the concept of duty and therefore using `means ' in achieving personal `ends 'Consequentialism : The overall...