what is moral status?

Answer 1

Moral status is a measure of conformity within a given system of morality. A high degree of conformity gives one high moral status, and means that, in general, one engages in activities prescribed by that system, and avoids activities prohibited in that system. Low moral status entails the opposite. Likewise, high moral status within one system, such as a Catholic type of ethics, does not entail high moral status within another system, such as a Buddhist variety of ethics. Judging many Catholic saints and popes by the standards of certain Buddhist ethics, they would be found wanting, and have very low moral status. A Buddhist saint, such as Drukpa Kunleg, would have very low moral status according to the standards of most normative Catholic systems of ethics. Some moral systems, such as most Christian ethics, apply exclusively to humans. Others, such as standard Buddhist ethics, apply to all sentient beings without exception. Therefore an animal cannot have high moral status with Christian systems, but within Buddhist systems, animals can have high moral status. Other than Christian and Buddhist systems, there are innumerable other systems of ethics, both religious and secular in this world. Even within Christian and Buddhist traditions, there are great varieties of ethical systems, each with differing standards of moral status, and different interpretions of those standards. Thank you for your question.

Answer 2

Moral Status: The standing of an object with regard to the duties owed directly to it. ...

Answer 3

where you stand on a situation morally? Do animals have a moral status?