What is Morality?

[NavarreMan 10]

I have been amazed by the various attitudes in these forums about moral issues, specifically which laws some will uphold and which they will ignore for some reason. I was hoping to find some tests online that people could take to see what kind of moral character they may have regarding how they feel about, well, illegal immigration. Alas, I could not find a test that gave specific legal scenarios to see what you might do in different situations.

It is not my intention for anyone to post their results here. It is only for the benefit of the individual taking the tests. You can take or leave these tests as you see fit.

Below are 4 tests that I found online. I did not "hand pick" them for any particular questions or the way they quantify their scores. I simply picked 4 at random from a Google search of "Morality Tests". I did try each test to ensure that the test actually works (not a dead link or joke test). Frankly there are a couple I would not recommend but it is still interesting and told me a little about myself that I did not know. Perhaps you might find them interesting as well.

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

[Ban Hammer 14,023]

test 1:

You scored 31.5 out of a total of 44.

Your score puts you in the mature category of social reasoning and the majority of people will have scores in this range. Thinking here transcends the practicalities of one's preferences and exchanges to an emphasis upon social feeling, caring and conduct.

You take into account the consequences of actions for other people, whether for benefit or harm, as a consideration in its own right for deciding how one should act towards others. You emphasise relationships, thinking how you might feel if you were on the receiving end. Empathy is important, as well as compassion.

You are likely to expect others to conform to normally expected conduct, reflecting on "common decency" and will think of the chaos caused by laws being broken. You will value, love and respect others, and appreciate some higher values, as well as speaking of the benefits of a clean conscience or pride.

now for test 2

[Ban Hammer 14,023]

2nd one:

You are 77% truly moral. Really.

Well, now, you're a pretty decent person. The kind of guy or gal I would trust to housesit...maybe. There's still a little bit of potential for taking the lower road in that mind of yours, maybe because sometimes you feel like you deserve something, maybe because you feel like the rules don't apply in some situations. Either way, you did good. This is actually where most people seem to wind up, which makes it a little easier for me to get out of bed in the morning. Anyway, have a cookie.

now for the 3rd

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I have been amazed by the various attitudes in these forums about moral issues, specifically which laws some will uphold and which they will ignore for some reason. I was hoping to find some tests online that people could take to see what kind of moral character they may have regarding how they feel about, well, illegal immigration. Alas, I could not find a test that gave specific legal scenarios to see what you might do in different situations.

It is not my intention for anyone to post their results here. It is only for the benefit of the individual taking the tests. You can take or leave these tests as you see fit.

Below are 4 tests that I found online. I did not "hand pick" them for any particular questions or the way they quantify their scores. I simply picked 4 at random from a Google search of "Morality Tests". I did try each test to ensure that the test actually works (not a dead link or joke test). Frankly there are a couple I would not recommend but it is still interesting and told me a little about myself that I did not know. Perhaps you might find them interesting as well.

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

This is an interesting subject for discussion - but if you're looking for a black and white split I'm not sure you're going to find one. I'll have a look at those tests tonight.

Also is it morality we're specifically talking about here or ethics? Both words get used interchangeably, but they do have different meanings.

Ethics and morals are respectively akin to theory and practice. Ethics denotes the theory of right action and the greater good, while morals indicate their practice. Moral has a dual meaning. The first indicates a person's comprehension of morality and his capacity to put it into practice. In this meaning, the antonym is "amoral", indicating an inability to distinguish between right and wrong. The second denotes the active practice of those values. In this sense, the contrary word is "immoral", referring to actions that violate ethical principles. Personal ethics signifies a moral code applicable to individuals, while social ethics means moral theory applied to groups. Social ethics can be synonymous with social and political philosophy, inasmuch as it is the foundation of a good society or state. Ethics is not limited to specific acts and defined moral codes, but encompasses the whole of moral ideals and behaviors, a person's philosophy of life (or Weltanschauung).

[jundp 191]

Interesting.

You scored a 41 out of 44

Your score puts you in the highest category of social reasoning. You will see ethical and moral values as important to the needs of society and will appeal to basic rights or values. You might say "Honesty is a standard which everyone should accept" or "Life is sacred."

Conformity to ethical norms is important to you, in terms of a responsibility, obligation or commitment for all individuals, although you may be willing to consider exceptions in some particular circumstances. You are likely to suggest that with entitlement or privilege comes responsibility.

You will appeal to considerations of responsible character or integrity in others, preferring a consistent or standard practice of behaviour in order to avoid damage to social institutions such as the legal system.

However, you will want to see an adjusted case-by-case application of standards for the sake of fairness to all people. Lastly, you are very likely to appeal to standards of individual or personal conscience, as well as of honour, dignity or integrity.

[Ban Hammer 14,023]

i didn't get any results for the 3rd. off to home, will do the 4th at home in a few hours.

[no name 1]

test 1:

You scored 33 out of a total of 44.

Your score puts you in the mature category of social reasoning and the majority of people will have scores in this range. Thinking here transcends the practicalities of one's preferences and exchanges to an emphasis upon social feeling, caring and conduct.

You take into account the consequences of actions for other people, whether for benefit or harm, as a consideration in its own right for deciding how one should act towards others. You emphasise relationships, thinking how you might feel if you were on the receiving end. Empathy is important, as well as compassion.

You are likely to expect others to conform to normally expected conduct, reflecting on "common decency" and will think of the chaos caused by laws being broken. You will value, love and respect others, and appreciate some higher values, as well as speaking of the benefits of a clean conscience or pride.

Test 2 is ####### (i had to give my blood to get answers):

are 75% truly moral. Really.

