Strengthening Your Moral Muscle

IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE MORAL PRINCIPLES I HAVE

AARON HASS Ph.D.

Discussed have truly sunk in. One of my goals has been to make you more aware of specific issues such as flattery, bargaining and complaining. But if my book has been successful, you develop a generally more considerate, sensitive, and fair approach toward everyone with whom you come into contact.

The author and former Catholic monk, Thomas, pointed out:" When we are only spooned moral rules or lessons, we either embrace them rigidly or we anxiously rebel or against them. Mature moral judgment requires active involvement in moral analysis and decision-making. Otherwise, we will be unprepared for unanticipated quandaries.

We can sit in armchairs and have theoretical discussion about justice, duty, dignity, and self-control, or we can grapple with problems that occur in the real world. We can mull over the range of possible resolutions to dilemmas, or we can be forced to choose a course of action. This section will offer you an opportunity to strengthen your moral muscle by excising it.

We are often called upon to make moral decisions quickly, under pressure, when we are full of clashing emotions. The more we override feelings and impulses that can lead us astray.

We have all had the experience of having to make a decision with moral implications, but feeling conflicted about it. In other words, conflictions with multiple paths that seemed fair or restorable we were not completely certain about moving in one direction or another. There were many considerations.

How much should my needs count?

What moral principles are at stake here?

With whom do my loyalties life?

Who needs it more?

Who deserves it more?

At what point am I hurting myself by helping her?

Who can least afford to be hurt?

Even if we have clear moral principles, when we get down to particular cases, our clarity can become blurred. We have moral principles and we have real life. Moral values are always affected by circumstances. I should be honest. Except when you have been irreparably disfigured and inquire, Moral values are always affected by circumstances. I SHOULD BE HONEST. I should not steal. Except when you are unreasonably and arbitrarily limiting my access to a drug that might cure my son of a life-threatening illness.