Ethical decision paper

Philosophers,

The point of the Scott B. Rae 7-Step Model for Moral Decision Making is to give you a helpful tool to use the rest of your life. What is great about it is that it will work with whatever values and principles you hold and it will help you be creative in brainstorming alternatives. Many HUGE mistakes are made because people assume there are only two options when there are, in reality, ten different alternatives. We lack creativity in stressful situations. So, the more we use this model and get familiar with our own moral principles. And, for me, as a Christian, I need to go dig up Biblical principles and research Scripture sometimes to see what moral principles might pertain to my particular situation. For Christians, there are thousands of moral principles in what they think is information from God on how to live. Unfortunately, most of us Christians think there are just ten (the ten commandments) and we do not know this source of moral, guiding principles very well. Anyhow, this is what I need to do when exploring issues.

I used this paper structure to make two big decisions this fall in a particular relationship, and I ran through it in my mind in a situation at Christmas with a family member. You may never use it again, or you may use it a lot.

Remember, the decision has to be a TOUGH one where you aren't 90% sure of what you need to do.

Christopher (30 Jan 2012)

Philosophers,

Someone, somewhere is crossing or trying to cross one of your defining boundaries. Think about where this is happening in your life. Defining boundaries are the “property lines” that say where we begin and where we end as individuals. When we enter into any kind of relationship at school, work, romance, family, etc. we have to set up defining boundaries to protect ourselves and others.

I will give you some of my boundaries that I (try to) set with women I date: I go to church once a week for service, and I serve in a teaching role regularly. I visit my 98-year-old grandmother 2-4 times a week. I work out 2-6 times a week. I need time with my male friends regularly. I spend time with my girlfriend’s family. I like my girlfriend to spend time with my family. I go on a vacation with my family (aunts, uncles, cousins) once a year. I travel at least once a year alone or with family and girlfriend. I will wait until our lives are historically intertwined forever in a commitment before “getting it on.” When we disagree, I must be respectful to you and you must be respectful to me.

Now, I have different boundaries in the different roles I have. I live near the University of Cincinnati, and I have neighbors that I have boundaries with regarding noise, parking cars, etc. At school, I have boundaries with my boss and with the administration and with students. On the highway, I have boundaries (enforced by traffic laws) and at the coffee shops and bars I have social boundaries that need to be respected.

We are always modifying our boundaries as we get to know ourselves. We learned both good boundaries and bad boundaries from our parents. One girl I dated adopted the worst boundary habits from her parents and it was a continual struggle to define my boundaries for her since she was always hurt when I put up a boundary. Her mother always agreed that she should feel the way she felt when I set up my healthy boundaries to protect myself, so we never made progress.

In his book, Beyond Boundaries, John Townsend defines another type of temporary boundary as a “protective boundary.” These are boundaries that can be removed over time (unlike defining boundaries). “I will lend you money if you get a job,” or “We can spend time together if you do not demean me and put me down or disrespect me in front of others.” Papers that explore putting up protective boundaries, or explore the potential removal of protective boundaries are really good.

If you are at a loss, I would get a book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend that deals with boundaries: (1) Boundaries; (2) Boundaries in Dating, or Boundaries in Marriage or Boundaries with Kids; and (3) Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships; (4) Necessary Endings; or (5) Changes That Heal. After you start reading about the different cases in these books, a paper topic will jump to your mind. Someone somewhere is stepping on your boundaries whether it is a parent, spouse, child, neighbor, friend, or boss. Also, all of us are stepping over the boundaries of others. We need to figure out those issues as well and be protectors of others’ boundaries. It is a two-way street.

Cloud and Townsend are Christian Theists, but I have friends who are skeptics and atheists who love the books anyway. Ignore the Biblical principles. Personally, I think they are evidence that God revealed truths to the writers of the books of the Bible, but my skeptic friends think they are just common-sense principles that any sage or wise man could discover. Regardless, these guys give case after case of real life examples to argue their points.

Christopher (December 2011)

Philosophers,

You may write paper #1 on any tough situation in your life where you are not sure what choice you should make.

"Dilemma" implies only two choices. Usually there are ten in any given situation (and this lack of creativity is a big problem in moral decision-making), and people have blinders for psychological reasons.

This decision-making model will help you brainstorm and see what creative alternatives exist that fit with your top moral principles/values.