Moral Decision Making: Analysis of Rae's Seven-steps Model

Making ethical choices requires the ability to make distinctions between competing options. Each of us are faced with question like 'How do we make ethical decisions?' at some point in our lives. An individual often act impulsively, and without thinking carefully, in regards to their decisions. In 2009, Scott B. Rae has devised a seven-step model in regards to moral decision making. This model allowed individuals to apply their own moral rules to make a justly and reasonable option in regards to their ethical dilemma. Rae's model of moral decision making will be explored in this essay to identify whether his model is helpful in making rational moral decisions. 

Scott B. Rae's Seven Steps-Model of Moral Decision Making

To ensure the rationality and impartiality of moral decisions, it is good to follow the seven-step moral reasoning model. These steps can serve as a guide in making best choices in decision makings.

First step is to stop and think. In real life, we won't have a big sign that pops up in front of us telling us to stop and think. However, when faced with ethical dilemmas, it is nice to take a moment to pause and think about the situation first, the potential effect of the decision and the people who might get involved in the result of the decision. It prevents us from making rash decisions that we might later regret, prepares us for more thoughtful discernment and gives us a chance to move forward. Sometimes people make choices without thinking when they really ought to think a bit. For example, we sometimes say things that hurt people's feelings and then we feel bad for having said them and regret saying them eventually. This is a result of not thinking carefully before making a decision like saying things without hesitation.

The second step is to Clarify Goals. When making any decision, it is necessary to determine your goals both short-term and long-term goals. These will be the groundwork of what one desires to accomplish. During this step, we must be mindful to not allow pleasant desires to outweigh attaining long-term goals. For example in real life experiences, we might think about spending a relaxing weekend at the beach, which would cost 7,000 pesos. We might think that we deserve a break and this is what we need right now. Further on down the line, however, is this going to help me achieve my goal of saving the money and having the extra funds available for something better or more important? It is an important step to identify our goals to determine the end result that we want to achieve.

The third step is to determine facts. Make sure that that all essential information is considered before you make a decision. To determine the facts, solve first what you know, then what do you still need to know. Have a heart to accept other information about the subject of your decision- making process and make it sure that facts are reliable and credible considering the facts that they would be the basis of your decision. We have to use our best judgment while obtaining the facts. Be open to information but also be smart and don't become complacent. Don't just look at the surface; dig deeper, especially when making tough, ethical decisions. Even the smallest details matter. Determining facts is also important in making essays in school to make our own idea on a certain topic and avoid plagiarism or taking credits for others' work.

The fourth step is to develop options. Once we have identified our end goal, and we have determined all of the facts, try to make a list of choices that are going to help us reach our goal. If we are having a hard time, this is a great time to talk to or rely on a trusted person that can possibly help us see things from a different perspective or a viewpoint that we may not have even considered. It is important to be open, not only to information, but to other people's perspectives and opinions as well. Clear our minds and try to come up with alternative ways. When entering college, it is important to get a course that we really want and that is suited to our likes and interests. But when things don't go according to plan, this is when we choose another option or get a different course, so having a back-up plan is important.

The fifth step is to consider consequences. We have to review our options and see if any of them will go against our ethical standards, and immediately eliminate any that might and find another option. We need to consider everyone and anything that our decision is going to affect and how is it going to affect them. We make several decisions everyday, to think of the possible consequences of our decisions is very important. Think of the possible effects of our decision to the things or people around us.

The sixth step is to choose. After consideration of all the consequences from the options, now is the time to decide on the option that we want to move forward with. If at this point we are still on the fence, talk with a trusted person and consult them. If our decision makes us proud and is something that we don't mind everyone knowing that we've done, it's an ethically-sound decision.

The last step is to monitor and modify. Using imperfect information and predictions to make tough decisions lead them to be inevitably wrong. After making decisions, we should always monitor the effect of our decision. If the result doesn't turn out the way we like or we hope for, at times we can reassess and change our decision.

Conclusion

On many occasions, ethical decisions are not easy. I believe that Rae's model helps individuals to reflect on hard decisions. We tend to be in a troublesome situation and suddenly make a choice without any forethought. This model allows people to take the time to visualize their problems and options. A person needs to premeditate about ethical choices. Our ethical choices and decisions are always connected to our 'big picture' so it essential to be mindful at all times.

References

1. Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.

2. Rest, J. R. (1986). Moral development: Advances in research and theory. Praeger.

3. Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on moral development: The philosophy of moral development (Vol. 1). Harper & Row.

4. Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2010). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. John Wiley & Sons.

5. Mischel, W. (2014). The Marshmallow Test: Understanding Self-Control and How To Master It. Little, Brown Spark.

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6. Batson, C. D. (2011). Altruism in Humans. Oxford University Press.