UNIT 3: THE MORAL ACTION

TOPIC 1: FEELINGS AND MORAL DECISION-MAKING

Introduction
When people decide at the height of their emotions, decisions that are made are most
likely to be subjective or biased. If one is mad, hurt, depressed or going through a
painful experience, one’s decisions may not be the most appropriate ones as they are
clouded with strong emotional nuances and tend to lack objectivity. When one is at the
height of one’s rage, one does not even think of making a well-considered decision
but act upon it immediately without considering the consequences of the action.
People end up having more complicated problems having not considered first where
their actions may lead to.

The topic deals with emotion and moral decision-making. Should one disregard one’s
emotion or emotions when taking a stance? Should an individual be pathetic so that
decisions arrived at are wise and objective? Let us consider below some ideas
concerning this intriguing topic on emotion and moral decision-making situations.

Emotions and being rational

The rationalistic point of view that emotion has no place in moral decision needs to be
examined. No person has the capacity to be unaffected or separate himself or herself
completely from one’s feelings or emotions. Psychologically, it is a condition that is not
possible because individuals experience the situations of their life in all its dimensions
– as a rational being, as a feeling being, as a social being, as a religious being and
more. And as such these dimensions can never be compartmentalized or segregated
from each other and experience one and put aside the others. One dimension may
dominate the others but they can never be completely erased or neglected during a
particular experience. Where there is a need to make moral decisions, it is impossible
to purge the individual of one’s feelings or emotions that may derail him or her from
making the most appropriate one. After all, human beings are not robots.
Bulaong Jr. et al., (2018) suggests citing the ideas of Aristotle that moral virtue is far
beyond the pure and simple act of intellectually determining the right thing to do. Moral
virtue is the character of the person through which a moral agent is able to have control
over one’s emotions or feelings. Aristotle does not suggest the elimination of feelings
but the cultivation of one’s character at the basis of learning how to be able to control
them.

All these tell us that the human being is intellectual as much as emotional. Being a
human being is to have both the rational and emotional. Aristotle proposed that
decisions or moral virtues are arrived at by the mature moral agent because of
habitually managing one’s emotions in the rightful manner. Hence, the responsible
moral agent accepts that feelings can not be put aside as they will always be there.
But what is necessary so that they will not detract anyone from making an informed
moral decision is learning how to cultivate them so that one’s emotional life does not
remain in the pre-conventional level in which self-interest is the motivation of decision
making. It should be noted that the cultivation of one’s character is a process of
continuous habit of doing what is right. It is not therefore, a result of an overnight and
single attempt but really of a prolonged endeavor to train one’s reaction to situations
to arrive to what is called character. Managing one’s emotions and feelings would
require every individual this process until the individual has attained a mature moral
character.

Summary
Emotions can easily prompt individuals to make decisions based on their prevailing
emotional state. Emotions have value in moral decision-making but knowing how to
control it would be essential in order to make the rightful decisions by habitually doing
what is right. By practicing something it evolves as the moral agent’s character or
natural manner in dealing with situations. Knowledge is one aspect and managing
one’s emotions through character is the other ingredient honored by responsible moral
agents
TOPIC 2: THE 7-STEP MORAL REASONING MODEL

Introduction
Making decision may not be easy. People change their decisions now and then. They
vacillate in their stance unsure about the right thing to do. This is usually the case
when facts and ideas about certain issues are unclear. Furthermore, people’s
decisions about certain issues get more confused because of their knowledge about
the people to be affected by their decisions. Whether right or wrong, they seem to
favor more those close to them and are quite harsh and unforgiving to those they have
less knowledge about. Decisions do not seem to depend on the issue but rather on
the people involved. In fact, decisions are all the more biased and subjective when the
persons who are supposed to decide are themselves involved in the issue. They are
more concerned about saving their skin even if the responsibility for certain errors are
theirs and definitely have less or no consideration at all to other parties involved even
if they are right. People obstinately insist only on their rights, privileges and interests
but are not fair toward others’ legitimate demands and interests.

How can people arrive at a more objective and right decisions? Even when people are
up to what is legitimate and acceptable decision for everyone, it looks like decisions
made are not always the way everybody wants them to be. Something always escapes
and remains unattended. The topic might help people in their quest for a more
objective, fair and rightful solutions to issues affecting their lives.

