Question

2) Explain "moral worth". What is it, and how should the moral worth of another being be determined? Give at least two accounts. (You may want to reference Immanuel Kant's theory, or refer to our discussion of who to save from a burning building).

Answer 1

Moral worth of an action in very simple words can be defined as the extent to which the the individual who has performed the action is praiseworthy or should be blamed for it.The moral worth of the other being can be determined by seeing if the actions performed by the being is done from the duty alone .If the action is by the individual is motivated only from his or her moral considerations then it is said to be morally worthy . Kant has explained this with examples .Let us take the example he has given . In his example a merchant deals with his customers in a fair way . All the customers are treated equally . Kant says that his actions are morally worthless if he is acting only to expand his business or in simple words only for the sake of his business. A person can have moral worth only if the action is done by him from a perspective of morality . Similarly a person who is social welfare and social good can be considered morally worthy only if the actions are motivated by natural morality.