Subjective Morality

Abstract

Morality is real in a lot of ways. Culturally, morality is real, in that normativity and tradition are powerful forces guiding people’s behavior. The dramaturgical sociologist Erving Goffman held that people follow and allow others to follow certain behavioral strategies to “save face” when they have embarrassed themselves or done something uncouth. This “social graciousness” is every bit as moral as a debate over abortion or gay rights.