Legal Definitions - moral coercion

Definition: Conformity with recognized rules of correct conduct. The character of being virtuous, especially in sexual matters. A system of duties; ethics.

Examples:

• Private morality: A person's ideals, character, and private conduct, which are not valid governmental concerns if the individual is to be considered sovereign over body and mind and if the need to protect the individual's physical or moral well-being is insufficient to justify governmental intrusion.
• Public morality: The ideals or general moral beliefs of a society. The ideals or actions of an individual to the extent that they affect others.

Explanation: Morality refers to the principles and values that guide our behavior and decision-making. Private morality pertains to an individual's personal beliefs and actions that do not harm others and are not the government's concern. Public morality, on the other hand, refers to the moral beliefs and actions that affect others and are subject to societal norms and laws. For example, stealing is considered immoral in both private and public morality because it violates the principle of respecting others' property rights.