Scott Rae - S 7-Step Model

4.2.
Scott Rae’s 7-Step Moral Reasoning Model
The previous topic dealt with the significance of being impartial and striking a
balance between using one’s feelings and reasoning when it comes to moral
decision-making. One does not only make a decision in a moral dilemma (or in any
situation for that matter) by simply relying on one’s gut-feeling; nor should one only be
constantly logical devoid of any emotional consideration in making moral decisions.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to exercise careful thinking when it comes to moral analysis,
evaluation, and decision-making: mindful of the persons involved, the act itself, the
applicable principles, and the overall context of the situation in which any moral
decision is to be made. Scott Rae, in his book, Moral Choices (2018), proposed a moral
reasoning model that could be used as a guide in making moral decisions. Rae’s moral
reasoning model does not guide one to an absolutely correct or “right” answer or
decision to a moral dilemma; rather, his model may guide an individual to ask the right
questions to ethical deliberation (Rae, 2018).
Scott Rae’s model for moral reasoning presents a 7-step approach to moral
analyses and evaluation. It is oriented towards virtues and principles with consideration
of consequences as a supporting role (Rae 2018). The 7-step model is as follows:
1. Gather the Facts
⮚ It is essential that in moral decision- making, one has to know the general facts of
the moral situation, before coming up with a moral analysis, more so, a decision
or an evaluation.
⮚ The simplest way of clarifying an ethical dilemma is to make sure the facts are
clear. Ask: Do you have all the facts that are necessary to make a good
decision? What do we know? What do we need to know? In this light it might
become clear that the dilemma is not ethical but about communication or
strategy (Rae, 2018).
2. Determine the ethical issues
⮚ After having identified the facts and overall context of the moral situation, the
ethical issue/s involved in the situation, must be clearly stated in order to specify
what issue one has to make a decision to. This section must likewise clearly state
the major moral dilemma involved in the case.
⮚ Ethical interests are stated in terms of legitimate competing interests or goods.
The competing interests are what create the dilemma. Moral values and virtues
must support the competing interests in order for an ethical dilemma to exist. If
you cannot identify the underlying values/virtues then you do not have an
ethical dilemma. Often people hold these positions strongly and with passion
because of the value / virtue beneath them (Rae 2018).
3. Determine what virtues / principles have a bearing on the case
⮚ Applicable ethical values and principles relevant to the case must be identified
and briefly explained in order to justify how such principles could be used in
coming up with a decision concerning the moral dilemma later on. In addition,
the sources of these principles must be acknowledged likewise. These values,
principles could come from: (1) established philosophical ethical principles; (2)
socio-cultural norms; (3) socio-political norms and laws; (4) religious traditions;
and others.
⮚ In an ethical dilemma certain values and principles are central to the competing
positions. Identify these. Determine if some should be given more weight than
others. Ask what the source for the principle is - constitution, culture, natural law,
religious tradition... These supplement biblical principles (Rae 2018).
4. List the alternatives
⮚ After having identified relevant values, virtues, and principles involving the moral
situation, possible alternative courses of actions must then be proposed and
briefly explained. These suggested courses of actions must then be evaluated
based on its applicability, sensibility, practicality before selecting one as the
course of action or decision to be made regarding the moral situation.
⮚ Creatively determine possible courses of action for your dilemma. Some will
almost immediately be discarded but generally the more you list the greater
potential for coming up with a really good one. It will also help you come up with
a broader selection of ideas (Rae 2018).
5. Compare the alternatives with the virtues / principles

⮚ The initial list of suggested courses of actions must then be evaluated from the
vantage point of the identified ethical values and principles.
⮚ This step eliminates alternatives as they are weighed by the moral principles
which have a bearing on the case. Potentially the issue will be resolved here as
all alternatives except one are eliminated. Here you must satisfy all the relevant
virtues and values - so at least some of the alternatives will be eliminated (even if
you still have to go on to step 6). Often here you have to weight principles and
virtues - make sure you have a good reason for each weighting (Rae 2018).
6. Consider the consequences

⮚ If principles have not yielded a clear decision consider the consequences of
your alternatives. Take the alternatives and work out the positive and negative
consequences of each. Estimate how beneﬁcial each positive and negative
consequences are – some might have greater weight than others (Rae 2018).
7. Make a decision (including one’s justification for the

decision)
⮚ After having analyzed the moral dilemma

situation (from steps 1 thru 6), one must now
make a decision based on what has been
previously discussed and must clearly justify the
decision that has been made.
⮚ Ethical decisions rarely have pain-free solutions -

it might be you have to choose the solution with
the least number of problems / painful
consequences (Rae 2018).

Scott Rae - S 7-Step Model

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4.2.

Scott Rae’s 7-Step Moral Reasoning Model

1. Gather the Facts

2. Determine the ethical issues

3. Determine what virtues / principles have a bearing on the case

4. List the alternatives

5. Compare the alternatives with the virtues / principles

6. Consider the consequences

7. Make a decision (including one’s justification for the

⮚ After having analyzed the moral dilemma

⮚ Ethical decisions rarely have pain-free solutions -

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