Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Methods of moral decision-making

In the film El Crimen del Padre Amaro a woman comically describes one of her thought-action combinations to a priest and asks him, "¿Es pecado?"
Moral dilemmas occur in our lives but I think it's a mistake to just ask someone and accept his judgment. Each person's views are shaped by his or experiences and there's no reason to assume someone is morally superior to you. I'd even say accepting ethics from on down is in a sense an abdication of the better method.
The better method is to investigate the moral dimensions of the matter on your own, considering a variety of perspectives. You shouldn't think you're morally superior to others but rather try to view the situation apart from yourself. However, this is just one idea; self-interest is no crime and self-regard is actually important. In the end, after examining different perspectives, you can be secure that you know what's best for you as you have the most experience in being you.
Acceptance of uncertainty is fine, if in a certain issue different perspectives seem equally persuasive neutrality is fine, although you shouldn't give up examining perspectives as yours may change before you know it.
In some minor/personal matters, following instinct is a fine idea, but even what those matters are are influenced by individual perspective.

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