Page 25 - August 2018

Ethical Decision Making Improve yourself

Ethical decision making leads to ethical behavior. It Sound ethical decision making is based on development
requires that standards be set high and so maintained; that of good character traits as well as on knowing the right
those standards be made known to all members of the way to behave and doing it. Those character traits include
t group; that those standards be enforced in some manner; courage, justice, compassion, and temperance (see the
n and, fi nally, that we understand that we are human and make Entered Apprentice Degree lecture).
e mistakes. Ethical decision making requires the individual
d to place upon himself a moral obligation to adhere to the As a Freemason, our fundamental duty is to serve our
standards of the group and to act as a guardian for those brothers and mankind. We should keep our private lives
standards by keeping his moral code above reproach. Not unsullied and keep ever secret that which is confi ded
only should one not do wrong, one should not give the to us unless that revelation is necessary to the proper
appearance of doing wrong. Perception—what one thinks administration of justice. We should be courteous to our
e about you—carries as much or more weight than your brothers and act without favor, malice or ill-will.
d behavior.
o When making an ethical decision, one must avoid the
s A person who makes good ethical decisions is one who obvious traps: everyone else does it; nobody will care; no
a possesses an excellent character. Thomas Paine (who may one will know; that’s close enough, and some rules are
y or may not have been a Freemason, solid evidence, either made to be broken.
, way, is lacking) stated that “reputation is what men and
o women think of us . . . character is what God and the Angles Ethical decision making is the realization that knowing
0 know of us.”2 what is right is doing what is right. Acting ethically and
making ethical decisions are not things that you turn on
A man of principle is not a man who understands a or off at will. It is part of your internal makeup. Sound
principle, but one who understands accepts and lives by ethical decisions mark the very character of a man and can
o that principle. Thus proper decision making is based on be summed up in fi ve words: duty, honor, integrity, loyalty,
, having good judgment—not infl uenced by passion—and and compassion.
e using common sense. The outcome of ethical decision
t making is expressed through courtesy, compassion and an General Douglas MacArthur, a Freemason, admonished
t appreciation of human dignity. the cadets at West Point in his farewell address to the corps
r to “Never forget these requirements, these ethics. Rather,
e Wisdom is knowing; virtue is doing. cherish them, keep them close to your heart, and hold them
e in reverence . . . for as long as you live. They will never
g Ethical decision making is in the best self-interest of fail you.”3 We would do well to follow our distinguished
the individual since it impacts directly upon his interaction Brother’s advice.
within society. Doing the right thing will, ultimately, serve
t you as well as it will your neighbor. To do the right thing,
y though, one must be honest with himself. Unreality is 1“Character of a Freemason” in The Farmer’s Almanac,
s unreality and has no value in the decision-making process. Andover, Mass., 1823.
u Nothing, be it love, fame or riches, is of value if obtained
d by fraud. At the same time, one must respect himself, but 2 “The Crisis,” in Common Sense.
d pride is not to be confused with arrogance. Rational pride
s is the understanding that who you are and what you are 3 Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s Address to the Corps of
— is based upon your values and serves society by enabling Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, May 12,
t you to treat all people in accordance with their actions and 1962.
d standards, not your preconceived notions or opinions.
d
The public has high expectations of Freemasons who
e espouse a strong system of ethical decision making and Author: Oscar Patterson III is a member of Ashlar Lodge
a moral behavior. They expect good judgment, common No. 98 in St. Augustine, FL. He received the BA in Religion
sense, honesty, fairness, and equality. As Freemasons, and Philosophy; the M.F.A. in Design; and the Ph.D. in
s we have become “lightning rods” for the indignation of Human Communication. He has been a juvenile offi cer, a
Methodist minister, an infantry offi cer in Vietnam, and a
y those who do not understand our ancient and honorable university professor and administrator. He is now retired
r Fraternity. If we, as Freemasons, make a sound, ethical and works part-time in law enforcement while continuing
f decisions and maintain clear moral standards, publically to lecture.
e and privately, character assignation from external as well
c as internal sources is rendered mote. Your actions and Reprinted from the Further Light, Journal of the Florida
l decisions refl ect not only on you but also on your family,
friends, co-workers, and Freemasonry. Lodge of Research, Vol XLII, Issue 1, Winter 2015.

Volume 94 Number 6 Montana Freemason Page 25