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When you are making a moral choice, what exactly are you choosing?
In my opinion, when one makes a moral decision, he is choosing to define what it is he believes. If the decision is not a drastic one - if it is not an extremist position - it is likely that he is not comfortable with expressing himself fully. But this is not always necessarily true. Many people's beliefs fall towards the middle rather than on either edge of the spectrum. But when one makes a moral decision, he is deciding how it is he feels about a particular issue, and making his feelings known.
It is difficult to keep any ideas that are not quite "the norm" under wraps. However, it is often fun to see how other people react to your decisions. For example, in my history class, I am one of only a few conservatives among a class of many rampant liberals. But it is fun to get into discussions, or arguments rather, over whose opinions are correct. I often find myself strenghtening what it is I believe by having to defend my views to contrary thinkers.
Morals are so often the main factor in decision making. If one was to ask himself "Should I lie to my parents about where I am going, so I can have more fun out?" his answer would very much lay out his beliefs (for the time in question that is). Morals come into play heavily here, as the question has to be approached from different directions. First, it is necessary to decide which is more important - going out, or respecting your parents. But it is also important to keep in mind possible consequences of sneaky actions if one was to get caught. Is going out this one evening worth not going out for the rest of your life under your parent's roof? Is this evening going to be worth any and all consequences it may have? What would happen if I told my parents the truth? Should I tell them the truth before or after? If I tell them the truth before, will I be able to go? If I tell them after, will they respecy my choice in telling them, or will they wish they had remained in the dark? The questions continue to flow as such, and many of them have answers involving morals. It is a tough decision to see who means more to you - your parents or your friends. But opinions like these change drastically over time. How much one resents his parents at age 18 is not likely to be the same amount at age 28, or 38....
In making moral decisions, a person chooses what is important to him, and what is not. These beliefs will almost certainly change over time, but at the moment they are applicable. Choices involve opinions being known, and priorities being stated, and though this is often a difficult thing to do, it must be done.
