Man as a Moral Agent robot are not a moral agent because they can’t knowingly, freely, and

Moral comes from the Latin word “mores” referring to society’s patterns, rules, and voluntarily act.

standards. While agent comes from the Latin word “agere” which means to do and  Every human act is directed towards an end

to act. A moral agent is the one who performs an act in accordance with moral  For Aristotle, that end which sought for its own sake, is longer sought for

standards. Also, moral agent is the moral actor which is the one who acts morally. the sake of another end. He believe that “summum bonum” which is the
highest good and that highest good is happiness.
 Moral agent is the one who performs an act in accordance with moral
 For St. Thomas, the highest good or end is happiness by absolutely final
standards.
end is God.
 Human act are those of which a man master, which he has the power to
 Alfredo Panizo (1964), cited three Themistic Principles.
doing or not doing as he pleases. It also refers to those actions which
 1st Principle: every agent that performs an action acts for the sake of
proceed from man as a rational being.
end or purpose to be attained.
According to Jonathan Edwards (1754), a moral agent is a being who is capable  2nd Principle: every agent acts for n ultimate end.
of those actions that have morally quality and which can be properly denominated  3rd Principle: every agent has the power of moving for an end which
good or evil in moral sense. While according to Bernard Haring (1971), only a asuitable or good for him.
moral agent is capable of human acts. That is why “morality is for persons”.  Form the Christian point of view, a human person’s destiny in the world is
not only to achieve cultural and moral perfection, but to attain the eternal
Moral Agency is the ability to make ethical decisions based on what is right or
happiness of the soul after death of the body.
wrong. So if certain agents can obey moral laws such as “murder is wrong” and
The Fundamental Option seeks to understand the moral life of individuals in
“stealing is wrong” then they are moral agents, even if they respond only to
terms of their overall orientation or fundamental choice for or against God.it
prudent reasons such as fear of punishment and even if they are incapable of
emphasizes the importance of personal conscience and the role it plays in moral
acting for the sake of moral considerations.
decision-making. One’s choice of his way of life, may be gradually established
 According to Kant, it is also essential that the agents should have a capacity
and may be difficult to change it, except by God’s grace at the moment of death.
to rise above their feelings and passions and for the sake of the moral law.
A person’s act is moral if it realizes his/her potential and him/her nearer to his
 The absence of that capacity to conform to moral standard, as in the case of
goal in life, immoral it deviates from it.
an insane person, excludes you from moral agency. Such as, a dog and a
No Pre-Fixed Plan for a Man – there are no pre-designed, pre-fixed design physical world. It may be seen as realm of spiritual enlightenment, ultimate
plan, purpose of man’s being. According to existentialist like Jean Paul Stare, a truth or eternal life.
human person becomes what he/she makes of himself by choice. One who lives
The Development of Moral Character of the Moral Agent
a life of blindly following what other think, say and do is nothing. Ethical
decision and actions are seen as subjective and contingent upon individual Defining Moment refers to a significant life changing event or moment that

perspectives and context. This perspective holds thy individual have freedom to reverberates throughout your career and personal life and so changes

determine their own ethical principles and moral guidelines based on their own everything. Defining moments plays a crucial role in shaping our moral

values, circumstances and reasoning. A human person has to create his/her end, character.

purposes and directions. They create their own destiny. The existentialist and  Personal Experiences where moments where you had to make tough

process philosophers do not want any other being to be co-responsible with ethical decisions, face moral dilemmas, or witness events that challenge

them for what they decide to do. Remain open to what they are able to create, your values. For example, reporting unethical behavior to a coworker may

discover or invent which will guide them to the next chapter of their lives. risk one’s job.

