Module II

Law and Standard of Morality

Scope of the Module

This module consists of five (5) lessons, namely:

Lesson 1. Meaning of Law and Standard
Lesson 2. Law: Eternal, Natural and Positive Laws
Lesson 3. The Proximate Standard of Morality and Other Standards
Lesson 4. Kinds of Doubt
Lesson 5. A Sound Concept of Human Nature

Overview of the Module

This module is designed to provide you with a clear knowledge of what

standard or law means in order to establish the proximate standard of morality or
the rightness or wrongness of an act. It also acquaints you with other standards of
morality used by other cultures. It determines what the real standard of morality
ought to be by providing you with a sound concept of human nature and thereby
to resolve whatever doubt you may have.

Objectives of the Module

After studying this module on law and standard of morality, you shall be able
to:
1. list down the four elements of law and kinds of law;
2. determine the meaning of standard and proximate standard as well as
moral standards of other cultures;
3. resolve doubt regarding the existence of law and obligations; and
4. demonstrate understanding why human nature as understood by right
reason is the proximate standard of morality.

1
Module II

Lesson 1. MEANING OF LAW AND STANDARD

Lesson Objectives:
After studying this lesson on the meaning of law and standard, you shall be
able to:
1. demonstrate understanding of the standards of morality; and
2. give the reason why conscience cannot be the standard of morality.

Terms as Defined in the Given Selection

1. conscience - the intelligence of man interpreting a law

2. moral law - the expression of God's will to his creatures
3. law - an ordinance of reason, promulgated by one who has charge of the
community for the common good
4. obligatory force of conscience - one who follows what he is going to do with
confidence that is the proper action to do
5. qualities of a standard - objectivity and plainness

Thoughts to Ponder on, Gleaned from the Given Selection

1. The immediate or proximate norm of morality is the rational human

nature.
2. Conscience can be manipulated or can be too strict or too lenient.
3. Conscience is the intelligence of man interpreting a law.
4. There are four elements in a law.
a. It must be an ordinance of reason.
b. It is given by one who has charge of the community.
c. It is for the common good.
d. It is promulgated or made known.

