Module 7

THE ACTS: REASON AND IMPARTIALITY

Reason

It refers to the sufficient ground of explanation

and logical defense. It also reflects the power of
comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in
orderly rational ways.
Impartiality

It is a principle of justice holding that decisions

should 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.
The Moral Act

Human beings are complex beings. Unlike other

organism that are simply driven by survival
instincts, human beings experience the world in a
variety of ways through a variety of perceptive
capacities.
 Apart from our rational capacity which allows us
to reckon reality with imaginative and calculative
lenses, our feelings also play a crucial part in
determining the way we navigate through various
situations that we experience.
 Being human, we have the capacity to reflexively
examine a situation before proceeding to act with
respect to how we feel. In other words, although
feelings provide us with an initial reckoning of a
situation, they should not be the sole basis for our
motives and actions.
 A person who is in a state of rage towards a
perceived enemy or competitor is likely unable to
process the possible consequences of his/her
actions done impulsively. Feelings seek immediate
fulfillment, and it is our reason that tempers these
compulsion.
 Feelings without reasons are blind. Reason sets
the course for ethical ethical and impartial decisions
especially in moral situations although it is not the
sole determining factor in coming up with such
decisions.
 Reason and feelings must constructively
compliment each other whenever we are making
choices. When feeling anger and jealousy, and
shame are out of control, reason puts these emotions
in their proper places.
 The Seven Steps of Moral Reasoning

 Stop and Think

 Clarify Goals
 Determine Facts
 Develop Options
 Consider Consequences
 Choose
 Monitor and Modify
Step 1. Stop and Think

Before making any decision. It is best to take a

moment to think about the situation itself, your place
in it, and other surrounding factors which merit
consideration such as the people involved and the
potential effects of your decision on them.
Step 2. Clarify Goals

It is also necessary to clarify your short-term and

long-term aims. One often decides on the basis of
what he/she wants to accomplish. Sometimes, in the
heat of the moments, short-term wants eclipse long-
term goals.
Step 3. Determine Facts

Make sure you gather enough information before

you make a choice. An intelligent choice is one that is
supported by verified facts. You must first make sure
that that what you know is enough to merit action.
Step 4. Develop Options

Once you are clear in terms of your goals and facts,

try to come up with alternative options to exhaust all
possible courses of actions. Most of the time, the
pressure of a situation may make you feel you have
less options than you think.
Steps 5. Consider Consequences

Filter your choices and separate the ethical from the

unethical choices bearing in mind both your motives
and the potential consequences of your action. Think
of long-term consequences and act in accordance with
the principles of justice and fairness.
Step 6. Choose

Make a decision. If the choice is hard to make, try

consulting others who may have knowledge or
experience of your situation. Find people with
virtuous character and compare your reasoning with
their moral analysis.
Step 7. Monitor and Modify

Monitor what happens after your decision and have

enough humility to modify your actions or behavior as
necessary. Pride may get in the way of admitting that
you might have not thought out a decision wll enough.
 Moral character traits are those dispositions of
character for which it is appropriate to hold agents
morally responsible. A trait for which the agent is
deserving of a positive reactive attitude, such as
praise or gratitude, is a virtue
 Moral character traits are relatively stable and
reliable dispositions, and thus should be
reasonably good predictors over time of an agent’s
behavior if that agent is in a trait-relevant situation
 Moral character traits are not just dispositions
to engage in certain outward behaviors; they can
also be dispositions to have certain emotions or
affections.
 In order for a moral character trait to be a
virtue, it must not only be in accord with the
relevant moral norms, but the disposition must
also be informed by proper reasoning about the
matter at hand.
Moral Disposition

It refers to the persons ability to behave in

certain ways in certain sorts of circumstances in
accordance to the appropriate virtues.
References

Corpus, R.M., de la Cruz, R.G., & Tabotabo, C.V.

(2011). Standards of Human Conduct: Ethics for
Filipinos. Quezon City: C & E Publishing Inc.
Corpus, R.M., de la Cruz, R.G., Estoque, R.S., &
Tabotabo, C.V. (2008). Introduction to Logic: A
Modular Approach. Intramuros, Manila:
Mindshapers Co., Inc.
Lombo, J.A., Russo, F. (2014). Philosophical
Anthropology: An Introduction. Illinos: Midwest
Theological Forum
Sheerean, Patrick J. (1983). Ethics in Public
Administration: A Philosophical Approach. Santa
Barbara, CA: Praeger