Rae's 7-Step Moral Reasoning Model

Language and Ideas

14 Apr 202207:03

Summary

TLDRThe video script introduces Scott Peck's seven-step moral reasoning model, designed to guide individuals through moral dilemmas by asking the right questions. It emphasizes gathering facts, identifying ethical issues, determining relevant values and principles, listing alternatives, comparing them with moral standards, considering consequences, and making a decision. The model is impartial and considers moral values with consequences as a supporting role, making it a versatile tool for ethical deliberation.

Takeaways

📚 The Seven-Step Moral Reasoning Model was developed by Scott Peck, an American theologian and Christian ethics professor, to guide ethical decision-making in moral dilemmas.
🎓 The model was introduced in Peck's 1995 book 'Moral Choices and Introduction to Ethics' and is designed to encourage the right questions rather than providing a single 'correct' answer.
🌐 The model is consistent with biblical principles but is not exclusively Christian; it is impartial and free from cultural, ethnic, and religious biases.
🧐 The model focuses on moral values and principles, with consequences playing a supporting role, especially in complex moral issues like medical cases.
🔍 Step One: Gather all relevant facts to establish an objective perspective on the moral dilemma.
🤔 Step Two: Identify the competing interests and underlying moral values and principles that cause the tension in the dilemma.
📝 Step Three: Determine the moral values and principles that are central to the dilemma and consider their weight and source.
🛠️ Step Four: List all possible actions or alternatives that could address the dilemma, expanding the range of choices.
⚖️ Step Five: Compare the remaining alternatives against the moral values and principles to eliminate those that do not align.
🤷‍♂️ Step Six: If no clear course of action emerges, consider the positive and negative consequences of the remaining alternatives.
🏁 Step Seven: Make a decision, acknowledging that moral decisions, especially in dilemmas, are rarely without difficulty or negative consequences.
🔄 The model encourages a systematic approach to moral decision-making, promoting a more thorough and thoughtful process.

Q & A

Who developed the seven-step moral reasoning model?
-The seven-step moral reasoning model was developed by Scott Peck, an American theologian and Christian ethics professor.
In what year was the seven-step moral reasoning model originally proposed?
-The model was originally proposed in 1995 in Scott Peck's book 'Moral Choices and Introduction to Ethics'.
What is the primary purpose of the seven-step moral reasoning model?
-The primary purpose of the model is to help people ask the right questions in their ethical deliberation rather than to get them to the right answer.
Is the seven-step moral reasoning model exclusive to any particular religion or culture?
-No, the model is impartial and free from cultural, ethnic, and religious biases, although it is consistent with the Bible and uses biblical principles.
What is the focus of the seven-step moral reasoning model when addressing moral issues?
-The model is oriented primarily towards moral values and principles, with consideration of consequences as a supporting role.
What is the first step in addressing moral dilemmas according to the seven-step model?
-The first step is to gather all the relevant facts of the dilemma to get a more objective perspective.
What is the purpose of step two in the model?
-Step two is to identify the competing interests in the dilemma and its underlying moral values and principles.
What does step three of the model involve?
-Step three involves determining the moral values and principles that have a bearing on the case and assessing if some should be given more weight than others.
What is the goal of step four in the seven-step model?
-The goal of step four is to determine all possible actions one can take for the dilemma, expanding the choice of actions.
How does step five of the model help in making a moral decision?
-Step five tests the remaining alternatives by weighing them against the moral values and principles involved in the dilemma.
What should one do if the dilemma is not resolved after step five?
-If the dilemma is not resolved, one should consider the possible consequences of the remaining alternatives in step six and then make a decision in step seven.
What is the final step in the seven-step moral reasoning model and why is it important?
-The final step is to make a decision, which is important because it requires one to choose the best course of action for the dilemma, even if it may not be a pain-free solution.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Seven-Step Moral Reasoning Model Overview

The video script introduces the Seven-Step Moral Reasoning Model, a framework developed by Scott Peck to enhance ethical decision-making. The model, which is not exclusively Christian but is informed by biblical principles, is designed to guide individuals through moral dilemmas by asking the right questions rather than providing definitive answers. It emphasizes the importance of gathering facts, identifying ethical issues, understanding the underlying values and principles, listing possible alternatives, and comparing these alternatives with the identified values and principles. The model also considers the consequences of actions and ultimately leads to a decision-making process that is free from cultural, ethnic, and religious biases.

