Should reason alone be used to determine which actions are morally right and which are morally wrong

By Matt Wright <surfski8@hotmail.com>

Should Reason Alone Be Used to Determine Which Actions are Morally Right and Which Actions are Morally Wrong?

Matt Wright


Webster’s dictionary and thesaurus defines reason as the ability to decide things, to obtain ideas, to think clearly, and to make logical and rational choices and decisions. Reason should be used daily as you encounter certain matters. When you reason things you weigh the good with the bad. Reason is the most sure-fire way to approach something, you should not let other’s opinion sway your own. You should think clearly, weigh the alternatives, and choose wisely. According to Hospers, “It is not revelation and not conscience that you should rely on to tell you what is right or wrong. You should use reason.” When reasoning you are logically thinking about what you should do or say and if it is moral or immoral to do or say. For example, if I were to kick the teacher in the skins, it would be a very immoral thing to do. If I had carefully thought about it and reasoned, using rationale points, as to why I should or shouldn’t do such an act. I would come to the conclusion that kicking the professor in the shins is immoral. Reason alone is should be used to determine which actions are morally right and which actions are morally wrong.

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Crystal Gray <crystalg32@hotmail.com>

I agree with you on this topic, because when you reason things out it shows you if it right or wrong.


Your Name <wlg51@backroads.net>

You make a good point, but also believe that there are other things that help a person to decide what is right and wrong.


Cindy Bourret <lucy12241979@hotmail.com>

Good job on the paper. I agree with your opinion on it.


Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>

Interesting Ideas. Although sometimes, you have no time to weigh the issues, and you must act in the spur of the moment. But when you have time, people should think through the problem. Good Job.


Karen <karen_long@email.com>

I, personally, don't think that reason alone should be the only thing one uses to to decide if something is right or wrong. Reasoning could give you one thing, but maybe your gut is trying to pull you in another direction. Should Reason outweight your gut-instinct? Sometimes, but I feel that there is more to it than just reasoning


Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>

Nice paper... I believe the same thing you do... You should not let opinion (public or others or your own even) get in the way of truly seeing what is right... Emotion is another thing that tends to get in the way, however, we should reason decisions out and think of what truly should be done...


nichole vernon <nichole317@excite.com>

i agree with this paper.when thinking through situations, you come to numerous conclusions that help you to determine if a decision is right or wrong.


Danny Frady <garydfrady@hotmail.com>

Making a sound decision is the key. I think you hit the nail on the head!


Cynthia Glanton <cynthia_glanton@hotmail.com>

Good paper. I do agree that reason is important in making decisions.


Heather Renfro <jewel@emeraldis.com>

Reason is definately important when making decisions. I have to agree with another student's comment that there is not always time to reason things out. Good Job!


Kimberly Pitts <KLP103@hotmail>

I have to disagree with your paper. I believe reasoning should be used when making decision, but reasoning alone is not always good enough.


Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>

Good paper. I believe things besides reason should be and are used to help make decisions though. Sometimes people go against all reason and are correct in their action.


missy kergosien <missc4@hotmail.com>

I agree with your position. Reason does enable one to make moral decisions.


Coleman Steifle <csteifle@hotmail.com>

Although I think other aspects should determine what is morally right and wrong, I think you did a good job arguing your points.


Denise Melchionne <dmelchionne@html>

I liked your paper, especially because you do not enforce your own opinion. You take the definition and work from there. The idea of using reasoning in decision making is very clear.


Heather Ferguson <addysmomF@netscape.net>

Good points! Enjoyed your paper.


Amanda Thompson <amandat211@yahoo.com>

You did a great job of explaining your view on this subject. However, I think that we should consider other aspects along with reason to determine right from wrong.


jasonstansill <jasonstansill@hotmail.com>

I realy enjoyed your paper, your ideas were well presented.


Comments Closed <10.13.01>

Further comments are voluntary.


Eric Doyle Knight <frruita@hotmail.com>

Good paper. However, I tend to disagree. I fully endorse reason as a very important decision-making tool. I just don't think it should be the only one. Is there no validity in following one's heart? What of instinct and intuition? I'm not saying one should be blind or unthinking, I'm just saying that this is not the only way, and that it can be overdone or get in the way.

"overthinking, overanalyzing, suffering the burdens of the mind; weathering my intuition, missing opportunities..." --Tool (Maynard James Keenan), "Lateralus"