MORALITY AND DECISION-MAKING

Scruples

What do you do in the following situations?

Play the Game!

How did you choose?

Did you pick the “right” answer? The one that you felt would be chosen by most of the others?

Did you choose what benefited you the most?

http://bigthink.com/experts-corner/decisions-are-emotional-not-logical-the-neuroscience-behind-decision-making

What do you think about this logic vs. emotion argument?

Values

What are the underlying values behind our decisions? What’s important to us?

What happens when we make emotional decisions?

http://cogsci.uwaterloo.ca/Articles/Pages/how-to-decide.html (long, detailed article)

Pros – it’s quick and we’re more likely to follow through with our decision because we “like” it.

Cons – our decisions can be swayed by cravings, inaccurate information and we are unable to defend our position in a group. (eg. Scatagories)

Brené Brown

“The Power of Vulnerability” http://

www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability

Reflection: What is Brown talking about? Do you agree/disagree? How does this affect our decision-making?

What about a calculation?

1. Define the problem. 2. Identify the criteria, specifying the goals want to accomplish. 3. Weight the criteria, deciding the relative importance of the goals.4. Generate alternatives. 5. Rate each alternative on each criterion, assessing the extent to which each action would accomplish each goal. 6. Compute the optimal decision.

(Bazerman, 1994)

DECIDE Model

Define the topic or problem/issue. Explore the alternatives or options.

(What are your choices?) Check alternatives. (List pros and

cons for each alternative/option.) Identify possible solutions. (Pick the

best choices.) Decide and take action. (Make the

best choice.) Evaluate and revise.

How can we make better decisions?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201109/how-can-we-make-better-decisions

Complex decisions overrun our cognitive powers.

On the other hand, unconscious decision-making requires no cognitive resources, so task complexity doesn't degrade its effectiveness. That means, you can make hard decisions quite easily by going “with your gut”.

Gender plays a role in decision-making.

How can we make better decisions? (cont.)

Our emotions affect all our decisions Most decisions involved some kind of

reward we receive Poor decision-making can be a result of

dysfunctional brain activity or the impact of negative emotional states such as extreme anxiety.

(Lee, Salzman and Wang)

Thinking Ethically(Velasquez, et.al.)

When we analyze moral issues, we need to begin by informing ourselves: what are the facts?

Secondly, we need to appeal to values. What is important to us?

Definitions: Morality – “our” understanding of right and wrong

Ethics – the study of morality

Here are 5 different approaches to thinking ethically:

1. The Utilitarian Approach

Ethical actions provide the greatest balance of good over evil.

We strive to produce the greatest benefit with the least harm. (eg., risk one life to save 10)

2. The Rights Approach

Based on the idea that human dignity revolves around the concept of free choice.

Rights, such as the right to truth, privacy and even the rights of contracts must be respected.

Similarly, actions that violate individual rights would be considered wrong. (eg., stifling the right to free speech or freedom of the press)

3. The Fairness or Justice Approach

Does the action treat everyone in the same way, or does it show favouritism or discrimination?

(eg., speeding = ticket, not just warning)

4. The Common Good Approach

Our own good is linked to the good of the community; we are bound by common values and goals.

Common goods include affordable health care, public safety and a just legal system, for eg.

5. The Virtue Approach

What kind of people do we want to become? By pursuing virtues (character traits) we

develop habits that will shape us. Examples of virtues include honesty,

courage, and compassion. (source: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v7

n1/thinking.html )

(see website for hard copy – “Thinking Ethically”)

Are there Universal Values?

See article on Universal Values Read article, “Is Morality Natural?”

Theory of Moral Reasoning

Lawrence Kohlberg

http://www.simplypsychology.org/kohlberg.html

(good video and critique of the theory)

Criticisms of Kohlberg’s Theory

1. The dilemmas are artificial/hypothetical

2. The sample is biased 3. Poor research design 4. Evidence does not support stage

theory 5. Moral behavior is only partly a

question of moral reasoning

Stranded

“Stranded” – Based on a True Story

  After the plane crash, what are some important

decisions made by the survivors? Were they easy to make? How were they decided (by consensus, unilaterally, etc.)? Please discuss at least two decisions.

  The captain of the rugby team took responsibility

for the well being of his team by rationing food, assigning duties, etc. Using Kohlberg’s theory, what stage of moral reasoning is he at in deciding these things? Please explain your reasons.

 

The Reuben Option

1) What is the Reuben option? How does Reuben exemplify this option in the story of Joseph?

2) What is an example of the Reuben option in your own life? Please explain.

3) What personal qualities/characteristics are necessary to reject the Reuben option in the choices we make? Please list them and explain why these qualities are important. (please explain two)

4) According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning, what stage is Reuben at in his decision-making? Feel free to use your notes to help explain your answer.

Christian vs. Secular Ethics

What’s the difference? Rd. “Christian Ethics 101” (handout)

Sin (p. 26)

What are the Seven Deadly sins? (see handout) What Images of God do we have?

Sin (cont.)

What are your impressions of God? How do you picture God? How do you think these images were formed (who/what helped shape these impressions for you)? Have these images changed over time for you?

Yancey shares some sins from his life on p. 28. As a young person and student, what areas of your life are most vulnerable to sin?

Is there a hierarchy of sins? Are some sins worse than others? Why or why not?

Do you understand the Ten Commandments to be rules given for “our sake”? Why or why not? Please reflect on the discussion on p. 31-32.

What do you think of Yancey’s images of God described on p. 32? Can you relate to any of these images? Can you think of another image that might be more helpful?