Equal Importance of Reason and Emotion in Justifying Moral Decisions - Essay Example

of the of the of the Equal Importance of Reason and Emotion in Justifying Moral Decisions Insituations involving moral dilemmas people have to take ethical decisions to resolve them. The present tendency among the people is to employ reason rather than emotions in taking such decisions. Rational thinking has two perspectives. One of these two perspectives is the Kantian rational thinking or the Kantian inspired thinking. Under this perspective, an application of one of the general, abstract, deontological, universal moral principles, naturally takes place, while providing a solution to the moral dilemma. The Categorical Imperative founded by Kant is one such principle. It claims that moral dilemmas can be resolved by applying impartial, pure and rational principles. This principle requires a review of the available features of the dilemma, and the application of an abstract principle or set of rules that can be derived from the dilemma itself. The Categorical Imperative maintains that this procedure is sufficient to deal with moral dilemmas. Therefore, reason is given priority under this principle and emotions that would be in conflict with reason are ignored (Kourany). The second option is the Utilitarian approach to moral dilemmas. This principle is also based on the application of reason. This approach identifies the desires and interests of people and proposes merits of rational choice in order to maximize the pleasure of the desires and interests. Some philosophers promote egoism of a long term nature, while some philosophers refuse to adopt them. Proponents of egoism claim that morality should have the objective of increasing the satisfaction of individuals. Under this ideology, rational thinking would provide moral recommendations to the people, and explain the available choices. As in the case of the Kantian approach, the Utilitarian approach would also be based on a set of abstract principles or rules that could be applied to moral dilemmas. It suggests that emotions are the source of desire for certain objectives. Thus morality should guide people in reaching such objectives rationally. However, emotions interfere with reason, therefore they have to be disregarded (Kourany). It is a fact that many of the principal decisions that one is called upon to take, are of a moral nature. Morality is essential not only for the individual but also for society, because its very existence depends on the morality of its members. However moral values are always theoretical. Consequently, there had been a difference of opinion among the scholars and philosophers, while defining moral values. In addition, there had been widespread debate over the applicability of reason and emotion to justify moral decisions. One such philosopher, David Hume argued that reason can be construed as a slave to the personal emotions. In contrast to this, Kant addressed the importance of reason in the process of taking moral decisions. Antonio Damsio, the author of Descartes’ Error, had maintained that the theories of Hume and Kant cannot be correct, because reason and emotion do not oppose each other diametrically. He also stated that the processes that take place in the brain were intertwined and complicated (Ingham). The human brain plays a key role in the moral decision making process, whenever the situation warrants such a decision. The brain acts according to the situation in which the moral decision had been taken. In situations, where it is necessary to take some action with regard to a moral dilemma, several factors have to be taken into consideration, before arriving at a correct resolution for the moral dilemma. Furthermore, it is important to apply the highest possible rational deliberation (Moral Judgment Fails Without Feelings). In certain situations, there could be a need to take immediate decisions. In such circumstance the emotions would take an active part in resolving the issue on hand. Therefore, both reason and emotion are important for a justifying moral decision. Their contribution to the process of decision making varies and depends on the situation and importance of the decision (MacDonald). Some rationalist philosophers like Kant argue that reason plays a key role in moral decision making and that the results or outcomes vary according to that situation. This situation, according to these philosophers, is all the more evident when resolving a moral dilemma, because at that point of time reason takes an active part and emotions are relegated to the background. In Arizona, Robert Daniels, a patient of tuberculosis, was sentenced to imprisonment for having failed to carry out the instruction of the doctors to wear a face mask in public. Daniels was infected with a rare strain of tuberculosis, which was contagious and resistant to drugs. Wearing a face mask was compulsory in the interest of public health. A significant number of people, who had heard about his incarceration, were unhappy with this decision of the officials. In this incident, despite the officials’ sympathy for Daniels, reason was accorded greater importance, in comparison with sympathy, which is an emotion. The reason behind this decision was to prevent the spread of the virus. Thereby a large number of people were protected from that viral infection, which could cause an incurable disease (CBS NEWS. TB Patient Flees U.S. "Abuse" For Russia). In the year 2003, an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal stated that scientists were required to assess the risks and benefits inherent in the medical procedures relating to abortion. It also clarified that the study had been conducted in public and keeping in view the religious, ideological and political norms involved. Moreover, this study held that the scientific approach was detached and unemotional, relying more on reason. It also stated that if abortion were to be considered, solely as a matter of health and as a medical procedure, then it had to be excluded from metaphysics and moral debates. There was a vital necessity to bring it into the pragmatic realm. Furthermore, it had to deal with safety, equity of access, end results and the risk – benefit ratio (Unwanted results: The ethics of controversial research). Every individual should possess morality and moral authority. It is not restricted to a particular society, nation or religion. Morality or moral authority is the characteristic of individual citizens and constitutes an essential component of their conscience. In order to perceive morality and its consequences, an individual has to approach with an open and reasonable mind. Therefore, individuals should not be compelled to adhere to morality, due to coercion like the application of economical, political or social pressure (Peng). I attended a court case, in which a minor child had been murdered by a person under the influence of drink. The deposition of the witnesses and the facts of the case affected everyone in the court deeply. However, the presiding judge was calm and unemotional and after perusing the facts of the case, he sentenced that perpetrator of the crime exactly as per the extant law. This depicted the use of reason without allowing any emotional influence by the judge. Through education the concept of morality or moral authority can be instilled in individuals. This method strengthens and improves the attitude of individuals. Thus, education plays a major role in instilling moral principles into individuals and prepares them for living ideally in civilized society. Moral education is an essential requirement of society. Individuals must be taught morality along with rule of law to achieve positive outcomes in society and to achieve the goals of being just, fair and equitable. This would serve to enhance interpersonal relationships among the members of society (Peng). Works Cited CBS NEWS. TB Patient Flees U.S. "Abuse" For Russia. 9 October 2007. 29 January 2008 . Ingham, Jon. Strategic Human Capital Management. Butterworth – Heinemann, 2006. P. 31. Kourany, Janet A. Philosophy in a Feminist Voice: Critiques and Reconstructions. Princeton University Press, 1998. P. 98. MacDonald, Chris. Moral Decision Making -- An Analysis. 6 June 2002. 29 January 2008 . "Moral Judgment Fails Without Feelings." 22 March 2007. 29 January 2008 . Peng, T. C. "Morality and the Moral Person." Chinese American Forum (Oct2007): Vol. 23 Issue 2, p29-32, 4p; (AN 27493761). "Unwanted results: The ethics of controversial research." Canadian Medical Association Journal (2003): 169, 93. Read More