05:01

📝 Steps of the Moral Reasoning Model and Application

This paragraph delves into the specifics of each step in the Seven-Step Moral Reasoning Model. It begins with the importance of gathering all relevant facts to ensure a clear understanding of the moral dilemma. The script then explains the need to identify competing interests and the moral values and principles that support them. The model encourages the consideration of various values and principles, such as those derived from societal norms, natural law, or religious beliefs, and their relative importance. It proceeds with listing all possible actions and evaluating them against the identified values and principles, potentially leading to the elimination of unsatisfactory alternatives. If the dilemma persists, the model suggests considering the consequences of the remaining alternatives. Finally, the model concludes with the decision-making step, cautioning against the paralysis of over-analysis and acknowledging that moral decisions can be challenging and may still cause concern even when the best alternative is chosen. The script encourages viewers to apply the model to moral case studies for a more systematic approach to ethical decision-making.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Moral Reasoning Model

The Moral Reasoning Model is a structured approach to navigate ethical dilemmas. In the video, Scott Peck's seven-step model is highlighted as a tool to guide individuals through the process of ethical decision-making. It emphasizes asking the right questions rather than finding a single 'right' answer, aligning with the theme of fostering thoughtful moral deliberation.

💡Ethical Deliberation

Ethical Deliberation refers to the careful consideration of moral issues or dilemmas. The video script underscores the importance of this process in reaching well-reasoned decisions, especially when using the seven-step model, which is designed to help individuals think through moral problems methodically.

💡Moral Dilemmas

Moral Dilemmas are complex situations where one must choose between two or more conflicting moral principles or values. The script discusses how the seven-step model aids in addressing these dilemmas by identifying the underlying tensions and competing interests, central to the video's exploration of ethical decision-making.

💡Moral Values

Moral Values are principles that guide behavior and decision-making based on notions of right and wrong. The video explains that these values underpin the competing interests in moral dilemmas and are a key component of the seven-step model, where they are weighed against possible actions.

💡Principles

Principles in the context of the video refer to fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the basis for reasoning and action. They are integral to the model as they help determine the weight of different moral values and guide the decision-making process.

💡Consequences

Consequences are the results or effects of an action. In the seven-step model, if moral values and principles do not provide a clear course of action, the potential positive and negative outcomes of the alternatives are considered, which is a crucial aspect of the decision-making process discussed in the video.

💡Biblical Principles

Biblical Principles are moral teachings derived from the Bible. The video mentions that while the model is consistent with these principles, it is not exclusively Christian and is designed to be culturally and religiously impartial, highlighting the model's universal applicability.

💡Impartiality

Impartiality means being unbiased or fair. The script emphasizes that the seven-step model is impartial, free from cultural, ethnic, and religious biases, which is essential for its use in diverse moral reasoning contexts.

💡Analysis Paralysis

Analysis Paralysis is the state of being unable to make a decision after excessive analysis or overthinking. The video warns against this phenomenon, suggesting that the best decision may be the one with the least problems or negative consequences, even if it's not perfect.

💡Systematic Approach

A Systematic Approach involves a methodical and organized way of tackling problems. The video encourages the application of the seven-step model as a systematic approach to moral reasoning, promoting a structured method for evaluating moral dilemmas.

💡Natural Law

Natural Law refers to a system of moral principles believed to be inherent in human nature and universally recognizable through human reason. The video script mentions natural law as one of the potential sources of moral values or principles that individuals might consider in the decision-making process.

Highlights

The seven-step moral reasoning model was developed by Scott Peck to aid in ethical decision-making.

The model was introduced in Peck's 1995 book, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions in moral deliberation.

The model is consistent with the Bible but is not exclusively Christian, aiming for impartiality without cultural, ethnic, or religious biases.

It primarily focuses on moral values and principles, with consequences playing a supporting role, especially in complex moral issues like medical cases.

Step one involves gathering all relevant facts to achieve an objective perspective on the moral dilemma.

Step two is identifying the competing interests and underlying moral values and principles in a moral dilemma.

Step three requires determining the central moral values and principles that influence the positions of the involved parties.

In step four, all possible actions for the dilemma are listed, with some being immediately discarded.

Step five involves comparing the remaining alternatives against the moral values and principles to eliminate unsatisfactory options.

If the dilemma persists, step six suggests considering the positive and negative consequences of the remaining alternatives.

The final step, step seven, is making a decision, acknowledging that moral decisions are rarely pain-free and may still cause concern.

The model encourages a systematic approach to moral decision-making, reducing the risk of oversimplification in complex issues.

The model is designed to be adaptable and applicable to various moral dilemmas, not just those explicitly mentioned in religious texts.

It emphasizes the importance of understanding the source of moral values and principles, whether from society, culture, natural law, or religious tradition.

The model provides a structured way to approach moral dilemmas, ensuring that all aspects are considered before making a decision.

The seven-step model is a tool for ethical deliberation that can be applied to a wide range of moral issues, including those in medical ethics.

The video encourages viewers to apply the model to moral case studies to enhance their systematic approach to moral decision-making.

The video concludes with a recap of the seven steps, reinforcing the model's structured approach to ethical decision-making.