Moral values are primarily concerned with which of the following?

• A. Our duties and actions
• B. Things we judge to be morally good, bad, praiseworthy, or blameworthy—character or motives
• C. The motives underlying actions
• D. Legal statutes

Answer: (C)

Morality centers on the reasons people have for acting—their motives. The moral worth of an action is judged by the underlying motivation, not merely by the visible act or by legal status. If the motive is compassionate or just, the action tends to be seen as morally good or praiseworthy; if the motive is selfish or harmful, the action can be blameworthy, even if the outward result is similar. Laws and duties describe what is permitted or required, but they don’t capture the moral reasons behind actions. While evaluating actions can involve considerations of duties or character, the core focus of moral values is the motives that drive behavior, which is why the best choice points to the underlying motives.