PART I: ETHICS AND MORAL CHOICES - Judgements
There are just a few important theoretical distinctions with which I would like to conclude this section. The first has to do with at least two kinds of moral judgments: (1) judgments of moral obligation, and (2) judgments of moral value. Judgments of moral obligation have to do with actions. One might say that he or she "ought" to do this or that I have a moral obligation to do that.. Of such actions, we can say that she did the right thing or he did the wrong thing. Judgments of moral obligation often refer to the terms right and wrong. Judgments of moral value relate to persons, motives, intentions and traits of character. Here, one uses the terms good or bad, virtuous or vicious, saintly or despicable. Note that not all value judgments are moral judgments. I might say that the film was a good film or that you make a good martini. These are value judgments but not judgments of moral value. If I say your intentions were good, then I have made a judgment of moral value. Judgments of value and judgments of non-moral value should not be confused. Judgments of moral obligation and judgments of moral value also should not be confused. They often are. In the film, Oh God, George Burns who plays God, says in one scene to the person He has chosen as a messenger, "You did good." Of course God can say anything He wishes, but in this course that is incorrect usage. What should have been said is that "You did the right thing." Remember, actions are right or wrong, people are good or evil.