Scott Rae’s Seven Steps of Moral Reasoning

Scott Rae, a prominent Christian ethicist, developed a 7-step model for moral reasoning that aims to guide individuals in making ethical decisions based on a well-rounded and principled process. His framework is widely utilized in both religious and secular contexts for understanding complex moral dilemmas. Rae’s 7-step approach provides a systematic way to evaluate moral choices, taking into account not only the facts of the situation but also the broader ethical principles and consequences. This model serves as a valuable tool for ethical decision-making, encouraging individuals to approach moral dilemmas with careful thought, empathy, and integrity.

Step 1: Determine the Facts

The first step in Rae’s moral reasoning model is to determine the facts of the situation. This is crucial because ethical decisions are often influenced by a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about the circumstances surrounding an issue. Without a clear understanding of the facts, it is impossible to make a sound moral judgment.

In this step, individuals must gather all relevant information about the situation. This includes identifying the people involved, understanding their perspectives and motivations, and recognizing the context in which the moral dilemma arises. It is important to ask questions such as: What is happening? Who is affected? What are the potential consequences? What is the historical context or background that informs the situation?

For example, in a workplace scenario where an employee is accused of misconduct, the facts might include understanding what actions led to the accusation, what evidence is available, and how different parties view the incident. Only by fully grasping the facts can one begin to assess the ethical implications of the situation.

Step 2: Identify the Ethical Issues

After determining the facts, the next step is to identify the ethical issues at stake. This step involves recognizing the moral principles that are in conflict or being challenged in the situation. Often, moral dilemmas arise when different ethical values, rights, or duties are at odds with one another, requiring careful consideration of how to balance them.

In identifying the ethical issues, individuals must ask themselves questions like: What are the conflicting moral principles? Are there competing rights or duties involved? Is anyone’s well-being or dignity at risk? For example, in the workplace scenario of employee misconduct, ethical issues might include the employee’s right to privacy, the organization’s duty to uphold its policies, and the potential harm caused by the misconduct to other employees or the company’s reputation.

Step 3: Determine the Stakeholders

The third step in Rae’s model is to identify the stakeholders in the situation. Stakeholders are the individuals, groups, or entities that will be affected by the decision, either directly or indirectly. Understanding who the stakeholders are is essential because moral decisions are rarely isolated; they almost always have broader implications for others.

In this step, individuals must consider who is impacted by the decision and what their interests, rights, and concerns are. This includes thinking about both the immediate and long-term effects on stakeholders. For instance, in the workplace scenario, stakeholders might include the accused employee, the organization, other employees, customers, and even the broader community if the issue is publicly known.

By recognizing the stakeholders, individuals are better able to assess the ethical weight of the decision and ensure that the interests of those involved are fairly considered. It also helps to identify who may be vulnerable or at risk as a result of the decision.

Step 4: Consider the Consequences

The fourth step in Rae’s moral reasoning model is to consider the potential consequences of different courses of action. This step requires individuals to evaluate the outcomes of each option and how they will impact the stakeholders identified in the previous step. It involves predicting both the immediate and long-term effects of a decision, including any unintended consequences.

This is where the utilitarian perspective—assessing the greatest good for the greatest number—often plays a significant role. However, it is also important to consider the potential harm or injustice that may result from each option. For example, if the decision is to dismiss the employee for misconduct, the consequences may include not only the loss of their job but also the effect on team morale, the company’s reputation, and the well-being of other employees.

In evaluating the consequences, individuals must carefully weigh the benefits and harms of each possible decision and consider how to minimize negative outcomes while maximizing positive ones.

Step 5: Consider the Ethical Principles Involved

After assessing the consequences, the next step is to consider the ethical principles involved in the decision. Rae’s model emphasizes the importance of applying moral principles—such as fairness, justice, respect for rights, and the golden rule—when making decisions. This step requires individuals to reflect on which principles are most relevant to the situation and how they should be applied.

For example, in the case of employee misconduct, principles such as justice (ensuring the employee is held accountable), mercy (being compassionate in the face of mistakes), and respect for persons (acknowledging the employee’s dignity and rights) might all be in play. Individuals must consider how each principle weighs against the others and which principle should take precedence in light of the facts and consequences.

Ethical principles provide the moral compass for decision-making, helping individuals navigate conflicts between competing values. They also help to ensure that decisions are grounded in a solid ethical framework rather than in personal biases or expediency.

Step 6: Make a Decision

After thoroughly analyzing the situation using the previous five steps, the next step is to make a decision. This is where the moral reasoning process culminates, and individuals must choose the course of action that best aligns with their ethical principles, minimizes harm, and respects the rights and interests of stakeholders.

Making a decision requires individuals to exercise judgment, sometimes making difficult trade-offs between competing interests. In many cases, there is no perfect solution, and individuals must prioritize which ethical principles are most important in the specific context. For example, in the workplace scenario, the decision may be whether to terminate the employee or impose a lesser penalty, depending on the severity of the misconduct and the company’s values.

It’s important to remember that decision-making in moral reasoning is not always clear-cut. The process involves weighing complex factors and considering various perspectives to arrive at the most ethical choice.

Step 7: Implement and Reflect

The final step in Rae’s 7-step model is to implement the decision and reflect on its outcomes. Once a decision is made, it must be carried out effectively, with attention to how it affects the stakeholders involved. This implementation phase may involve taking action to address the moral issue directly, communicating the decision to affected parties, and following through on the chosen course of action.

Reflection is an essential part of this process, as it allows individuals to evaluate the consequences of their decision and determine whether it was ethically sound. Reflection encourages learning from the experience, recognizing any mistakes, and improving future moral reasoning. In the case of the workplace scenario, reflection might involve evaluating whether the decision led to improved outcomes, such as restoring team morale, maintaining fairness, and protecting the company’s values.

Reflection also encourages ongoing ethical development. It fosters a deeper understanding of moral principles and allows individuals to adjust their ethical frameworks as they gain new insights from their experiences.

Conclusion

Scott Rae’s 7-step moral reasoning model provides a comprehensive framework for making ethical decisions. By following the steps of determining the facts, identifying ethical issues, considering stakeholders, evaluating consequences, applying ethical principles, making a decision, and reflecting on the outcome, individuals can navigate complex moral dilemmas with greater clarity and consistency. This model encourages critical thinking, ethical awareness, and personal accountability, helping individuals make decisions that align with both moral values and the well-being of those affected.