This
particular blog is extremely personal in nature. We have been discussing the
incorporation of values in the decision making process this week. Since every
person is unique, we all have a slightly different set of values. When we
consider values in our decisions, we often are willing to compromise those
values based on certain trade-offs (Hoch, Kunreuther, & Gunther, 2001).
Though we can see this in economic decisions such as trading off quality for
quantity, this also applies to our personal values. For example, perhaps you
value supporting “mom and pop” local businesses but you are willing to make a
trade-off in order to celebrate a friend’s birthday party at a chain restaurant.
However, “people often draw a line in the sand to create values that are
protected from trade-offs. These protected values (PVs) are considered absolute
and inviolable” (p. 251). For this particular blog, I have been asked to
discuss three of my protected values and support those with my beliefs. I could
just make up something common and easy but, in the spirit of learning, I will
be honest with my answers. I do not expect you as my audience to share in my
views but neither do I make any apology for them.
My
three most protected values ever are all somewhat interrelated. The first is
the absolute freedom of speech. The second is being “pro life” (anti-abortion).
The third and perhaps most perplexing and controversial is the right to life of
prisoners. This may actually surprise a lot of people as a fairly far right
leaning and conservative man on the political spectrum but I am stanchly
against the death penalty for prisoners. I am sure you can see now what I mean
by these protected values all being interrelated. But what beliefs lead me to
protecting these values? There are three major beliefs that lead me to protect
these values.
First
(and probably foremost), I believe that only God has the authority to create
and take life. My father was a Southern Baptist minister for 24 years. I was
born into a Christian home. However, I believe what I believe not because my
parents believed it but because I chose to believe it. Believe me, I had a lot
of doubt for many years. However, I studied the Bible for several years and did
a lot of research and am now sure of what I believe. Though the evidence is not
always tangible, it is overwhelming to support the accuracy and authenticity of
the Bible. As previously stated, my purpose is not to convince you to believe
as I do but I will never again be swayed from this belief. As you are most
likely aware, the Bible is very clear that we are all known by God in the womb.
I therefore believe that life begins at the moment of conception. I also know
that we are commanded to not murder and I believe that is what the death
penalty is. It is man exacting punishment on man. This is not the same as
combat where we are defending ourselves or others. In the case of prisoners,
there is no longer a threat. And, of course, I believe that God created our
minds to be wonderful things and our thoughts should never be stifled. Second,
I believe that we all have a great purpose. This probably stems from my
religious beliefs but it goes a step beyond that in that we cannot fulfill our
purpose if our lives are extinguished or if we are prevented from the free and
open exchange of ideas with others. That is how we grow and, without growth and
personal expansion, we can never reach our fullest potential. Finally, I
believe that life is just really exciting.
The
pros and cons can be extremely difficult to weigh with these beliefs. When it
comes to my religious beliefs, Christianity teaches us to love one another, to
treat everybody with dignity and respect, and to be benevolent. However, there
are some “rules” about certain lifestyle choices that Christianity does not
support. This causes a lot of dissonance between Christians and those that have
other belief systems. Another downslide to religious beliefs is that there are
other religious systems in the world that people also believe to be true that
contradict the Christian belief system. This can cause a lot of conflict that
can, ironically, lead to the taking of life that we hold to be so precious. (Often,
people may also believe that the consequences of violating the “rules” of
Christianity leads to judgement and punishment by God. I do not personally
believe this, though. I believe that once we are saved, we cannot lose that
salvation and am prepared to defend that belief but that is a posting for a
different blog.) The second belief that I said was that every life has a
purpose. The pros to this are easy enough to see, I think. We all have the
potential to do something great and we all should be given the opportunity to
contribute. However, there is a downside to this, believe it or not. If we all
have a purpose but we do not fulfill that purpose, others are left to carry our
weight. We actually have the potential to be a drain on society. And the last
belief is that life is just exciting. It is so fun to be alive! There is an
entire world of opportunity to explore! So what could be the downside to that?
Other than just not taking the time to enjoy it, I honestly don’t know.
When
it comes to trade-offs to my protected values, there really is only one
trade-off that I am willing to make and that actually deals with quantity. If
there is a choice between a life or two lives, I must protect the two. If
silencing one person means that more may speak freely, that is a price that
must be paid. Other than that, these are not values that I just manufactured
for an assignment. These are values that have been protected by me for as long
as I can remember. As I stated previously, I don’t owe an explanation nor do I
hope to sway anybody else. However, there is a huge takeaway from this. As you
can see, I am very passionate about my beliefs. I am sure that you have beliefs
about which you are also very passionate. So what happens when opposites meet?
What happens when someone that is pro-life is forced to work with someone that
is pro-choice? What happens when someone that is pro-gun has to work with
someone that is a pacifist? Is it right for me to say that those people don’t
have a right to their beliefs or values? How am I to say that I am any more
right than they are? If I can’t be swayed in my beliefs, how can I expect
someone else to be swayed in theirs? I honestly don’t have the answer to what
we are supposed to do in those cases but I think that understanding is a good
starting point.
Hoch,
S. J., Kunreuther, H., & Gunther, R. E. (2001). Wharton on making decisions. New York: Wiley.
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