The Harry Singer Foundation
Values Forum

Moral Principles

Moral principles are concepts that help us choose a course of action. We need moral principles to determine right from wrong. Without moral principles there would be no way of knowing what is essential to judge a situation and what is irrelevant. We would not even know what to consider. 

For example, a person with moral principles might consider the following when tempted to take a joy-ride in a stranger's convertible; top-down, keys inside, parked in the lot of a large shopping mall:

This car is not my property. This car is someone else's property. It is not right (not honest, not up to the code of behavior I set for myself) to use someone else's property without permission. To use the property as if it were mine would be a falsehood, and not honest. I did nothing to merit this automobile; I did not work for it or receive it as a gift because of my relationship with someone. The owner did something to deserve it. If I were to take away the benefit that is rightfully the owners, a miscarriage of justice would occur. I will be true to my principles and leave the car alone.

A person in the situation just described, who holds no moral principles, might go through the following exercise:

I would like to see what it feels like to drive this car. If I get in and get caught I could get into trouble. How likely is it that I will get caught? The only one who knows for sure that this is not my car is the owner. What are the odds that the owner will come by before I am safely away from here? Because the keys are in the unlocked car I will not arouse suspicion. It's easy, relatively safe and I want to do it. Let's go!

Once moral principles are abandoned, abstract concepts such as ownership and property rights disappear. Property rights underlie all other rights and, as we discussed on page one, are rights, not to an object, but to action capable of producing that object. (Property rights and the right of free trade are moral principles which define and protect an individual's freedom of action. p 1) Property rights have been defined as a guarantee to an individual that if he is successful at earning property he will own that property and be free to keep it, use it or give it away if he so desires. Once moral principles are abandoned, honesty and justice also disappear. Justice cannot be legislated; it comes from the hearts and minds of the people and must be freely given.

Questions to ponder and discuss:

Does cheating on an exam hurt anyone but you, and you only if you're caught?

What are the reasons, if any, to do the best job you can even if the job pays minimum wage?

Should morality be measured by intentions or universal truth? Is it true that actions speak louder than words?

Should morals be judged keeping benefit and harm in mind?

Is the greatest good for the greatest number a moral imperative? Why or why not?

Rights belong to individuals, not groups. There are not consumer rights, farmer rights, children rights, unborn rights, worker rights, employee rights. If more than one individual is involved, voluntary consent must be obtained from every individual member of the group. No person may make a claim upon the other without their voluntary consent. Each individual may choose, but no one is entitled to force his or her choice on another. Government is force. In a truly civilized society citizens deal with one another by reasoned discussion, persuasion and voluntary consent.

Do you agree with the preceding paragraph? Why or why not?                    

Family

Here you will find several interactive programs you are invited to analyze your family situation and exchange stories, traditions and ideas with other families.