MORAL CODE: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, EXAMPLES - PHILOSOPHY - 2024

A moral code is a set of moral norms and values ​​that guarantee the survival of the group through agreements between what should be considered as morally good or bad.

Moral codes are established between a group of people, regardless of type and size, it can be a family, a team, a nation or a race. Since people belong to different social groups, we govern our behavior based on different moral codes.

The purpose of a moral code is to guarantee the survival of the social group and the coexistence of its members.

This set of moral norms and values ​​can be explicitly stated, and even collected in writing, as is the case of the Constitution of a country, or they can be established implicitly, such as the moral code of a family or the that governs a certain culture.

characteristics

The following characteristics are typical of moral codes:

They are individual and own

The moral code deals with morality and morality is something individual. Therefore, people must be free to choose and decide whether to accept a moral code or not and must consider it as their own.

This is because it is in the exercise of individual action where the application of the norms and values ​​that make up the code occurs.

They are shared and coercive

Since the moral code is a kind of contract that the individuals of a social group establish among themselves, the norms and values ​​are shared by the group.

Failure to comply with the rules and values ​​of the contract generates reactions in the group aimed at punishing non-compliance with the code.

An example of this is when a person performs an action that does not conform to moral standards or values ​​and is judged as immoral and socially rejected by the rest of society.

They are hereditary

Moral codes are inherited from one generation to another through the family or formal systems such as school, church, etc. In this way, individuals from a young age begin to assimilate them and accept them as their own.

They are universal but also particular

There are some moral codes that are universal or nearly universal. They are accepted by the majority of the world's population, as for example the moral standard of "do not kill."

However, these codes depend on the social, historical and cultural context in which a certain social group is found. Thus, for example, during a war this rule is transformed and acquires different nuances and exceptions.

They evolve and transform

Moral codes are norms and values ​​that remain stable over time but are not immovable. Changes in the group environment associated with a moral code generate modifications or adaptations in it.

For example, in the Middle Ages, the code of morals was based on “capital sins” and “cardinal virtues”, but in today's society, this code does not have the same validity and has been substantially modified.

Types

The different types of moral codes respond to the nature of the group that governs them. They can be based on:

The religion

The code bases its values ​​and norms on religious beliefs and its non-compliance is punished both by society and by divine entities. Some of the older examples of moral codes are based on religion, such as the Divine Code.

Politics

This is the case of codes imposed by laws such as the Constitution of a country. In this case, non-compliance with its rules is sanctioned both by the State (fine, prison, etc.) and by society.

Traditions and customs

They are the codes that base their values ​​and norms on the idea of ​​"it has always been done this way." They are typical of small groups.

Examples

The Constitution of the United States

The United States Constitution, created in 1787, is a moral code in which the thirteen states that make up the federation reached various agreements to regulate their relations. It is the oldest federal constitution in effect today.

The Divine Code

It is known as the Noahic Code or "The seven laws of Noah" and focuses on the definition of the idea of ​​"good". According to history, the code came to us through Noah (Noah), to ensure that humanity did not make the same mistakes that had caused the universal flood.

Codex Borgia

It is one of the pre-Hispanic codes. Like other codes that coexisted in pre-Hispanic times, they were based on stories, making use of painting, to disseminate norms and values. This code is focused on fertility, the importance of rain and the lunar stages.

Medieval Code

This code arose in Medieval Europe between 1170 and 1220. It was composed of 10 main rules known as The Ten Romantic Commandments in which values ​​such as loyalty, honor, robustness and generosity were very important.

Hammurabi Code

The story goes that this code was communicated by King Hammurabi to the people, saying that it had been given to him by the God Shamash.

It was a highly coercive code in which each of the laws was associated with a punishment if it was disobeyed. Most of the punishments were associated with mutilation or death.

Moral Code of Scientology (or Scientology)

Developed in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard, it is based on 21 precepts such as "try not to do to others what you do not want them to do to you." The vision of this code is strongly utilitarian and pragmatic whose motto is "what is not useful for one, does not work".

Moral code of Islam

It is a moral code based on religion. It is a broad code that penetrates various spheres of life, regulating both the smallest details of domestic life, as well as international behavior.

The ultimate goal of the moral code of Islam, largely embodied in the Qur'an, is for people to live in deep love and submission to Allah.

References

1. Ethical and moral codes. In Virtual Encyclopedia. Consulted on June 11, 2018, from eumed.net
2. Church of Scientology International. (2011). The moral codes. Recovered from spanish.scientologyhandbook.org
3. Pilar, M. (1999). The Code of Hammurabi. Recovered from clio.rediris.es

   Medieval Recreation. (2016).

4. The Cavalry: Its code and its origins. Recovered from recreationmedieval.com
5. Lujan, U. (2915). The most emblematic pre-Hispanic codices. Recovered from culturacolectiva.com
6. United States Constitution. On wikipedia. Accessed on June 11, 2018, from en.wikipedia.org.
7. Scientology. On wikipedia. Accessed on June 11, 2018, from en.wikipedia.org.