“World to Come” means “World to come out of this World”  Role Models are individuals who inspire and exemplify strong moral

 Fr. Rene de Brabander, a former professor in St. Louis University, Baguio character. For example, consistently demonstrating integrity and kindness as

City, wrote an article entitled “Christianity in the Modern World” that says parents or guardians.

modern Christian departs from the view that earthly life, the modern flesh, is  Moral Education refers to formal or informal teachings that instill values,
a sinful thing and has to be abandoned for the sake of heavenly life. But ethics, and virtues. For example, attending a religious institution that
heaven and earth are one and the same thing, you cannot love and despise educates on honesty, forgiveness, and empathy.
the other. The phrase “word to come” typically refers to a future or Moral Formation refers to the process of developing one’s moral character and
eschatological world that is believed to follow the present world or reality. values. It involves the integration of personal experiences, upbringing,
In the context of “world to come out of this world”, it suggest the idea of education, and societal influences.
transcending or moving beyond the limitations and constrains of the present Character refers to the moral and ethical qualities that define an individual.
world or reality. This can be found in various religious and spiritual While Moral Acts are actions that align with moral principles and values.
traditions that envisions a realm or state of existence that transcends the Engaging in moral acts helps develop moral character by:
  Cultivating Virtues: Consistently practicing moral behavior reinforces Moral Development refers to the process through which a human person gains
virtuous traits like honesty, compassion, and integrity. For example, always his/her beliefs, skills, and dispositions that make him/her a morally mature
telling the truth. person.
 Strengthening Moral Reasoning: Reflecting on moral choices enhances  Social psychologists look at the moral agent as he is, where he is, in the
ethical decision-making skills. For example, taking the time to consider the society where he lives. From birth, he/she is cared, nurtured and influenced
potential consequences and ethical implications of a decision. by the world around him/her. In other words, as disclosed and unveiled as
 Building Moral Habits: Repeated moral acts create a patterns of behavior he/she is, the moral agent undergoes development.
that become part of one’s character. For example, volunteering regularly to  William A. Kay (1970) has the following to say regarding the nature of
help those in need builds habits of compassion and empathy. moral development. So morality can be described as passing through stages
An individual’s character influences their moral acts by: of behavior controlled first by tabo; then second by, law; third by
 Guiding Choices: Strong moral character guides individuals to make ethical conscience (i.e. irrational, intrajected values); fourth, by reciprocity; fifth,
decisions that align with their values. For example, strong integrity resist by social consensus and finally by personal moral principles, though not
dishonesty even personal gain. necessarily in that order. Stated differently, the five stages may be reduced
 Resisting Temptation: Virtuous character traits help individuals resist to three as follows:
immoral or unethical actions. For example, a person with a strong sense of  The amoral stage- egocentric, hedonist and prudential considerations.
self-discipline will resist the urge to cheat on a test despite academic  The pre-moral stage- authoritarian, ego-idealist, social and reciprocal
pressure. considerations.
 Inspiring Positive Influence: Individuals with strong moral character  The moral stage- personal, autonomous, altruistic, rational, independent
inspire others to act morally. For example, a leader who demonstrates and responsible considerations
humility and ethical behavior inspires their team members to do the same.
If your reasons to go to school are “I am afraid to be dropped and fail” and “to
The Continual Development of Moral Character: Moral character is not
show to my parents that I am a good student” you are in the a-moral’s ego-
fixed; it can be further developed and shaped throughout life. Continued moral
idealist stage. If you go to school every day because “I promised to my parents I
reflection, self-awareness, and personal growth contribute to the refinement of
will never be absent” that is William Kay’s pre moral stage (social and
moral character.
reciprocal consideration.) If your reason is “it is the right thing to do,” have
The Stages of Moral Development
reached Kay’s moral stage personal, autonomous, rational, independent and An example would be when a child is asked by his parents to do a chore.
rational considerations. The child asks “what’s in it for me?” and the parents offer the child a
reward by giving him a treat.
Stage of Moral Development
Level 2: Conventional: Throughout the conventional level, a child’s sense
Kohlberg (2013) describes the stages of moral development in 3 stages, namely: of morality is tied to personal and societal relationships. Children continue
Level 1 – Preconventional morality, Level 2-Conventional morality, and Level to accept the rules of authority figures, but this is now due to their belief that
3- Post-Conventional morality. Each level has two stages each so that there are this is necessary to ensure positive relationships and societal order.
six stages of moral development.  Stage 3: “Good Boy, Nice Girl” Orientation: In stage 3, children want
Level 1: Pre-conventional morality: This is the lowest level of moral the approval of others and act in ways to avoid disapproval. Emphasis is
development in Kohlberg’s theory. At the pre-conventional level children placed on good behavior and people being “nice” to others. The
don’t have a personal code of morality. Instead, their moral code is individual is good in order to be seen as being a good person by others.
controlled by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or “To show to my parents and teachers that I am a good student” and “I
breaking adults’ rules. Authority is outside the individual and reasoning is promised by parents never to be absent fall under this stage of good boy,
based on the physical consequences of actions. There is no internalization of nice girl orientation.
moral values.  Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation: The child/individual becomes
 Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation: The aware of the wider rules of society, so judgments concern obeying the
child/individual. Does good in order to avoid being punished. If he/she is rules in order to uphold the law and to avoid guilt. It is a matter of “I
punished, he/ she must have done wrong. Children obey because adults have to do this because the law says so.”
tell them to obey. Moral decisions are based on fear of punishment. It is Level 3 Post-Conventional Morality: This is the level of full
a matter of obey or you get punished. internalization. Morality is completely internalized and not based on
 Stage 2: Instrumental Orientation: Right behavior is defined by external standards. Individual judgment is based on self-chosen principles

