Journaling for Thinking and Deliberation

In Harmonizing Ethics, I outlined a framework that attempts to unify various ethical schools of thought. These prompts are designed to guide you through a structured process for evaluating your assumptions and deliberating about contentious decisions. It also helps you evaluate actions based on their impact on basic needs, autonomy, and existential needs.

Step 1: Describe the Situation

What has happened that led you to feel either morally or intellectually conflicted? Consider describing the situation neutrally with observational language and quotations including if it’s a claim made by someone else.

Step 2: Initial Reactions and Assumptions

What assumptions do you have about the situation and what actions do you feel compelled towards in response?

Step 3: Evaluate your responses

Consider the evidence in favor and against your assumptions. What are the possible outcomes of your choice on the wellbeing of yourself and others?

Step 4: What do your ideas make possible?

Do these ideas and actions create more freedom for yourself? How can your beliefs or actions respect the rights of others?

Step 5: Expand Your Options

Based on the insights from Steps 3 and 4, can you think of new or better ideas or actions? How might you combine or modify existing options to balance outcomes?

Step 6: Think and Act with Kindness

How can you look at the situation with empathy and a wider perspective? Can you infuse your response with this outlook such as by offering or requesting tangible help—maybe comforting words, an act of kindness or modest donation—something that feels generous but is not owed and does not require significant sacrifice?

Step 7: Final Decision

What is your final conclusion or decision? Does it feel satisfying or do you need to reflect more?

Photo by Jan Kahánek on Unsplash