Chapter Seven: Moral Decision Making Comunicación y Gerencia Chapter Seven: Moral Decision Making

Traditional Sources of Morality Object Chosen (What We Do) Intention (Our Motive or Intention in Performing An Act) Circumstances (Conditions Surrounding the Act that Affect Its Goodness or Evil)

Fact-Finding: What and Who What are the facts? What is merely opinion? Who performs the action? Who is affected by it? Why does the person intend to do this action ? (What is their motivation?) How will the goals be achieved? (What is the means to achieve the end?) When and Where will the action happen? (What are the time and place?)

Fact-Finding: What and Who “What questions” remind us that moral decision-making occurs only when real people make choices in concrete situation. What are the facts about an issue? “Who questions” involve the person who does (or people who do) the action and the person or people affected by an action. Who will be affected by my decision?

Fact-Finding: Why and How “Why questions” seek to determine whether we act out of selfish motives or out of concern for others Why are we motivated to do what we do? “How questions” concern the way we do things and how that influences the morality of our actions More caring or less caring for the people involved. “Win at any cost.” “Do whatever it takes to close the deal.” “The end does not justify the means.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church,1753)

Fact-Finding: When and Where “When questions” and “Where questions” both deal with the circumstances behind the situation and the gravity of the situation itself. Questions about when and where do not always tip the scales from right action to wrong. It is important to remember, though, that moral decisions always occur in a time (when) and a place (where.)

Emotions and Morality Emotions (or passions) are neither good nor bad. When our emotions help us make good decisions, they are morally good. Likewise, when our emotions lead us to make bad decisions, they are morally evil. The consequences (or possible consequences) of our actions also must guide our moral decision-making process.

Moral Discernment Talking to others Consult the Church “Deciding for yourself does not mean deciding by yourself.” Consult the Church Teachings, documents, homilies, websites. Do you know the teachings of the Church on the issue? Check with your personal thoughts and feelings “Strong feelings are not decisive for the morality and holiness of persons; they are simply the inexhaustible reservoir of images and affections in which the moral life is expressed.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1768) Learn from personal experience Recognize and scrutinize your personal values Judgment guided by prayer (Ask God for guidance)

Conscientious Decision Making Ask for God’s help; Uncover all the facts (if possible); Determine the morality of all possible choices and all possible consequences; Arrive at a judgment (as best you can) while seeking to do God’s will; Through the decisions we make, we create who we are and help build the Kingdom of God.