Its not a moral issue.Its a professional one.Manual flying shouldnt prejudice SA and if it does,then you need to improve it by doing more of it.
Good posts from ssg and Tee Emm.
Laziness is part of it,sure.But fear is also part of the equation.And why is there fear?They're pilots for chrissakes.They're afraid because we live in a world of automation and computer junkies and gutless CP's and they've never had the chance to practice and perfect their profession.When you can derive SA quicker from an HSI than a GPS or enter a teardrop hold using only the RMI or fly to minima on the standby instruments without blinking an eye,then you can engage the AP and not until.Old fashioned?Nope,thats the job until someone says otherwise.