MODULE 7 : MORAL COURAGE

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Identify and understand moral courage.
2. Distinguish the similarities and difference of moral courage from other pro-social
behavior.
3. Determine and examine the factors which foster moral courage.
4. Understand will, its importance and how it will develop in order to strengthen
their own will.
5. Develop different pro-social behavior especially moral courage and demonstrate
it in all situation.

WHAT IS MORAL COURAGE?

Moral courage is a sub-type of pro-social behavior which intend to benefit
one or more persons. Kidder (2005) described moral courage as the "quality of mind
and spirit that enables one to face up to ethical dilemmas and moral wrongdoings
firmly and confidently, without flinching or retreating". Meaning, in moral courage,
there's always a concern with moral reasoning. Despite the possible risk of adverse
and negative consequences, people who choose to act morally courageous
disregard it. People who act morally courageous are those who has the guts to
address or confront moral wrongdoings and injustices in order to achieve harm-free
environment.
EXAMPLE:
Den saw his friend Jojo being bullied (Extortion) by five seniors. Concerning
his moral reasons, the society and Den believe that bullying is a form of moral
wrongdoing since it is not right to do so. Den will help his friend and ask for help.
Despite the risk that Den will be bullied (attacked and humiliated) as well, without
any doubt, he rescues his friend. In result, Den became responsible of his action and
considered as morally courageous.

In order to be morally courageous, Miller (2005) argued that the first step
towards being morally courageous is to be able to recognize that there is a moral
situation. It is upon this recognition that an "observer appeals to her moral intuitions,
values, principles, etc.". It is the matter being observant and giving concern with the
people around us. If there are moral concern that has been violated, a morally
courageous person must stand up and help to address the issue of morality

MORAL COURAGE AND OTHER PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS

Pro-social behavior is a broad range of actions which is intended to benefit one or
more people (Bierhoff, 2002). It only means that, pro-social behaviors establish a
good and positive trait that benefits one or the society. Pro-social behavior has 4 sub
concepts namely; moral courage, helping behavior, social control and heroism
HELPING BEHAVIOR
It is also a subtype of pro-social behavior, helping behavior and moral
courage are often similar because the victim needs some kind of help and you give
assistance to the victim. However, the positive consequence in helping behavior
differs it from moral courage. In the case of helping behavior, the participant can
expect a positive social consequence however, it does not mean that you will not
have negative consequence.

EXAMPLE:
Your classmate forgot his money and is already at school, after knowing his
problem, you immediately lend your classmate enough money for his food and
expenses for the whole day.

In this case, you gained his trust and acknowledgement however you lose
money and time in helping your classmate. There is no negative social consequence
but rather a positive social consequence and a negative consequence which is your
loss of time and money.

HEROISM
Heroism is taking risk on behalf of one or more people, despite the possibility
of dying or suffering serious physical consequences (Becker and Eagley, 2004).
Moral courage and heroism sometimes overlap when it comes to physical injuries.
Being a hero requires recognition, a hero also expects positive social social
consequence such as acknowledgement and admiration (Becker and Eagley, 2004).

EXAMPLE:
Dr. Jose Rizal, he died because of fighting the Spaniards for the freedom of
Filipinos, however, he did not fight physically but wrote the misconducts and the
wrong doings of the Spaniards and was sentenced to death after that, Rizal was
recognized as one of the heroes of the Philippines. Putting his life on the line, on
behalf of the people.

SOCIAL CONTROL
Social control is the intervention that criticizes uncivil and counter normative
behavior (Checkroun & Brauer, 2002). Uncivil behaviors are actions which decrease
the quality of life, for example; littering in the park, playing loud music in a public
vehicle, shouting in a public space, etc. The said behaviors are urban stressors
(Robin et al., 2004) but are not serious or dangerous. Social control serves to
maintain social norms for the quality of everyday life.

EXAMPLE:
When you see someone who is throwing his trashes everywhere, you will
approach that person and tell him it is not good to throw anywhere and that there is a
correct space for his garbage.
 Over all, moral courage differs from other pro-social behavior because of its
social cost. Most of the time, a person who show moral courage tend to receive more
negative social consequences compare to other pro-social behavior. Along with
heroism, moral courage is hard to exercise because people tend to be eaten by their
fears and doubts in most of cases. But it doesn't change the fact that there are still
some who are firm with their moral stand and aims to attain a harmless and peaceful
society to live in.

FACTORS THAT FOSTER MORAL COURAGE

1. Norms
Since moral courage is a pro-social behavior, Norms are considered as a
factor that establish it. According to Osswald et. al. (2010). When pro-social norms
are salient in people's mind, they are more likely to show moral courage despite of
possible negative social consequences. Meaning, the more a person practice pro-
social norm, for example to help, the higher the tendency for him/her to show moral
courage in every situation.
EXAMPLE:
Shai grew up being taught of not to disrespect, hurt or humiliate others. So,
whenever Shai saw someone being hurt by other people, she always intervenes or
call for a help. In that sense, her norms or acting pro socially strengthens her will to
be morally courageous at all times.

