LESSON 3: MORAL COURAGE Part 2: THE ACT

THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE

MORAL COURAGE
doing what is right even at the risk of inconvenience.
ridicule, punishment, loss of job or security or social status,
etc.

Requires that we rise above apathy, complacency,

hatred, cynicism, and fearmongering in our political
systems, socioeconomic divisions, and cultural/religious
differences.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
WILL
Faculty of the mind which chooses, at the moment of
making decision, the strongest desire from among the
various desire present.
Refers to the capacity to act decisively on one’s desires.
It enables a person to act deliberately
According to Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher,
will is primary and uses knowledge in order to find an
object that will satisfy its craving.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
WILL POWER
 the inner strength to make a decision, take action, and
handle and execute any aim or task until it is accomplished
regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort or
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
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
MORAL COURAGE + WILL = DOING THE RIGHT THING
 listening to our conscience, that quiet voice within
 Disregarding that voice may lead to feelings of inadequacy, guilt and
diminished personal integrity.

 MORAL COURAGE
 demands us to make judgements about what behaviors or acts are
supportive of our ethical ideologies or highest ideals and which ones are
destructive
 require us to recognize our responsibilities and accountable to the
consequences of our own actions
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
Moral Courage sounds like
“ I believe strongly in _______________.”
“That joke was offensive to women/Muslim/the disbled/etc/”
“Let’s volunteer.”
“It’s not fair that __________________.”
“No thanks, I don’t want to her a secret!”
“You shouldn’t talk behind his/her back.”
“Will you sign this petition?”
“You can depend on me.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
Lack of Moral Courage sounds like
“It’s none of my business.”
“She got what she deserved.”
“How could you do this to me?”
“I only did it once.”
“This is all your fault!”
“There’s no use trying to change the system, it’s too strong.”
“Nobody else is doing anything about it, why should I?”
“I might get into trouble.”
DEVELOPING WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
A. Develop and practice self-discipline
 rejection of instant gratification in favor of something better
 stick to actions, thoughts, and behavior, which lead to moral improvement and success.
Focus on a moral goal and persevere until it is accomplished

B. Do mental strength training

Declining to satisfy unimportant and unnecessary desires
No to useless, harmful or unnecessary desires and deeds, and behaving contrary to
one’s (bad) habits, fortify and refine a person’s mindset.
Practice = growth = strength/power
E.g. : Drink water or juice instead of liquor
Avoid chatting with friends who spread rumors
Resist the desire to gamble
DEVELOPING WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
C. Draw inspiration from people of great courage
 Individuals who put their comfort, safety, security, reputation, or even life on
the line for a cause they believe in, for an ideal that matters more than their
own personal well-being.

D. Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral courage and will

 practice makes perfect
Must strive to do the good deeds whenever opportunity allows it
DEVELOPING WILL AND MORAL COURAGE
E. Avoids deeds that show lack of moral courage and will
Acts that show irresponsibility, cowardice, apathy, rashness, imprudence, ill
will, and wickedness.
E.g. walking away from someone in need
taking more than your fair share
laughing at someone’s misfortune or accident
remaining silent in the face of wrong doing or injustice