The theory of morality posits that moral judgments are formed by evaluating the motivations and impacts of behaviors through our conscience. It highlights the complexity of moral assessments due to paradoxical interactions and incomplete information that lead to subjective decision-making without absolutes. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of awareness of consequences and interconnectedness in moral reasoning to foster a cycle of good actions.

1. Theory of Morality
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2. We make moral judgements of behaviour by consulting
our conscience (which could be defined as “the
intersection of the mind and the soul”.)
• We do this by comparing a behaviour’s motivation with its impact.
• When motivation and impact are perceived to be good, we judge
an action to be “right”.
• When motivation and impact are perceived to be bad, we judge an
action to be “wrong”.
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4. Realm of the soul (motivation)

5. Realm of the soul (motivation)
Realm of the mind (knowledge)

6. Right/ Right Right
Misguided
Realm of the soul (motivation)
Right/ Right Right
Misguided
Wrong Wrong/ Wrong/
Ambiguous Ambiguous
Realm of the mind (knowledge)

7. Divine
Right/ Right Right
Misguided
Realm of the soul (motivation)
Right/ Right Right
Misguided
Wrong Wrong/ Wrong/
Ambiguous Ambiguous
Malevolent
Realm of the mind (knowledge)

8. Moral judgements are not always black and
white.
• Some behaviours are hard to judge because:
– Interactions between motivation and impact can be paradoxical.
– We are often working with incomplete information about how a person
has weighed the consequences of their behaviour.
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9. When we are choosing our own
behaviour, it is our conscience that guides
us.
• Our own moral intentions could be said to emanate from the
“realm of the soul”.
• Our assessment of the net impact of our behaviour on other lives
emanates from the “realm of the mind”.
• Individual moral decisions are therefore always personal and
subjective, as they can only be made within the parameters of
what is known.
• Because “what is known” can have infinite variations, there are no
moral absolutes.
• Moral absolutes require infinite knowledge of the connection of
all things.
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10. Self-interest
• Self interest is never good, but it doesn’t seems as bad if the
consequences are net neutral or net positive.
• It is well known that the more we can remove ourselves from the
consequences of our actions, the easier it is to act in self interest.
• Capitalism and globalisation remove us from the consequences of
our actions.
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11. Lessons
• By tapping into the connectedness of all things, we can make
better moral judgements.
• If we wish to judge, the first thing we must do is increase our
knowledge of the unique circumstances of the moral dilemma.
• We need to build societies and ways of living in the world that
bring us into greater contact with the consequences of our
decisions.
• Ultimately, because we can’t know the connectedness of all
things, we must:
– Focus on the “now”.
– Direct our moral intentions towards those we are with (regardless of
species).
– Do the right thing by them.
• If all of us do this, we will create a self-perpetuating cycle of
good.
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