Comprehension
A thought-provoking book titled The Morality of Law by Lon L. Fuller on moral philosophy insists on a distinction between “morality of aspiration” and “morality of duty”. From the view of the morality of aspiration, human conduct does not bear on mandatory rules but on conceptions of the “Good Life”, of “what beseems a human being functioning at his best to human capacities”. Because no law can compel a man to live up to the excellence of which he is capable. But for workable standards of judgment, the morality of duty lays down the basic rules without which an ordered society directed towards certain specific goals must fail of its mark.

Because the duty ties it very closely to what is “rationally discoverable” and “objective”, as contrasted with the morality of aspiration based on subjectivism. However, moralists may differ as to what range of conduct should fall within the respective spheres of duty and the morality of aspirations. “When we are passing a judgment of moral duty, it seems absurd to say that such a duty can in some way flow directly from knowledge of a situation of fact.” Due to the fact that before we conclude “that a duty ought to exist”, however well we may understand the facts, by the close connection between understanding a person's ideals, approval and disapproval, it is clear that duties are not purely matters of preference.

Does this mean that duties are rationally discoverable, and a matter of choice, even if not of “ineffable preference”? Presumably not, since when we pass a moral judgment of duty, it “ought” to exist. It is necessary to distinguish between the accepted morality of a social group and the personal morality of individuals. “Duty” may appear in all of these, but the satisfaction is very often a matter of degree varying from situation to situation.

The rule of a morality of duty is necessary for social living. The morality of aspiration provides a general idea of the perfection we ought to acquire. If we consider the whole range of moral issues, we may imagine a yardstick which begins at the bottom with the most obvious demands of social living and extends upward to the highest reaches of human aspirations. Somewhere along this scale an invisible pointer marks the dividing line where the pressure of duty leaves off and the challenge of excellence begins.

The whole field of moral argument is an undeclared war over the location of this pointer. Those we regard as being moralistic are always trying to inch the pointer upward so as to expand the area of duty, bludgeoning us into a belief that we are duty bound to embrace this pattern of human conduct, instead of making us realize a pattern of life they consider worthy of human nature.
Question: 1

Which of the following statements regarding the ‘morality of aspiration’ is untrue?

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Remember: Morality of Duty = minimum standards for society; Morality of Aspiration = striving for human excellence.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • The morality of aspiration is based on inevitable rules for ordered social living.
  • The morality of aspiration impulses towards perfection and excellence.
  • The law cannot regulate the morality of aspiration because it is subjective in nature.
  • The law cannot compel a man to adhere to the best of his human capabilities.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding “morality of aspiration”.
According to Lon L. Fuller, the morality of aspiration is not about mandatory rules but about ideals — the “good life” and striving towards human excellence. It is aspirational, subjective, and not enforceable by law.
Step 2: Why option (A) is incorrect.
“Inevitable rules for ordered social living” refers to the morality of duty, not the morality of aspiration. The morality of aspiration is about perfection and ideals, not basic mandatory social rules.
Step 3: Verifying other options.
- (B) True — aspiration aims at perfection and excellence.
- (C) True — it is subjective, hence beyond law’s regulation.
- (D) True — law cannot compel excellence.
\[ \boxed{\text{A}} \]
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Question: 2

The rules for morality of duty command:

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Morality of Duty is about the bare minimum to keep society functioning — it is the legal “floor” of moral obligation.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • To conduct best to human capacity.
  • To conduct necessary for self-survival.
  • To conduct equally as others’ conduct.
  • To conduct necessary for social living.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding “morality of duty”.
Fuller describes the morality of duty as the basic minimum rules without which an ordered society cannot function. These are enforceable and form the foundation for social living.
Step 2: Matching with the options.
- (A) Best to human capacity → morality of aspiration, not duty.
- (B) Self-survival → too narrow, not the societal focus.
- (C) Equal conduct → fairness-related but not the core definition.
- (D) Necessary for social living → matches Fuller’s definition exactly.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, morality of duty lays down the rules essential for maintaining social order.
\[ \boxed{\text{D}} \]
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Question: 3

Consider the statements: (I) The moralistic philosophy always strives to encroach into the area of morality of aspiration to bring it as duty for the social living.
(II) The moralistic philosophers compel us to embrace the pattern of human conduct, instead of making us realize a pattern of life that is worthy of human nature.
Choose the correct answer from the code given below.

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Fuller warns against forcing ideals of excellence into the legal sphere of enforceable duties.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • Both (I) and (II) are true.
  • Both (I) and (II) are untrue.
  • (I) is true and (II) is untrue.
  • (II) is true and (I) is untrue.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Linking with Fuller’s theory.
Fuller’s discussion in The Morality of Law describes “moralistic philosophy” as attempting to expand the sphere of duty into areas traditionally left for aspiration. It seeks to impose certain patterns of conduct as obligations.
Step 2: Verifying statement (I).
This matches Fuller’s observation that moralists try to shift the “pointer” upward, converting aspirational goals into obligatory duties.
Step 3: Verifying statement (II).
Also correct — moralists compel people to follow a conduct pattern they deem ideal, rather than letting individuals pursue excellence freely.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Both statements reflect Fuller’s critique accurately.
\[ \boxed{\text{A}} \]
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Question: 4

Which of the following element is not required for the formation of decision regarding a moral duty?

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Moral duties require objective and rational judgment, not personal subjective views.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • Rationality
  • Objectivity
  • Subjectivity
  • Knowledge regarding the circumstances
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Decision-making for moral duty.
Fuller’s concept of moral duty is rooted in rational, objective standards, grounded in facts and social requirements.
Step 2: Eliminating options.
- Rationality: Needed to assess obligations logically.
- Objectivity: Ensures fairness and universality.
- Knowledge of circumstances: Necessary for applying duty to specific cases.
Step 3: Why subjectivity is excluded.
Subjectivity is associated with personal preference and aspiration, not enforceable duty.
\[ \boxed{\text{C}} \]
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Question: 5

The concept of duty as characterised by Lon L. Fuller seems:

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Fuller’s “duty” is adaptable — it changes as society’s moral expectations evolve.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • Dynamic
  • Static
  • Personal
  • Fictional
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Fuller’s approach to duty.
Duty evolves with social needs and moral expectations; it is not fixed. The dividing line between duty and aspiration can shift over time.
Step 2: Why dynamic fits.
Since the “pointer” between duty and aspiration can move, duty changes in response to societal developments.
\[ \boxed{\text{A}} \]
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Question: 6

Which of the following statements is not true?

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“Morality of Duty” = compulsory minimum standards; “Morality of Aspiration” = voluntary pursuit of excellence.
Updated On: Aug 17, 2025
  • ‘Morality of duty’ is non-obligatory.
  • ‘Morality of duty’ is obligatory.
  • Rules of ‘morality of aspiration’ are a challenge to human conduct.
  • Human excellence is the end of ‘morality of aspiration’.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the false statement.
Morality of duty is by definition obligatory — it sets minimum conduct standards required for social order. Calling it “non-obligatory” is incorrect.
Step 2: Checking other statements.
- (B) Correct — morality of duty is indeed obligatory.
- (C) Correct — aspiration challenges human conduct towards excellence.
- (D) Correct — human excellence is the ultimate aim of aspiration.
\[ \boxed{\text{A}} \]
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