5 - Higher-Level Moral Obligations

Summary

Moral soundness in our behavior requires more than conformity to the principles described in Chapter 4. This is above all because it requires moral conduct and not just the deeds those principles call for. There are two obligations that are higher level than those described in Chapter 4 in ranging over all the types those principles concern. One posits an obligation to preserve and promote liberty; the other posits an obligation to do the deeds morality calls for respectfully – in a morally appropriate manner. Like the liberty obligation, it is immensely comprehensive and extends to all interpersonal action. This chapter describes these higher-level obligations. To clarify them, the chapter pursues two major moral questions: the scope-question of what range of deeds are discretionary – not obligatory and within our freedom of choice – and the adverbial how-question of what manners of doing what we do are morally appropriate in the relevant contexts.