Religion has played a main role in society in establishing moral laws. All through out human history, as it is recorded in historical documents, religious institutions have been in charge of morality. In fact, the concepts of right and wrong are part of the beliefs system itself. The followers of a specific religion follow the moral system established by the religion. In Hinduism, for example, "Karma" is an important element of the belief system. Karma can be regarded as and ethical method that inclines individuals to behave and act with benevolence. In western terminology, Karma can be classified as a method of morality. In Christianity, the Ten Commandments are the laws by God given to his people. These laws tell what is expected of them. They not only required the worshiping and the devotion to God, but also establish certain actions as bad, that if committed the harmony with God is broken. The individual then is given the ability to distinguish or choose between good and bad. The actions are then praised or punished in accordance to the righteousness of the action. Religion has always been in charge in establishing the moral values of society; it is not a phenomenon of an epoch. Going back to the earliest evidence of civili
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Third, a good will treats people as ends, not means (Kessler 79). He states, "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness" (Mill 87). One of this ethical system was suggested by Immanuel Kant (Germany 1724-1804) the philosopher responsible of what is now known as Kantian philosopy. The only person that knows the true intentions of an act is the person itself. Such a system for morals would be difficult to enforce. A good will must meet what he calls the "categorical Imperative" which is defined as that act the can be universalized, "Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will that is should became a universal law" (Kessler 79). Humans perform actions that can be categorized as good such as the tendency to help others; however, such actions can not be regarded as morally right without studying the motive of the action. Kant’s ultimate message is that humans must do what is good because it is good, regardless of the consequences (Kessler 19). Religion can be described as the authority that provides, protects, enforces, and establishes moral values for society. The intentions are what make an action good not the consequences. Higher pleasure are those of "the intellect, of the feelings and imagination, and of the moral sentiments a much higher value as pleasure than to those of mere sensation" (Mill 88). There are many individuals in society that completely denied the existence of God, while still posses a good or moral character. Various ethical systems have been created taking the position of the latter.
Approximate Word count =
1418
Approximate Pages =
6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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