How can one know whether an act is good or bad? What is the yardstick
or standard to determine the morality of an act? What is the standard of morality?
Any standard must be plain and objective for everyone to understand. It must
also be the same for everyone.
There is a standard meter, a standard yardstick, a standard kilogram. Any
other measuring stick or balance must conform with the standard in order to
determine its rightness or wrongness. In school examinations, there is always a
correct answer sheet again from which answers can be compared.
What is the standard of morality which is the criterion or norm of the
goodness or badness of human acts? The immediate or proximate norm of
morality is rational human nature or man as man, meaning human nature as
considered by right reason.
Module I explained that man possesses qualities in common with plants and
animals, but the qualities that make him truly human are intellect and will. His
spirit composed of his intellect and will, must lord over his lower nature. Eating,
sleeping and sex, if subordinated to man's higher nature when they are done
extremely or illicitly, they are evil. All activities of man as man such as thinking,
willing, loving are in themselves good provided they do not inordinately oppress
the body. If one studies and works intellectually and will towards the acquisition
of spiritual goods, these activities are good. If, however, one tends to overdo study
and work to the detriment of health, these activities become evil. If one loves
physical goods inordinately so as to sacrifice one's higher nature, then this love
ceases to be good.
Some persons believe that God's will ought to be immediate or proximate
norm of morality, or that God's will ought to determine the goodness or badness of
human acts. It is indeed good to think so, but how does one determine God's will?
Is it written in the sky or communicated by an angel? If it is not, then it does
not satisfy the qualities of a standard, namely objectivity and plainness. God's will
is not the proximate standard of morality.
Some persons erroneously believe that conscience or "that tiny voice" is the
standard of morality. Conscience can be manipulated or it can be too strict or too
lenient. Conscience is not objective, and hence, it cannot be the proximate
standard of morality.
Conscience can be scrupulous or unscrupulous. A scrupulous conscience
considers any infraction of the law as grievous sin or fault, and an unscrupulous
conscience considers acts like stealing and cheating as minor faults and hence
allowable. If the goodness or badness of human acts were to be left to the
conscience of an individual, every act would either be minor or grievous, because
conscience is subjective.
Conscience, however, can be honed and perfected, although it is rare to acquire
a tender conscience which is an exact conscience. Why then do many people
consider conscience as a voice that should always be followed even when erroneous?
What is conscience?
Conscience is the intelligence of man interpreting a law. Given a law, man's
conscience or intelligence applies it to a given situation. Without any other means
available to check one's interpretation, one indeed has to follow the dictates of
conscience. One often hears people who say, "My conscience is clear." Conscience,
per se, howoever, is not enough. One should seek advice, admonition and second
opinions from those who are objective and wise. However, in case the person
strongly believes that what he is going to do is the correct action and has no
doubt about it, then he is obliged to follow his conscience. This is known in
Ethics as the "obligatory force of conscience."
It is evident from the above that there is a law according to which one applies
his conscience. One does not prescribe no-matter-what. There is an objective law
which rational human nature must conform to. This is the moral law which is the
expression of God's will to His creatures. The moral law is what rational human
nature will eventually discover.
To determine the moral law, one must know what law is. Law is defined as
an ordinance of reason, promulgated by one who has charge of the community for
the common good (Summa Theologiae, Part I - II, Question 90, Article 4). There are
therefore four elements in law: 1) it must be an ordinance of reason; 2) by one who
has charge of the community; 3) for the common good; and 4) promulgated.
A law is always reasonable; otherwise, it is not a law. It must be made by
one who has charge of the community, which means that one is the authorized
ruler. It must be for the common good which means that law is not oppressive or
detrimental to the constituents. It must be promulgated or made known; otherwise,
how would the constituents be able to follow said law?
Excerpts for Additional Guide to Morality

From Jaime C. Laya, A Question of Quality (1985, p. 163).

President Ferdinand E. Marcos has identified the "seven pillars of moral

redemption" as components of Filipino ideology: 1) nationalism and identity:
2) unity; 3) social justice; 4) participative democracy; 5) self-reliance through
planned change; 6) freedom of belief; and 7) internationalism or
adherence to the ideals of the United Nations.

President Manuel L. Quezon's Code of Ethics

1. Have faith in Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and
nations.
2. Respect the Constitution which is the expression of your sovereign will.
The government is your government. It has been established for your
safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all
and that public officials comply with their duties.
3. Pay your taxes willingly and promptly. Citizenship implies not only
rights but also obligations.
4. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decision of the
majority.
5. Value your honor as you value your life. Poverty with honor is
preferable to wealth with dishonor.
6. Be truthful and be honest in thought and in action. Be just and
charitable, courteous but dignified in your dealings with your fellowmen.
7. Be industrious. Be not afraid or ashamed of manual labor. Productive
toil is conducive to economic security and adds to the wealth of the
nation.
Module II
Lesson 1

SELF-PROGRESS CHECK TEST

A. On the blank before each number, write True if the statement is

true; otherwise, write False.

True 1. Conscience is the standard of morality.

False 2. God's will is the proximate standard of morality.
True 3. Rational human nature as considered by right reason is the standard
of morality.
False 4. A law can be made by anyone.
False 5. A law does not have to be made known.
True 6. Any standard must be plain and objective for everyone to understand.
False 7. It is impossible to attain a proximate norm of morality.
False 8. Sometimes a law is unreasonable.
True 9. A law is always meant for the common good.
True 10. Proximate standard of morality refers to the rightness or wrongness
of the act.

B. On the blank before each number, write the word or words that
complete the given statement.

it must be an ordinance of reason 1. The four qualities of a law are ,

by one who has charge of the community 2. ,
for the common good 3. , and
promulgated 4. .
scrupulous 5. Conscience is too if it considers any infraction of the
law as a grievous sin or fault.