Mapping the Path of Moral Adversity

Abstract

An alternative path for addressing moral adversity and the resultant moral suffering engages the focal points in a cycle of imperiled integrity in response to moral harms, wrongs, failures, or other forms of moral adversity. Initially moral stress, a neutral state of readiness to respond that will eventually involve an appraisal as positive or negative, may be experienced. Depending on this appraisal and individual capabilities, moral stress may be rebalanced, released, or resolved, engaging our moral resilience to proactively or prospectively respond to moral adversity. Alternatively, when the moral stress of imperiled integrity exceeds our capacities and becomes unmanageable or overwhelming, it can instigate a pathway leading to moral suffering that includes moral distress, outrage, and injury. In some instances moral suffering leads to recalcitrant or persistent forms of moral decline. When moral resilience including a process of moral repair is leveraged, integrity can be restored.