Some ethicists believe that ethics is also a matter of emotion
Moraljudgments at their best should also be emotional
Reason and emotion
Not really opposites, both have relative roles in ethical thinking
Emotions
Judgments about the accomplishment of one's goals, can be rational based on good judgments
Feelings
Visceral or instinctual, provide motivations to act morally
Moral sentiments highlight the need for morality to be based also on sympathy for other people
Being good involves both thinking and feeling
Ethical Subjectivism
Moral judgments are dependent on the feelings, attitudes, or standards of a person or group, not objective facts
Emotivism
Moral judgments express positive or negative feelings, not statements of fact
Excluding feelings in moral living seems to go against the biblical decree to worship and serve God with a joyful heart or feeling
Subjective feelings sometimes matter when deciding between right and wrong
Emotions, like our love for our friends and family, are a crucial part of what gives life meaning, and ought to play a guiding role in morality
Feelingsoremotions involved in moral thinking should be anchored on careful consideration of a full range of right goals, including altruistic ones
Reason
Basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction, capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought
Moral truths are truths of reason, a moral judgment is true if it is espoused by better reasons than the alternatives
Reason is a requirement for morality, it spells the difference of moral judgments from mere expressions of personal preference
Impartiality
Principle of justice holding that decisions ought to be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons
Impartiality in morality requires that we give equal and/or adequate consideration to the interests of all concerned parties
Step Moral Reasoning Model
1. Gather the facts
2. Determine the ethical issues
3. Identify the principles that have a bearing on the case
4. Consider the consequences of the available options
5. Consider your duties and obligations
6. Consider the virtues involved
7. Make a decision and be prepared to act
Ethicalissues
Moral issues stated in terms of competing interests that make for a moral dilemma
Principles
Moral values or principles that have a bearing on a moral dilemma
Resolving a moral dilemma
1. Determine the ethicalissues
2. Identify the principles
3. List the alternatives
4. Comparethealternatives with the principles
5. Weigh the consequences
6. Makeadecision
Moral courage
Doing the right thing even at the risk of inconvenience, ridicule, punishment, loss of job or security or social status, etc.
Will
The faculty of the mind which chooses, at the moment of making decision, the strongest desire from among the various desires present
Willpower
The inner strength to make a decision, take action, and handle and execute any aim or task until it is accomplished, regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort, or difficulties
Developing will and moral courage
1. Develop and practice self-discipline
2. Do mental strength training
3. Draw inspiration from people of great courage
4. Repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral courage and will
5. Avoid deeds that show lack of moral courage and will
Moral courage and will require us to recognize our responsibilities and be accountable to the consequences of our own actions