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Moral Licensing

EuanF

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on my own personal morals and ethics. In doing this I've came across the concept of "moral Licensing". This is essentially a psychological phenomenon in where we use the knowledge of previous moral behaviour or actions to almost excuse and allow us to engage in morally questionable or straight up immoral acts without the full acknowledgement in lowering of our own moral standing. 

Unfortunately, in reflecting on a lot of my previous personal behaviours I can see so many times I have been caught in this. Using moral behaviour that I have presented in public to perhaps ignore or not truly acknowledge the impact of my immoral behaviour when on my own or in private. It's incredibly disappointing and honestly brings up a lot of feelings of shame. However, I do believe that genuine reflection and understanding of these things is the only way we can change going forward and be better people.  

Has anyone else had times in their life that, on reflection, might have involved the use of this moral licensing? And if so, do you feel you have taken important lessons from acknowledging it?

Parents

  • Being a traditional Irish Catholic Patriot living 21 years in the U.K., I take my moral guidance on moral and ethical questions from the Eternal Teachings of the Catholic Church pre-Vatican II - if I come across any ethical or moral questions or dilemmas, I usually pass these onto my spiritual director and/or those theologians (Priests, Friars & Nuns) who are well versed in Canon Law - we must also remember that in those times in the past where there was no such thing as psychology, etc, one’s only point of reference was the Church and its teachings, which on balance, looking at these many issues rationally and logically, was (and is) a good thing - over several years and especially during Covid, I’ve gradually become more convinced than ever that a return to traditional Catholic moral and social values is both essential and is vital for the continued survival of western civilisation, even though I was born into Vatican II and am an older Irish gay man, generally out as gay to everyone - I’ve also come to realise that the concept of moral relativism is a bad thing where it contradicts Traditional Catholic Social Teachings, such as in the sexual and social revolution of the 1960’s 

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  • Being a traditional Irish Catholic Patriot living 21 years in the U.K., I take my moral guidance on moral and ethical questions from the Eternal Teachings of the Catholic Church pre-Vatican II - if I come across any ethical or moral questions or dilemmas, I usually pass these onto my spiritual director and/or those theologians (Priests, Friars & Nuns) who are well versed in Canon Law - we must also remember that in those times in the past where there was no such thing as psychology, etc, one’s only point of reference was the Church and its teachings, which on balance, looking at these many issues rationally and logically, was (and is) a good thing - over several years and especially during Covid, I’ve gradually become more convinced than ever that a return to traditional Catholic moral and social values is both essential and is vital for the continued survival of western civilisation, even though I was born into Vatican II and am an older Irish gay man, generally out as gay to everyone - I’ve also come to realise that the concept of moral relativism is a bad thing where it contradicts Traditional Catholic Social Teachings, such as in the sexual and social revolution of the 1960’s 

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