MODULE 10

The Importance of Will and Moral Courage

Moral courage is the courage to put moral principles into action even though you may be in doubt, are
afraid, or face adverse consequences. Moral courage involves moral deliberation and mastery of the
self. Moral courage is essential not only a virtuous life, but also a happy one because integrity is
essential to self-esteem.

Moral courage means “doing the right thing even at the risk of inconvenience, ridicule, punishment, loss
of job or security or social status etc. Moral courage requires that we rise above the apathy,
complacency, hatred, cynicism, and fearmongering in our political systems, socioeconomic divisions, and
cultural/ religious differences.

How can one practice moral courage? This is where the “will” comes into play. One sense of the concept
“will” refer to the faculty of the mind which chooses, at the moment of making decision, the strongest
desire from among the various desires present. “Will” does not refer to any particular desire, but rather
to the capacity to act decisively on one’s desires. Within philosophy the will is important as one of the
distinct parts of the mind, along with reason and understanding. It is considered important in ethics
because of its central role in enabling a person to act deliberately. Commonly, we think of will in the
active sense, of self-control, of working toward and attaining goals.

The German philosopher Arthur Schpenhauer explained that when we become conscious of ourselves,
we recognize that our essential qualities are endless urging, craving, striving, wanting, and desiring. He
said that these are features of that which we call our “will”. According to Schpenhaur, will is the
innermost essence, the kernel, of every particular thing and also of the whole. It appears in every blindly
acting force of nature, and also in the deliberate conduct of man” (as quoted in “Desire,” n.d.). He
believed that the will is primary and uses knowledge in order to find an object that will satisfy its
craving.

A pertinent concept is that of will power. It refers to the “inner strength” to make a decision, tale action,
and handle and execute any aim or task until it is accomplished, regardless of inner and outer resistance,
discomfort of difficulties. It bestows the ability to overcome laziness, temptations and negative habits,
and to carry out actions, even if they require effort, are unpleasant and tedious or are contrary to one’s
habits” (Developing Will Power and Self Discipline”, Nd).

Having moral courage and will means doing the right thing, which may include listening to our
conscience, that quiet voice within. Disregarding that voice may lead to feelings of inadequacy, guilt and
diminished personal integrity. For parents, using will power usually demands putting aside compelling
but momentary pleasures or comforts in order to set a good example for their children and be the good
parents they wish to be.

Moral courage demands us to make judgments about what behaviors or acts are supportive of our
ethical ideologies or highest ideals, and which ones are destructive. Moral courage and will require us to
recognize our responsibilities and be accountable to the consequences of our actions.
Moral courage sounds like (“Moral Courage,” n.d.):

 I believe strongly in marriage.

 That joke was offensive to women/Muslims/the disabled/etc.
 “Let’s volunteer.”
 It’s not fair that you didn’t pay your debts.
 “No, thanks, I don’t want to hear a secret!”
 “You shouldn’t talk behind her/his back.”
 On the other hand, lack of moral courage sounds like (“Moral Courage, “n.d.)
 “It’s none of my business.”
 “She got what she deserved.”
 “That’s got nothing to do with me.”
 “Nobody ever gives me a break.”
 “There’s no use of trying to change the system, it’s just too strong.”
 “Nobody else is doing anything about it, why should I?”
 “I only did it once.”
 “This is all your fault!”
 Developing Will and Moral Courage

The following are tips or suggestions on how to develop will and moral courage:

1. Develop and practice self-discipline

The concept self-discipline involves the rejection of instant gratification in favor of something better.
Ethically applied, it may refer to the giving up of instant pleasure and satisfaction for a higher and better
goal such as executing a good rational moral decision.

Developing will and moral courage involves developing self-control. It includes nurturing the ability to
stick to actions, thoughts, and behavior, which lead to moral improvement and success. It encompasses
endowing the inner strength to focus all the energy on a moral goal and persevere until it is
accomplished.

2. Do mental strength training

One of the most simple and effective methods under this mental strength training involves declining to
satisfy unimportant and unnecessary desires. A person gets courageous and stronger by practicing to
refuse cravings and temptations.

Saying to useless, harmful or unnecessary desires and deeds, and behaving contrary to one’s (bad)
habits, fortify and refine a person’s mindset. By persistent practice, one’s inner power grows, in the
same way working out one’s muscles at gym increases one’s physical strength. In both cases, when a
person needs inner power of physical strength, they are available at his/her disposal.
The following are some examples. Some of them are not necessarily ethical related:

 Don’t open the internet for a day or two.

 Drink water or juice, in spite of your desire to have a beer or liquor.
 Avoid chatting with your gossipy friend.
 For a week, go to sleep one hour earlier than usual.
 Resist the desire to gamble.

Trainings like these add to the storehouse of one’s inner strength. By following a

Methodical method of training, a person can reach far, have more control over oneself and one’s life,
realize ethical goals, improve his/her life, and achieve satisfaction and peace of mind.

3. Draw inspiration from people of great courage.

People usually admire and respect courageous persons who have won great success by manifesting self-
discipline and will power. These include people in all walks of life, who with sheer will power and moral
courage, overcame difficulties and hardships, have improved their moral life, advanced on the spiritual
or moral path, and became worthy of imitation.

History is filled with outstanding examples of moral courage, whom we rightly celebrate: Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and especially Jesus Christ and His apostles. When we see individuals
put their comfort, safety, security, reputation, or even life on the line for a cause they believe in, or for
an ideal that matters more than personal wellbeing, we witness moral courage and will in action.

4. Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral courage and will

Practice makes perfect. If one wishes to nurture the moral courage and will in him, he must strive doing
the acts that manifest them whenever opportunity allows it.

The following are some example: (“Moral Courage,” n.d.):

 Helping someone push a car (e.g. out of a snow bank) even if it means being late
 Standing up to a bully on the playground risking job loss, financial
 Picking up litter
 Doing homework or chores without being reminded
 Refusing to listen to or repeat gossip
 Practicing what you preach, even when no one is looking or knows
 Giving all students an equal voice regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion. Gender or
sexual orientation
 Becoming company whistle blower risking job loss, financial cost, and or legal repercussion
 Reporting a crime
 Participating in a peaceful protest
5. Avoid deeds that show lack of moral courage and will.

This involves evading acts that show irresponsibility, cowardice, apathy, rashness, imprudence, ill will,
and wickedness.

Here some examples (“Moral Courage,” n.d.

 Walking from someone in need

 Taking more than your fair share
 Laughing at someone’s misfortune or accident
 Grabbing the spotlight from someone who has earned it
 Placing too much reliance on the letter rather than the spirit of the law
 Remaining silent in the face of wrong-doing or injustice
 Rationalizations or justifications for action/lack of action
 Being inconsistent or capricious with rules and standards for one’s children
 Breaking a promise