Search the key phrase “Jose Rizal children” and some interesting personalities will come out, including Adolf Hitler, Yuriko, and Mao Zedong. But are they Jose Rizal’s children?
Reason and Impartiality as Minimum Requirements for Morality
The minimum requirements of morality are reason and impartiality. “Moral judgments must be
backed up by good reason and impartiality”. “Morality requires the impartial consideration of each
individual’s interests”. Moral judgments or resolving a dilemma of moral judgments must be backed by
good reason.
Reason and impartiality refer to a mental activity following the basic principle of consistency,
the lack of contradiction between one idea and another. It is a process of deriving necessary conclusion
from premises, avoiding all forms of deception of fallacy of reasoning. It avoids ad hominem, by not
attacking the personality of the opponent and instead directing one’s argument against his idea.
Reason avoids ad misericordiam, appeal to pity, since appearing miserable does not improve an
argument. Reason does not resort to ad verecunduam, appeal to authority, one’s power and influence
cannot make a wrong right.
A logical, impartial, objective reason avoids ambiguities like equivocation, circular reasoning,
amphibology, etc. Coherent reasoning is needed to establish truth and meaningfulness of moral
judgments.
“Morality requires impartial consideration of each individual’s interest”. In arriving at a sound
moral judgment you must listen to everyone trying to speak. Biases and prejudices must be placed
between brackets, suspended. Everyone’s message, silent or verbal, should be allowed to be unveiled.
Everyone has always something to tell. No has a monopoly of the truth. A moral subject must be seen
from various perspectives and standpoints.
Scott Rae’s 7 Steps of Moral Reasoning
1. Gather the facts, information. “The simplest way of clarifying an ethical dilemma is to make
sure the facts are clear.
2. Determine the ethical issues, similar to “statement of the problem”. The competing interests
are what create the dilemma. Moral values and virtues must support the competing interests in
order for an ethical dilemma to exist. If you cannot identify the underlying values/virtues then
you do not have an ethical dilemma. Often people hold these positions strongly Moral values
and virtues must support the competing interests in order for an ethical dilemma to exist. If you
cannot identify the underlying values/virtues then you do not have an ethical dilemma. Often
people hold these positions strongly and with passion because of the value/virtue beneath
them.
3. Determine what virtues/principles have a bearing on the case. This is similar to identifying the
relevant factors (internal and external). “In an ethical dilemma certain values and principles are
central to the competing positions. Identify these. Determine if some should be given more
weight than others. Ask what the source for the principle is – constitution, culture, natural law,
religious tradition. These supplement biblical principles.
4. List the alternatives or develop a list of options. “Creatively determine possible courses of
action for your dilemma. Some will almost immediately be discarded but generally the more you
list the greater potential for coming up with a really good idea. It will also help you come up with
a broader selection of ideas.