Modified Prudential Theory of Morality

Why should I be moral? The answer of this should be based on the

Modified Prudential Theory of Morality by Gregory Kavka (1984). In the first

section of my paper, it will discuss the concept of morality is a duty or

responsibility. For the second section of my paper, we should be moral because

it is prudent.

Concept of Morality

Why should I be moral? According to Kavka, morality is a duty. In his

Modified Prudential Theory of Morality, he stated that morality are (1) acts that

are usually being practiced by and, (2) acts that other people aspire.

Morality is an act that is usually being practiced by. This aspect of

morality is what you call practice morality. According to Kavka, this kind of

morality involves the standard of conduct that are being normally expected of and

are commonly practiced by an individual living with a moral traditions. With this,

we can understand as a duty; a duty and responsibilities to other people. For

Hobbes, he viewed the rules of morality are our responsibilities towards others

and Kavka agrees with it.

People who usually fail to this kind of morality, they are being accused,

criticized or worse, punished. So for morality, it prohibits robbery, killing and other

crimes. One example would be, if an individual kill somebody, he violates a

person’s liberty and rights. If someone commits those crimes, he is being

punished or the other kind of punishment. Hence, it is our obligation to respect

one’s life and presence. What I have written on top are all rules of morality which

includes our duty and responsibility towards the other people. Hence, Morality is

a duty that is usually being practiced by.

For Kavka, morality is also an act that other people aspire. It is a

moral excellence that a tradition set up as models to aspire and admire. This is

the second aspect of morality called ideal morality. It is a kind of morality that is

far more challenging standards compared to practice morality.

Different from practice morality, here, an individual who fail to this kind of

moral standard are not being accused, criticized or punished. But in contrast, if

they have done it, they are being respected, praised and honoured. One example

would be, a waiter returns the lost phone of a costumer, the waiter is being

admired and sometimes they are being rewarded by their good deeds. If an

individual goes beyond his expected duty, he is being aspired and admired.

These good image and example are used as a role model for the others to follow.

What is morality? According to Kavka, morality is an act that are usually being

practiced by and, (2) acts that other people aspire.

Reasons for Morality

Why should I be moral? According to Kavka, I should be moral because it

is prudent. I should be moral because (1) it benefits me and, (2) it avoids

punishment.
 For him, it is always beneficial for being moral. When we try evaluating

the cost and benefit in doing moral and immoral acts, we always choose

benefiting us when we are being moral. One of the saying of Hobbes is that a

farsighted prudent man concerned with his own survival, security and well-being

would follow rules of traditional morality and Kavka agrees with it. By following a

moral life, if gives us more benefit. For him, it encourages peace and avoids

chaos for being moral. With this, being moral is gives us great privileges in life

when we choose in living a moral way.

I should be moral because it avoids punishment. Since the

consequence being immoral is to be punished, one must avoid in doing it. It will

put you in danger if you are being immoral. For Kavka, being prudent is not

engaging in a huge risk and the best way is to play it safe. We should be moral

because it is beneficial to us and also to avoid punishments. If someone tries to

hide their mistakes, it will put him in danger in the long run and sooner or later it

will eventually be exposed and the revenge of others may be greater than what

you have done. It is a huge risk meaning it is a bigger cost when someone

committed immoral acts.

Why should I be moral? For Kavka, the reasons for morality are being

driven by a person’s self-interest. Hence, I should be moral because (1) it

benefits me and, (2) it avoids punishment.

 Conclusion

Why should I be moral? The question is being addressed in my paper by

using Kavka’s Modified Prudential Theory of Morality (1984). According to him,

morality is a duty and responsibility that is usually being practiced and rules of

action that are being inspired and admired. He also justifies the reasons for

morality that it is prudent for being moral since it is beneficial and it avoids

punishment.