The 3 Domains of VIRTU3

Human behaviors may be judged from three separate and equally valid domains. These domains are categorically distinct and each must be considered to get a full picture of the virtue/vice of a given behavior.

The Moral Domain

Moral behaviors are motivated by good intentions. The most basic example of moral intentions is wanting yourself and others to find lasting happiness.

Immoral behaviors are motivated by bad intentions. The most basic example of immoral intentions is wanting yourself or others to find existential despair.

Moral judgments precede behavior. They are applicable only to what's going on in the mind of a specific individual. Moral judgments focus on the intentions that lead to human behaviors. They are future-oriented, idealistic judgments.

The Ethical Domain

Ethical behaviors conform to the code of conduct appropriate to mindful selves. The most basic example of ethical action is the act of argumentation. Each participant respects, at a bare minimum, the right of all other participants to agree to disagree.

Unethical behaviors violate the code of conduct appropriate to mindful selves. The most basic example of immoral action is enslavement. One person is willing to use force up to and including summary execution to induce another person to obey.

Ethical judgments are made of behavior as it occurs. They are applicable only to specific actions of specific individuals. Ethical judgments focus on the procedural norms for human behavior. They are present-oriented, rational judgments.

The Consequential Domain

Creative behaviors yield positive results. The most basic example of creative outcomes is expanding the supply of basic necessities (food/water/shelter) for yourself and others.

Destructive behaviors yield negative results. The most basic example of destructive outcomes is wastefully reducing the supply of basic necessities (food/water/shelter) for yourself or others.

Consequential judgments are made of outcomes after the fact. They are applicable to the results of the actions of one or more individuals. Consequential judgments focus on the observed results of human behavior. They are past-oriented, utilitarian judgments.