Introduction
A fundamental aspect of human life is moral judgment. A person makes daily decisions that have ethical repercussions, such as how to treat others, affect the environment, or social structures. Moral judgments can be complex and challenging, particularly when confronted with emotional or difficult ethical situations.
Therefore, this essay will examine the idea of virtue and the connection between ethics and morality as discussed in Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds, The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses, and Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police. A deeper understanding can be gained from the elements that affect daily ethical decisions and how to work to make decisions that align with the moral compass by looking at these various facets of moral decision-making.
Making Moral Decisions: The Role of Ethics, Emotions, and Situational Context
It is crucial to comprehend the ethical frameworks or moral principles at work in each situation before pondering the moral choices one would make in the same situations as fictional characters or actual people. In Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds, the author makes the case that being good entails avoiding evil deeds and actively working for the common good (Hooke 2). The central character in The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses is having a difficult time dealing with both his imprisonment and the injustices of the apartheid system, which calls into question the morality of political structures and power structures.
Virtuous Persons, Vicious Deeds examines the nature of virtue and the connection between ethics and morality. Hooke believed that being good entailed refraining from doing wrong and actively working for the common good. In this moral system, one must consider the implications of one’s choices and try to act morally, even when challenging or unpopular.
Meanwhile, in The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses, the main character, a fictional figure, is having a difficult time accepting both his imprisonment and the injustices of the apartheid system. This raises concerns about the morality of political systems and social hierarchies, as well as the responsibility of individuals to oppose or obey unfair laws (Head 632). If one were in the prisoner’s shoes, feelings such as rage, frustration, or hopelessness might have an impact on whether one chose to rebel against or submit to the prison system. However, they might make a choice that aligns with their moral compass by giving some thought to ethical values and principles.
Finally, the ethical concern at stake in Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police is bystander intervention and people’s obligation to act to stop harm from coming to others. In this case, fear, uncertainty, or social pressure may keep someone from acting to protect another person from harm (Gansberg). However, they can weigh the ethical values at stake and decide in a way consistent with their moral code by considering the possible effects of their actions or inaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, moral judgments necessitate considering situational context, emotional responses, and ethical frameworks. Individuals can make choices consistent with their moral compass by considering their ethical principles and values and weighing the possible effects of their actions or inaction. By doing this, they can build a more moral and just society and strive to be virtuous individuals who carry out good deeds.
Works Cited
Gansberg, Martin. “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police.” New York Times, Web.
Head, Bessie. The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses. 1974.
Hooke, Alexander. Virtuous People, Vicious Deeds. Mayfield Publishing Company, 1999.