1. Moral Theory

2. Moral Philosophy
• Is the study of the values and guidelines by
which we live, as well as the justification of
these values and guidelines
• Two traditional subdivisions of Moral
Philosophy: Normative Ethics (Applied Ethics)
and Theoretical Ethics (Moral reasoning –
justification )

3. Purpose of Moral Theories
• A theory is a conceptual framework for
explaining a set of facts or concepts
• The theory explains why a certain action is
wrong and why we act in certain ways
• The theory helps us clarify, critically analyze
and rank the moral concerns
• A good theory offers guidance or signposts for
thinking about and resolving moral issues

4. Types of Moral Theories
• Ethical Relativism – morality is invented or
created by people
Ethical Subjectivism
“What I feel is right is right; What I feel is
wrong is wrong.”
Cultural Relativism
“We recognize that morality differs in
every society, and is a convenient term for
socially approved habits”

5. • Universalist or objectivist Moral Theory –
holds that there are fundamental, objective
moral principles and values that are
universally true for all people, independent of
their personal beliefs or culture.
- The Divine Command Theory
- Natural Law Theory