A moral judgment is a judgment based upon ethics. Ethics is a branch of moral philosophy. Emotion characterizes a moral judgments. Religion also characterizes moral judgments. Moral judgments differ from other judgments because reason cannot be applied to them.
Emotion is a major factor that characterizes a moral judgment. It is the guideline for an ethical egoist. An ethical egoist is someone who behaves in such a way that creates the best long-term results for that individual. The ethical egoist uses emotion to determine what the long-term best result(s) is. For example, a moral rule used my many individuals is treat others as you want to be treated. People who follow this rule are ethical egoists. They treat others as they want to be treated because they do not want that person to mistreat them in the future. Emotion is also used in this principle. Most individuals are good people who do not want to inflict pain or suffering upon others. They do not mistreat other because not only want to treated nicely in return, but they do not want to harm that individual. .
Altruists are the opposite of ethical egoists. They still use emotion in their moral judgments though. An altruist is someone who "sacrifices" him/herself in the interest of others. This individual uses emotion to a greater extent then the ethical egoist. The ethical egoist, hence the name puts himself first in line to be waited upon, and everyone else comes after him. He still thinks of others however. An altruist uses more emotion, meaning that he/she is more considerate to others than themselves. For example, one who gives up his seat on the bus to an elderly individual is an altruist because he is sacrificing himself in the interest of the elderly person. .
Emotion is used very widely in Western Civilization as a guideline for moral judgments. In the majority of Western countries, it is thought that killing is wrong. This is because of emotional bonds people have with individuals.