Well, now, you're a pretty decent person. The kind of guy or gal I would trust to housesit...maybe. There's still a little bit of potential for taking the lower road in that mind of yours, maybe because sometimes you feel like you deserve something, maybe because you feel like the rules don't apply in some situations. Either way, you did good. This is actually where most people seem to wind up, which makes it a little easier for me to get out of bed in the morning. Anyway, have a cookie.

Edited November 20, 2007 by devilette

[NavarreMan 10]

I wasn't looking for anything other than the original legal morality test I mentioned. I do not encourage anyone to post their results here.

There was a remark made in another thread that got me started on this. It was mentioned that whether or not an illegal immigrant was employed at your work site was none of someone’s business and then it was having your neighbor’s house broken into and that turned into not being a fair comparison etc. I got to thinking about where you draw the line. How closely does a crime have to personally affect you for it to become your business? I guess what I am asking is very much a gray area and will change from person to person.

To that end I posted this only for the education of the individual and really not as a subject to be debated or discussed, unless you think morality can be discussed here without becoming a free-for-all.

[polarbear 0]

test 1:

You scored 33 out of a total of 44.

Your score puts you in the mature category of social reasoning and the majority of people will have scores in this range. Thinking here transcends the practicalities of one's preferences and exchanges to an emphasis upon social feeling, caring and conduct.

You take into account the consequences of actions for other people, whether for benefit or harm, as a consideration in its own right for deciding how one should act towards others. You emphasise relationships, thinking how you might feel if you were on the receiving end. Empathy is important, as well as compassion.

You are likely to expect others to conform to normally expected conduct, reflecting on "common decency" and will think of the chaos caused by laws being broken. You will value, love and respect others, and appreciate some higher values, as well as speaking of the benefits of a clean conscience or pride.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wasn't looking for anything other than the original legal morality test I mentioned. I do not encourage anyone to post their results here.

There was a remark made in another thread that got me started on this. It was mentioned that whether or not an illegal immigrant was employed at your work site was none of someone’s business and then it was having your neighbor’s house broken into and that turned into not being a fair comparison etc. I got to thinking about where you draw the line. How closely does a crime have to personally affect you for it to become your business? I guess what I am asking is very much a gray area and will change from person to person.

To that end I posted this only for the education of the individual and really not as a subject to be debated or discussed, unless you think morality can be discussed here without becoming a free-for-all.

I'd hope we can discuss this without it devolving into the usual name-calling and "I didn't say that, how dare you" nonsense. I think we can and do draw a line on moral/ethical issues but as far as illegal immigration goes - I wonder why it is that the examples always have to be more, rather than less extreme. Its been said that illegal presence is akin to breaking and entering, assault, murder and any number of extreme criminal acts. Discounting the history of individuals who may or may not have a criminal record, I don't see the civil offense of being an illegal immigrant as synonymous with any violent criminal act. At all actually.

Its illegal (and wrong) to litter - would I report someone for doing it? Probably not. Or to clarify - twix wrapper or coke can = no. Asbestos being illegally dumped into a lake or river = absolutely.

Its illegal (and may or may not be wrong) to drink in certain public places - would I report someone I saw doing it? If they were being violent - sure. But otherwise probably not.

Everyone has a scale for what is personally acceptable and what is not. The laws don't always reflect that - and they certainly aren't a barometer of what is "moral".

I think most people - if they saw a crime being perpetrated (i.e. like a robbery) would call the police, rather than walk-on by and ignore it. To go from there to a guy minding his own business on the street (albeit when he's not supposed to be there) isn't exactly a fair or equivalent comparison. IMHO of course. I'm sure others feel differently - but then I think that has more to do with how emotionally charged this one issue has become...

Edited November 20, 2007 by Number 6

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Test 1....

You scored 37.5 out of a total of 44.

Your score puts you in the highest category of social reasoning. You will see ethical and moral values as important to the needs of society and will appeal to basic rights or values. You might say "Honesty is a standard which everyone should accept" or "Life is sacred."

Conformity to ethical norms is important to you, in terms of a responsibility, obligation or commitment for all individuals, although you may be willing to consider exceptions in some particular circumstances. You are likely to suggest that with entitlement or privilege comes responsibility.

You will appeal to considerations of responsible character or integrity in others, preferring a consistent or standard practice of behaviour in order to avoid damage to social institutions such as the legal system.

However, you will want to see an adjusted case-by-case application of standards for the sake of fairness to all people. Lastly, you are very likely to appeal to standards of individual or personal conscience, as well as of honour, dignity or integrity.

[pedroh 21]

morality is an old wooden ship

[one...two...tree 2,762]

morality is an old wooden ship

LOL

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

morality is an old wooden ship

LOL

Morality... It is a silly place.

[*JG* 2]

Test 1:

You scored 38 out of a total of 44.

Audience's Scores

1 % 1 % 32 % 66 %

0-11 12-22 23-33 34-44

My Results

Your score puts you in the highest category of social reasoning. You will see ethical and moral values as important to the needs of society and will appeal to basic rights or values. You might say "Honesty is a standard which everyone should accept" or "Life is sacred."

Conformity to ethical norms is important to you, in terms of a responsibility, obligation or commitment for all individuals, although you may be willing to consider exceptions in some particular circumstances. You are likely to suggest that with entitlement or privilege comes responsibility.

You will appeal to considerations of responsible character or integrity in others, preferring a consistent or standard practice of behaviour in order to avoid damage to social institutions such as the legal system.

However, you will want to see an adjusted case-by-case application of standards for the sake of fairness to all people. Lastly, you are very likely to appeal to standards of individual or personal conscience, as well as of honour, dignity or integrity.