In this article the author writes that identifying proper moral preferences should not be something that administrators have to deliberately think about before decision-making. Paul Wagner begins the discussion by saying that ideally, the identification of operative moral principles should persist throughout the decision-making process itself. To…

Presents the concept that information relates to value just as the information professional relates to salary, and then describes four approaches to understanding what constitutes value in information: intrinsic quality, the effect of cost, a product of supply and demand, or a function of utility. (CLB)

Dewey felt that people conducted themselves most ethically when reason and desire were in harmony. This article seeks to clarify some of the ambiguities noted by various interpreters of Dewey's philosophy, considers criticisms of these interpretations, and establishes a basis for fresh theorizing in the field of ethics. (IAH)

From the standpoint of a journal editor and researcher, this commentary critically reflects on some of the primary notions addressed in the 4 featured articles of the special section, discussing areas of agreement and divergence. As a way of further exploring these ethical and professional concerns, the contentious issue of using school children…

Examines the ethical complexity of practical problems encountered in counseling. Two processes--critical reflection and dialogue--working together in continuing development of professional responsibleness, are shown to heighten ethical sensitivity and enhance moral judgment making. (Author/BL)

Since designers and artists use stochastic processes in making aesthetic decisions, computers operating in a random generate-and-test mode may be useful to simulate and enhance human creative endeavor. (RM)

Metaphorically, the head and the heart represent different decision-making strategies. The disjunction between these two cultures is both sharp and unnecessary. The conflict between rationality and emotion is much broader than the tension between critical thinking and values analysis, but the assumptions responsible for the mutual awkwardness of…

Articulates the position that a primary function of value-centered arguments is the generation of decision rules. Discusses decision rules and value-centered arguments; uses this analysis to identify issues of value proposition debate. Draws applications to academic debate. (PD)

Recognizing that value involves experiencing pleasure or pain is critical to understanding the psychology of value. But hedonic experience is not enough. I propose that it is also necessary to recognize that strength of engagement can contribute to experienced value through its contribution to the experience of motivational force--an experience of…

Makes a case for rereading the fact-value dichotomy that currently divides the contemporaneous literatures dealing with children's moral reasoning development and their evolving theories of mind. Presents findings from two research programs, in which children's beliefs about truth and rightness are combined, to illustrate the natural…

The distinctive aims and methods of moral education and religious education indicate that they may be complementary. Moral reasoning is concerned with the assumptions and conditions of morality and with situational realities as well as imperatives. Religious beliefs play the same role in decision making as moral principles. (RM)

An analysis of the problem solving process reveals at least three options: (1) finding the cause, (2) solving the problem, and (3) anticipating potential problems. These methods may be illustrated by examining "Oedipus Tyrannus," a play in which a king attempts to deal with a problem that appears to be beyond his ability to solve, and…

To help counselors assess the morality of counseling decisions, a matrix of influencing is presented that generates morally significant questions for counseling. Alternative answers are considered for each question, and examples are used to clarify moral implications of counseling decisions. (Author/TE)

Underlines two major differences between moral judgments and moral behavior. For behavior, the moral situation is construed from an observer's perspective after the event and typically involves conflicts between moral and other kinds of pressures. For judgment, the situation is interpreted from the self's perspective in advance and often involves…

Comments on the issues introduced by Saltzstein (PS 522 554) in this issue. Elaborates on Saltzstein's proposed social cognitive factors that may account for discrepancies between moral reasoning and action, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. (AA)