MORAL DECISION MAKING IN LIFE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Introduction
Every day in our place of work or within our personal lives, there is a certain level of
expected morals and ethics. Making the right decisions in life and in our work has to come from
within the person making the decisions. Doing the right thing is a trait and belief that is and must
be instilled in a person, however, that person must also be willing to do the right thing and make
the right choices.
Personal Experience Regarding a Moral Decision
My junior year in high school, we had a test in Creative Writing. I had not studied as well
as I should have so I was a little worried about the outcome of the test. Our teacher usually gave
us about five minutes or so to look over our notes and text book before the test. Before class, I
had mentioned not really studying to a friend of mine and he said not to worry about it. When I
opened my text book to the chapter the test would cover, I found a note from my friend with a
cheat-sheet. The note said he had my back.
Instead of studying, I weighed my options. By using the cheat-sheet, I would most
certainly get an A on the test. But if I were caught, not only would I get an F but I would most
likely be expelled for a couple of days and a call would be made to my mother. I wadded up the
cheat-sheet and threw it away and decided to take my chances on the test. To my surprise, I got
an A- on the test. To make my decision, I used free will (made the choice on my own) and reason
( I reasoned the positive consequences did not out-weigh the negative). The ethical theory that
would describe my approach to the moral dilemma would be Casuist. Casuist theory is simply
when one compares their current moral or ethical dilemma and the possible outcome to another
past dilemma which was similar and the outcome of those past dilemmas (Rainbow, C., 2002).
I had, in the past, observed others cheating on test and being caught and what the
outcome of each were. My decision was based on this plus the fact of having to face my mother.
Morality and Ethics
Morality or morals describes a person who is able to make their value judgments and
knows right from wrong. It is also used to judge good conduct (a persons character) (Pollock, J.
M., 2014, p. 6).
Ethics studies and analyzes what is considered or constitutes good or bad behavior or
conduct by a social system that morals are applied to (Pollock, 2014, p. 6).
The differences in the two concepts are morality judges good conduct while it also
describes a person; while ethics studies and analyzes good or bad behavior.
FOUNDATIONS FOR MORAL DECISIONS
Morality and ethics are similar in that they both come from the word ethos which
means moral nature, guiding character, sentiment that guides the beliefs of a society, person or
group (Pollock, 2014, p. 6).
Moral Principles
Beneficence is simply to do what is good to help others and one self or to do the greatest
amount of good possible to ensure others benefit from it (Rainbow, C., 2002).
Least harm is when a person chooses the least harm possible and to harm as few as
possible (Rainbow, C., 2002).
Respect for autonomy is allowing people to be in total control of every aspect of their
lives and decisions that apply to their lives (Rainbow, C., 2002).
Justice contends that an action or actions should be consistent and fair to everyone
involved (Rainbow, C., 2002).
Consequentialism
A utilitarian approach, consequentialism is the principle where one acts to promote the
best outcome for all of those involved. It involves two things: rule utilitarian when a person acts
with the fairest and the most just way) and act utilitarian ethics (when a person acts with the best
interest of the most people involved). In other words, the action that gives the greater number
happiness or satisfaction is the best action to take (Rainbow, C., 2002).
Conclusion
During this paper, we have discussed moral decision making and a personal experience
regarding a moral decision. How the situation was approached, actions taken and the positive and
negative outcome were also discussed as well as the ethical theory describing the approach.
Morality and ethics were defined and the differences and similarities were discussed. The moral
principles of beneficence, least harm, respect for autonomy and justice were also discussed as
well as consequentialism. Finally, free will and reason were discussed in relation to the ethical or
moral dilemma.





FOUNDATIONS FOR MORAL DECISIONS
References
Pollock, J. M. (2014). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (8th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth. Retrieved from http://wow.coursesmart.com
Rainbow, C. (2002). Descriptions of Ethical Theories and Principles. Retrieved from
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/indep/carainbow/theories.htm