Why Should I Be Moral?

Why Should I be Moral?

Why should I be moral? The answer to this question shall be based on G. Kavka’s (1984) Reconciliation Project. In the first section, this paper will develop the concept of morality is an act of duty and responsibility. In the second section, this paper will argue that I should be moral because it is prudent.

Concept of Morality

What is morality? According to Kavka, the concept of morality is an act of duty and responsibility. To justify this, it is doing an actions in accordance to one’s duty and responsibility and is an action in response of how others treat you.

Morality is doing an actions in accordance to one’s duty and responsibility. Kavka (1984) agrees in Hobbes’ view of morality that is a man should follow the general rules of conduct in order to promote peace, cooperation and mutual restraint (p.3). Doing such responsibility will guarantee the safety and peaceful living of each other. It is our duty to make agreements and set things right to avoid crimes. However, there may be times that we should treat others nicely regardless of what they do to us in return. In such a case, we must continue to treat them nicely no matter what they do to us in order to achieve peace and taking to consideration that it will be beneficial for all. Thus, the self-interested individual, if sufficiently rational and farsighted, will follow these rules because doing so is the best way to peaceful and cooperative relations with others. (Kavka, 1984, p. 3).

Morality is doing an actions in response of how others treat you. Kavka (1984) used the Hobbesian morality as the governing principle of morality and that is the Copper Rule (p. 5). The rule emphasizes that you should treat others the way others treats you. You cannot expect everyone to be moral especially when life is at risk. Moreover, man is expectedly to be punish if he will violates such moral standards that is set by the status quo. However, this way, the one who is at risk needs to fight and defend himself in order to survive. For practice morality allows us considerable leeway to engage in otherwise forbidden conduct toward those who violate moral constraints, especially when this is necessary or protection (Kavka, 1985, p.5). Thus, being moral according to Kavka doesn’t have to be saintly and take into considerations the absolute understanding of individual’s situation.

What is morality? According to Kavka, the concept of morality is an act of duty and responsibility. Morality is doing an actions in accordance to one’s duty and responsibility and is an action in response of how others treat you.

Reasons for Morality

Why should I be moral? I should be moral because it is prudent. I should be moral because (a) it best serves my interest and (b) it provides harmonious relationship with others.

I should