How to Make Moral Decisions: Everyday Ethics

Have you ever faced a tough moral dilemma? Do you wonder how to navigate ethical challenges in your daily life?

In his book How to Be Perfect, Michael Schur explores how to make moral decisions in various situations. He breaks down complex philosophical concepts and applies them to real-world scenarios you might encounter.

Let's dive into Schur's insights and discover practical ways to approach ethical decision-making in your everyday life.

The Trolley Problem and Everyday Ethics

Have you ever wondered how to make moral decisions in tricky situations? Ethical dilemmas pop up in our daily lives more often than we might think. In his book How to Be Perfect, Michael Schur explores how to make moral decisions and apply ethical principles to everyday scenarios. Let's dive into some key ethical frameworks and how they apply to real-world situations, using insights from Schur's thought-provoking work.

Understanding Ethical Frameworks

To navigate the murky waters of moral decision-making, it helps to understand three main ethical frameworks:

1. Aristotle's virtue ethics
2. Kant's deontological ethics
3. Utilitarianism

Aristotle believed in developing virtues through consistent actions. He taught that we should strive for balance between excess and deficiency to flourish as individuals. It's not about following strict rules, but about cultivating a character that naturally radiates virtue.

Kant, on the other hand, focused on following universal rules established through logical reasoning. He argued that actions only have moral value if they stem from a sense of duty rather than self-interest. The core of Kant's philosophy is the categorical imperative: act only in ways that you'd want to become universal laws.

Utilitarianism takes a different approach, evaluating actions based on their outcomes. This framework aims to maximize collective well-being. Jeremy Bentham, a key utilitarian thinker, even developed a system to quantify happiness numerically.

The Trolley Problem: Ethics in Action

Now, let's apply these frameworks to a famous ethical dilemma: the Trolley Problem. Imagine a runaway trolley heading towards five people on the tracks. You're standing next to a large stranger on a footbridge above the tracks. The only way to save the five people is to push the stranger off the bridge into the path of the trolley. What do you do?

Utilitarianism would support sacrificing one person to save five, as it reduces overall harm. But this conflicts with Kant's principle of never using people merely as means to an end. It also challenges our intuitive sense of right and wrong.

The Trolley Problem highlights how our moral intuitions can be inconsistent. We might be okay with diverting the trolley to a track with one person instead of five, but pushing someone to their death feels very different – even if the outcome is the same.

Applying Ethics to Everyday Decisions

While the Trolley Problem is an extreme example, we face less dramatic but still challenging ethical decisions every day. Take the case of Chick-fil-A, where an executive's stance against same-sex marriage sparked controversy. Many people found themselves weighing their love for the restaurant's food against their ethical principles.

This situation shows how personal preferences can sometimes overshadow our commitment to unwavering values. It's a common struggle when trying to apply moral principles to everyday life.

Evaluating Your Moral Choices

So, how can you make better moral decisions in your daily life? Here are some steps to consider:

1. Evaluate your motives: Are you acting out of duty, virtue, or to maximize overall happiness?
2. Understand the consequences: What will be the short-term and long-term effects of your action?
3. Recognize your shortcomings: Nobody's perfect, and acknowledging your mistakes is crucial for moral growth.

Remember, ethical behavior isn't innate – it requires ongoing effort and reflection. Philosophical frameworks provide a foundation, but you need to build your own ethical understanding based on real-world experiences.

The Role of Privilege in Ethical Behavior

It's important to recognize that not everyone has the same ability to make ethical choices. People with greater privilege and financial resources have more opportunities – and arguably, a greater obligation – to act ethically.

Philosopher Peter Singer argues that wealthy individuals have a moral duty to help those in poverty. On the flip side, difficult circumstances and poverty can limit people's ability to reflect on and improve their behavior.

This doesn't mean that less privileged individuals are exempt from ethical considerations. Rather, it highlights the complex interplay between personal circumstances and moral responsibilities.

Embracing Humility and Continuous Improvement

Lastly, remember that moral growth is an ongoing process. Overconfidence can be a major obstacle to ethical development. Instead, cultivate humility and be willing to acknowledge your mistakes.

When you make a mistake, offer a genuine apology rather than empty words or excuses. Recognize that discomfort and remorse are actually signs of progress on your ethical journey.

Ethical behavior isn't about achieving a state of permanent perfection. It's about continuously striving, stumbling, and recommitting to do better. By embracing this mindset, you can foster a lifestyle centered on moral principles, where your own growth and the well-being of others go hand in hand.