Human Reasoning
Life is full of sticky decisions.In a world of complication and chaos, we are constantly bombarded by multiple choices and decisions. Often times, these decisions do not wait for us, for when the deadline is reached, the absence of a decision is also a decision by itself.
In life, many of our decision-making involve morality. In ethical decision-making, each situation varies and it is crucial for us to learn to scrutinise each situation before we apply the appropriate moral principles to the specific situation. It would be naive and simplistic for us to assume that every principle is to be applied universally in all situations regardless of the context of the situation. Thus, we get frustrated when others are quick to make moral judgment without first looking into the situation, quick to point out what is wrong and forbidden without examining the context.
Thus, it is important for us to learn to use our human reasoning in every ethical situation and to be able to make sound judgments and wise decisions. Unfortunately, human reasoning can be abused too. We can use the power of human reasoning to justify decisions that we make by explaining that it is not wrong to make such decisions, and not pursue the highest form of right: the ideal.
It is one thing to recognise the fallen condition of the world and the depravity of man, but it is another thing to capitalise on this reality and use it to justify the less ideal decisions that we make, and forget and forgo the pursuit of the ideal.
Human reasoning - use it but not abuse it, for it can make or break you.
Labels: Reflections
posted by Dan at 5/12/2008 11:30:00 am
1 Comments:
In a world of subjective viewpoints, where no one really knows the true context- save God, perhaps? - every decision, weighed and measured from the perspective of the individual makes perfect sense, how can we expect for all parties to understand the full context every time? This is of course not to excuse jumping to conclusion, but you are aware that by writing thus, we place ourselves under closer and sharper scrutiny, because the measure has been cast by no one else but the writer (and person who sets the standard).
Point is also that there is a limit to human reason, just as we can only make accurate decisions based on facts available, and sometimes God purposely withholds all the facts...
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