whatever the individual believes to be in his/her best interest. “What’s in and moral reasoning is based on individual rights and justice

it for me?” In this stage there is limited interest in the needs of others,  Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation: The child/individual becomes
only to the point where it might further the individual’s own interests. It aware that while rules/laws might exist for the good of the greatest
is a matter of “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” mentality.
 number, there are times when they will work against the interest of  Corresponding therefore to the prior discussion on the moral
particular individuals development is the formulation of conscience. “Conscience is the dog
 Stage 6: Universal, Ethical, Principle Orientation: Individuals at this that can’t bite, but never stops barking”.
stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines which may or  Conscience formulation begins with deep-seated decision to seek moral
may not fit the law. They have developed moral judgments that are truth. It is sustained by the habit of consistently education oneself by
based on universal human rights. The principles apply to everyone. The exposure to objective moral norms and rationale behind those norms.
person will be prepared to act to defend these principles even if it means  A sound conscience must stand on the firm foundation of integrity,
going against the rest of society in the process and having to pay the sincerity, and forthrightness.
consequences of disapproval and/or imprisonment. Kohlberg doubted few
The Meaning of Human Act
people reached this stage. (McLeod, 2013)
After studying the nature of the moral agent, the next thing to study is the nature of
Development of Conscience-Based Moral Decision
human act itself. According to Fr. Coppens (2017), human acts are those of which a
Conscience is our lived knowledge of good and evil, our judgment about man is master, which he has the power of doing or not doing as he pleases. While
how we should act and our commitment to do so. The word “conscience” according to Panizo (1964), human acts are those acts which proceed from man as a
comes the Latin word cum (together) and scientia, scire (to know). rational being.
Conscience is a practical moral judgment on the morality of a particular action,
Human acts are the acts of a moral agent. Hence, the actions committed by
commanding to do what is good and to avoid what is evil.
unconscious and insane persons, infants, or by those who are physically forced to
 A moral faculty or feeling prompting us to see that certain actions are
do something are not considered as human acts but acts of man. Likewise, actions
morally right and wrong.
which merely happen in the body or through the body without awareness of the
 Guilt signals to us that we are not comfortable with our behavior. It can
mind or the control of the will are not human acts but merely acts of man. Examples
alert us that something is wrong.
of acts of man are breathing, blinking, of the eyes, dilation of pupil of the eye,
 It is not enough to be sincere, it is important to be correct.
perspiring and jerking of the knee.
The Formation of Conscience