The 7-step reasoning model

How does one arrive at an acceptable and right moral decision? The following steps
are suggested as guides in making moral decision which is called the Seven (7) Step
Moral Reasoning Model.

1. State the problem. Gather the facts.

Before any decision, it is important that decision makers have in their
possession all the necessary facts and data concerning an issue. Decisions are
based on facts and not on opinions or hearsay. Facts and data clarify the issues
that need to be resolved. When facts are incomplete a definite resolution to a
problem may not be reached. The acceptability of a solution to a problem or
issue will depend on the completeness of facts and evidences.

2. Check the facts. Determine the ethical issue (Is it moral if …).
In the second step, it is necessary to determine the ethical issue. In other words,
what is the problem about? It is a point of clarifying and distinguishing whether
a situation demands moral valuation or not. Some issues do not really qualify
to be considered a moral or ethical issue. When I have to decide about the time
I should eat my breakfast or, when I have to decide whether I have to study for
tomorrow’s examination in my Physics class do not necessarily require
deliberate moral decision. But when contemplating to secretly sell a family
property without the knowledge of the other members is an example of a
situation in which a moral valuation is called for. Here, I have to ask myself
whether my intention to sell the family property is ethical or unethical. Is it the
right thing to do even if I have important needs to address?

3. What principles have a bearing on the case? Identify relevant factors.

In the case mentioned above about secretly selling a family property, I should
consider the principles that would be violated by my decision. It is dishonest to
sell a common property without the knowledge of my co-owners. I am violating
the principle that I should be honest at all times. Furthermore, my intention
violates the principles about private properties owned by others. My intention
violates at least two principles. In the example, there are principles that have a
bearing on the intention to secretly sell a communal property and these
principles tell us about some irregularities, ethically speaking.

4. List down the alternatives. Develop a list of options.

Finding a solution to a moral issue may involve several alternatives. Again, in
the example above about selling the family property secretly, this may not be
the only solution to a financial crisis. Other alternatives may be possible like
asking the other co-owners to buy themselves my own share in the property.
Or, maybe, if I have an existing problem in which considerable amount of
money is involved, it is possible that I can have recourse to the generosity of
my siblings. They may not be the only alternatives found, others may still be
possible. Should my siblings and other members of the family know my
situation; they might be able to offer better alternatives other than those I know.
By listing down possible alternatives to resolve a problem, I have created
several or a few possibilities from which I can choose a more feasible
alternative.

5. Compare the alternatives with principles. Test the options.

It would be interesting to compare the different alternatives. This involves the
examination of the different alternatives analyzing their advantages and
disadvantages. It would also require finding which of the alternatives would
violate less the identified principles with bearing on the issue. An alternative
solution that does not violate any principle would normally be the recommended
one.

6. Assess the consequences. Make a choice.

Having identified the different alternatives, the next step to be undertaken would
be the evaluation of the possible consequences of the different alternatives.
Which among the choices would bring about the most benefits? In the
assessment of the consequences, it is suggested that the moral agent consider
at least the minimum requirement in making a moral decision, referred to as
reason and impartiality. Hence, the task is to consider not only the benefits that
could be derived by the moral agent himself or herself but also those that would
benefit all individuals to be affected by the moral decision. Again, it is important
that the moral agent does not only look at his or her interests but also giving fair
consideration to the interest of all the people affected by the decision.

7. Make a decision (Review steps 1-6).

The last and final step involved would be to make a decision. A responsible and
conscientious moral agent knows that a morally acceptable decision is well
discerned and has considered all possible consequences and the interest of
everybody to be affected by it.

Note: For more readings on this topic, & Step Method for Ethical Decision Making,
contact Center for the study of Ethics in the Professions. Illinois Institute of Technology
CSEP @IIT .EDU.312.567. 3017.Copy right. Seven Step Method for Ethical Decision
Making, Michael Davis, 2013.

Summary
A disorganized and unsystematic way of dealing with situations like problems, or in
this case an ethical issue, would lead us to nowhere. To be able to systematically
address a situation, there is a need to work with a certain framework or model or at
least a guide. The 7-step reasoning model is precisely a guide in making a moral
decision.