What is the difference between a moral and non-moral issue?

By Danny Frady <garydfrady@hotmail.com>

What is the difference between a moral and non-moral issue?

Imagine walking down the city street and you pass the local bank. You notice the bank door is open and no one is around. You walk in and see if anyone is inside the bank. No one is there and the power seems to be off. No alarm, no cameras and no police. You walk in further and see the vault is open, too. Money is scattered all over the floor and waiting for you to pick it up. No one would find out----- ever!

Would you?

This situation is a moral decision. In my household we use the term “You just don’t do things like that!”. This is how I determine if something is right or wrong. As Lindsay Graham stated about the Clinton scandal, “Where I am from, you just don’t do things like that!” I am not saying my life style is perfect, but it is how I try to live each day. John Hospers points out the issues of “ought,” or “right,” in his book. I look at moral decisions in this way.

A non-moral issue would be what was left over. For example, whether or not to put hair jell in your hair today. Hair jell in my hair is not going to affect very many people in the world. I like to refer back to John Hospers book again and use “the ability to help or harm”. If it does not directly affect others in this way, then it is a non-moral issue.

In conclusion, many deeds done today can be questioned, moral or non-moral. If you stop and think, “Is this really what I ought to do?”, then you are trying to make a moral decision. If it doesn’t affect others then it is a non-moral decision. I am not saying this is the perfect life for everyone, but I think it is the best one for me.

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Crystal Gray <crystalg32@hotmail.com>

I think this was a good paper. You showed how it depends on the situation,and your life style as to judge it as moral or nonmoral

Cynthia Glanton <cynthia_glanton@hotmail.com>

Good points. You are correct to point out that the situation can be what decides whether or not is is moral.

Heather Renfro <jewel@emeraldis.com>

I like that you actually asked us a question in this paper. "What would you do?" That question definately goes along with the question of whether or not something is of moral concern. (Does that make sense??) I agree with you--If you have to stop and ask yourself whether or not you ought to do something, it is of moral concern.

Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>

Nice job making a straight-forward topic like this interesting... I like your use of examples to get your point across... nice work..

Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>

Excellent use of examples. You really explained it well. Excellent Work!

Chris Graham <collge-guy@inetgenesis.com>

Nice paper. All examples were desplayed clearly, and worked with your definitions. Good job

Missy Kergosien <missc4@hotmail.com>

Great paper. Your colorful examples clearly depict the difference between a nonmoral and a moral issue.

Amanda Thompson <amandat211@yahoo.com>

it's tough to provide a basic difference b/t moral and non-moral issues since they're different for everyone. your examples certainly help to illustrate your point very well. It does depend on the situation...and the individual.

Nichole Vernon <nichole317@excite.com>

this paper was well written and the topic was very thought out. it is hard to consider what is nonmoral and moral. what is considered right for one person may not suit a another person.

byron freeman <lessonsfrombeej@yahoo.com>

Ok we get that this is how you live life, But you are not everybody. Many people would take the money given that scenerio. But it is a moral issue. Bill cliton is the man.

Tally Loyd <Tally_Loyd@Hotmail.com>

Good paper. Good examples.

Matt <surfski8@hotmail.com>

I think the way you opened your paper was excellent

Your Name <Your E-Mail>

Great paper. The paper was easy to understand and had good examples.

Kimberly Pitts <klp103@hotmail>

Good paper, I enjoyed the examples.

jason stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>

I did enjoy your paper, I to was raised right! At least I certainly think so and I figure nothing ever goes right for me so this just means trouble and I don't need any of that! I also feel that I would be better off just leaving well enough alone! Jason Stansill.

jason stansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>

I did enjoy your paper, I to was raised right! At least I certainly think so and I figure nothing ever goes right for me so this just means trouble and I don't need any of that! I also feel that I would be better off just leaving well enough alone! Jason Stansill.

Heather Ferguson <addysmomF@netscape.net>

Great Paper!

Coleman Steifle <csteifle@hotmail.com>

Good paper. I like the points you used because anyone can apply them to everyday life. Morals are a hard topic to write about because they are different for everyone.

Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>

I liked your use of the book and the examples you gave. You showed clearly what the difference between the two is. Good paper!

Wendy Garner <wlg51@backroads.net>

Great paper. The paper was easy to understand and had good examples.

Karen <karen_long@email.com>

Awesome paper! Want to write mine for me? (kidding) I thought you brought a lot of great points and really drew a line between the difference of the two. Good Job! *applause*

Cindy Bourret <lucy12241979@hotmail.com>

Good Job on the paper!

Matt Culbertson <mculbertson@hspower.com>

Very interesting paper on a not so interesting topic.

Comments Closed <10.05.01>

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Eric Doylr Knight <frruita@hotmail.com>

Good paper Danny. I think you presented the points clearly and concisely, while still being of interest to read. Well done.