2. Anger
Sometimes, people's decision-making is being influence by their emotion. So,
when making decision it is inevitable not to show emotion towards specific situation.
The second and last factor which foster moral courage is anger. To clarify, an anger
that is associated with moral courage is not the typical anger that people feels. Anger
in relation to moral courage is what we call moral outrage. As stated by Osswald et.
al, (2010), when a person acts morally courageous, s/he is, in most cases, angry at a
perpetrator or s/he is upset because of injustice, violations of human dignity, etc. But
it doesn't mean that a person is angry towards another. Meaning, the feeling of being
anger with the injustices and unfairness that people feel strengthen the will of a
person to act morally courageous.

EXAMPLE:
Joyce was confronted by Salve and her gang. Salve announced that Joyce
stole his boyfriend in front of many audience. Salve called her slut, whore and etc.
Joyce felt degraded and humiliated then started to cry. Reena her friend saw what
happened and felt angry for her friend. Reena get Joyce and asked Salve and her
gang to stop and leave her alone. In return, Reena was slapped by salve then flew
away. In the situation, we can see that cause of moral outrage, Reena act morally
courageous by saving and helping her friend. It only implies that, the feeling of
injustice and violation of human dignity pushes a person to act morally courageous.
MORAL COURAGE AND WILL
According Shaub (2018), moral courage is the willingness to take a potentially
costly moral action simply because it is your duty to do so, or "the right thing to do." It
is acting in spite of the personal consequences because of the harm that can be
prevented or good provided to others. Moral courage is what turns moral judgment
into moral action. On the other hand, will refers to the choice which is made or a
determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of
choice. Furthermore, will doesn't directly refer to a desire of a person to act. Instead,
it pertains to the capacity of a person to act on that desire. So, in moral courage, will
is an important component together with moral reasons and decisions. But most of
the times, people failed to act morally courageous because they lacks will.
Oftentimes, they were eaten by they fear and doubts in a situation and the tendency
is not to perform morally courageous act even though they knew that it is the right
thing to do.
Having willingness and showing moral courage in every situation is the right
thing to do because it shows us that we are listening to our conscience and we are
executing morality and following the ethical standards set by the society. Showing
willingness and moral courage set us away from injustices, violations of human
dignity and discomfort and laziness on the side of the actor.
Over all, moral courage and will reminds us on our social responsibility and
our accountability to our own actions. It doesn't just benefit the society but also
ourselves. A person must not focus on the negative social consequences that he/she
might receive. Instead, he/she must look at the positive side that many will benefit
from acting pro-socially especially showing moral courage.

DEVELOPING THE WILL

The following are the suggested tips and steps to develop will and moral courage by
Jensen DG. Manebog (2013):

1. Develop and practice self-discipline

The concept of self-discipline is the rejection If instant pleasure for a greater
good. Developing self-discipline is like developing self control which includes
actions for moral improvement and success; persevering until it is accomplished.
For example, choosing to finish your assignments and tasks than watching
a movie.

2. Do mental strength training

One of the purpose on mental strength training involves declining unimportant
or unnecessary desires. Saying no to unnecessary pleasures and living on
contrary to the vices made by yourself but rather living a moral life with a moral
reason and moral decision. One example is resisting or avoiding gambles,
instead of betting your money that is against the law, you should rather
 use that money to buy essentials in living or even earn it for a better
reason

3. Draw inspiration from people with great courage

To practice and enhance our will, we have this what we call our exemplars that
shows a good quality of having a good courage and will that overcame
difficulties and hardships and made this as a tool to advance and enhance their
lives and became worthy for imitation. One great example is Jesus Christ, during
his time, there is this great bias against him and even after being hurt by the
people he still continued to do what is the right thing to do.

4. Repeatedly do acts that encourage moral courage and will

"Practice makes perfect" a good quotation that encompasses this statement.
Nurturing moral courage and will is through practicing it over and over again.
Example is doing your homework in your house without being commanded
or reminded by your parents.

5. Avoid deeds that show lack of moral courage and will

By practicing over and over again, it is normal to avoid things that disrupt this
practice. Avoiding deeds that show lack of moral courage and will means
avoiding the characteristics of being irresponsible, coward, apathetic etc.
Example of deeds that shows lack of moral courage and will is helping
someone in need, even if you have the ability to help, you remained silent
and ignored the right thing to do.

References:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/moral
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/moralcourage
De Guzman J.M., and Peña (2016). Culture in Moral Behavior. Ethics, Principles of Ethical Behavior
in Modern Society.
Dellomos, Carl., and Enriquez (2019). Moral Courage, Ethics,. Jimczyville Publication