Submitted by: Bless Redondo

A moral decision is a decision

made in a way so that action
or inaction conforms to one’s
morals. Typically, we refer to
a moral decision when the
choice made is not the choice
that would be valid per some
rationale, such as greater
comfort, financial reward or
lower cost or elimination of
some problem.
• Morals are acquired
(learned or self-
developed) rules of
behavior categorized
into ‘right’ or
‘wrong’, where the
rules typically omit
context and nuance.
 Curiously, morals have a high-level
of culturally and socially acquired
variation. Often, this occurs for
morals originating in religious rules
over conduct by followers. It is also
found where there is enforced social
stratification
Principle of Moral Discernment
 Let’s just begin with a definition of the
word discernment
Many people just use discernment as a synonym
for “decide.” But discernment is a richer and deeper
concept that, while related and antecedent to
“deciding” is distinct from it. The goal of
discernment is to see beyond the mere external
dimensions of something, and to probe to its deeper
significance.
 The word discern comes from the
Latin dis- “off, or away” + cernere – “to
distinguish, separate, sift, set apart, divide, or
distinguish. Thus, to discern is to distinguish
or sort out what is of God, and what is of the
flesh, the world or even the devil. As such,
discernment, in its root meaning is
something that ought to precede decision
and aid it.
Principles
 Principle 1 – State of life. 
There are many different states in life,
some permanent, some long-lasting,
some only temporary. We may be single,
married, a priest, a religious, young, old,
healthy, or fragile in health. We may be a
student, a parent, rich or poor. Being clear
about our state in life can help us discern
if a call is from God or not.
 Principle 2  – Gifts and talents 
It is a clear fact that people have
different combinations of virtues and
talents, gifts and skills. In discerning the
will of God, regarding a course of action,
or of accepting an offer or opportunity,
we ought to carefully ponder if it will
make good sense based on our skills and
talents.
 Principle 3 – Desire 
Desire as a principle of discernment surprises
some people. We are often suspicious of our
desires, and not without reason. When it comes to
most things regarding the Moral Law and Doctrine,
our feelings and desires are largely irrelevant, and
should not be determinative of understanding God’s
will. For example that we should not commit
adultery remains the clear will of God, no matter
how we feel about. That Jesus is God is true, no
matter our feelings.
Principle 4 – Organic development

This principle simply articulates that

God most often moves us in stages rather
than in sudden and dramatic ways. While
it is true, in most lives, there are times of
dramatic change, loss, and gain, it is more
usual for God to lead us gently and in
stages toward what he wills for us.
 Principle 5 – Serenity 
When God leads us, the usual result is
serenity (peace) and joy. In my own priestly life
I have at times,  been asked to move from one
assignment to another. At such moments there
is great sadness, since I had to say goodbye to
people I greatly love. And yet, when it is God’s
will that the time has come for moving on, in
spite of the sadness, I also feel an inner peace,
a serenity.
Principle 6 – Conformity to Scripture and Tradition.

Some may think that this principle

should be at the top of the list, and you
are free to put it there. But I prefer to say
that the Word of God and the teachings of
the Church has the last word in any
decision.
Well formed Conscience
 The Church equips its members to address political and
social questions by helping them to develop a well-
formed conscience. Catholics have a serious and lifelong
obligation to form their consciences in accord with human
reason and the teaching of the Church. Conscience is not
something that allows us to justify doing whatever we
want, nor is it a mere “feeling” about what we should or
should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God
resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us
and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is
evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to make
sound moral judgments based on the truths of our faith.
 The formation of conscience includes several elements.
First, there is a desire to embrace goodness and truth. For
Catholics, this begins with a willingness and openness to
seek the truth and what is right by studying Sacred Scripture
and the teaching of the Church as contained in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is also important to
examine the facts and background information about various
choices. Finally, prayerful reflection is essential to discern the
will of God. Catholics must also understand that if they fail to
form their consciences in the light of the truths of the faith
and the moral teachings of the Church they can make
erroneous judgments. — from Forming Consciences for
Faithful Citizenship
 As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic
Church, “Conscience is a judgment of reason
whereby the human person recognizes the
moral quality of a concrete act that he is
going to perform, is in the process of
performing, or has already completed. In all
he says and does, man is obliged to follow
faithfully what he knows to be just and right
 Strategies of
Moral Decision
Making Process
 Recognizing your circumstances
Thinking about origins of problem,
individuals involved, and relevant
principles, goals & values; considering
one’s own role in causing and/or resoling
the problem
 Seeking outside help

Talking with a supervisor, peer, or

institutional resource, or learning from others’
behaviors in similar situations
 Questioning your own and others’
judgment

Considering problems that people often

have with making ethical decisions,
remembering that decisions are seldom perfect
 Dealing with emotions

Assessing and regulating emotional

reactions to the situation
 Anticipating consequences of actions

Thinking about many possible outcomes

such as consequences for others, short & long
term outcomes based upon possible decision
alternatives
 Analyzing personal motivations

Considering one’s own biases, effects of

one’s values and goals, how to explain/justify
one’s actions to others, & questioning ability to
make ethical decisions
 Considering the effects of actions on
others
Being mindful of others’ perceptions,
concerns, and the impact of your actions on
others, socially and professionally
Ethical Dilemmas
 What is an Ethical Dilemma?

An ethical dilemma (ethical paradox or moral

dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making
process between two possible options, neither
of which is absolutely acceptable from an
ethical perspective. Although we face many
ethical and moral problems in our life, most of
them come with relatively straightforward
solutions.
On the other hand, ethical dilemmas are extremely
complicated challenges that cannot be easily solved.
Therefore, the ability to find the optimal solution for
ethical dilemmas is critical to everyone.

Every person can encounter an ethical dilemma in

almost every aspect of their life, including personal,
social, and professional.
 How to solve an ethical dilemma?

• The biggest challenge of ethical dilemma is

that it does not offer an obvious solution that
would comply with ethical norms.
Throughout the history of humanity, people
always faced ethical dilemmas, and
philosophers aimed and worked to find
solutions to the problems.
By far, the following approaches to solve an ethical
dilemma were deduced:
• Refute the paradox (dilemma): The situation must be
carefully analyzed. In some cases, the existence of the
dilemma can be logically refuted.
• Value theory approach: Choose the alternative that
offers the greater good and the lesser evil.
• Find alternative solutions: In some cases, the problem
can be reconsidered, and the new alternative
solutions may arise
 Examples of ethical dilemmas

Some examples of ethical dilemma examples

include:
• Taking credit for others’ work
• Offering a client a worse product for your
own profit
• Utilizing inside knowledge for your own
profit
 The End
Thank You !