A rational reason explains why an action makes sense in this scenario, using facts from it. This lesson gives you a swap test to tell a scenario-specific reason from a generic one.
It is the third lesson in values and concepts. It builds on connecting values with concrete actions.
The swap test
Take your reason and imagine it written under a different scenario. If it still works, it is generic and needs a fact from this scenario.
“Because honesty is important” survives every swap. “Because the fund belongs to the whole class and a missing RM15 would be noticed at the end of term” does not, since it names facts that belong to this case.
Worked example: generic reason against specific reason
Scenario (original). Zul borrows a library book and accidentally tears the cover. The library closes in ten minutes.
He could slip the book into the return box and leave.
Question: Explain what Zul should do and why.
Generic reason. “Zul should tell the librarian because responsibility is important and it is the right thing to do.”
Specific reason. “Zul should tell the librarian about the torn cover, because the next student will borrow a damaged book and the library may not know who to ask to repair it. If he admits it now, the librarian can mend it before it gets worse.”
The specific reason uses three facts: a borrowed book, a torn cover and the next borrower. It fails the swap test, which is what you want.
Three places to find a fact
Look in the scenario for:
- A person affected: a younger student, a teammate, a shopkeeper.
- A thing at stake: the class fund, a deadline, a borrowed book.
- A time or place: it is exam week, it is after school, nobody is watching.
Choose the fact that most directly explains why the action is sensible. Then write “because” followed by that fact.
The mistake: the reason that repeats the value
The common slip is to write a reason that is only the value again. “He should be fair because fairness is good for everyone” repeats “fair” twice and adds nothing from the scenario.
| Part | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Zul should tell the librarian | Zul should tell the librarian |
| Reason | “Because honesty is good” | “Because the next borrower would find a torn cover” |
| Verdict | Fits any scenario | Uses facts from this one |
Replace the value with a fact, and the reason belongs to the scenario.
Check yourself
Scenario (original). Nadia reads a notice that the school swimming pool will be closed on Monday for repairs. A junior girl asks her if the pool is open on Monday.
Nadia is tired of answering the same question. Question: Give a rational reason why Nadia should tell her the truth.
Answer
A generic reason would be “because honesty is important”. A scenario-specific reason uses the facts: the junior could carry her swimming kit to the pool for nothing, and she asked Nadia a direct question.
Sample: “Nadia should tell the junior the pool is closed on Monday, because the junior would otherwise carry her kit to school and wait at a closed pool. Nadia knows the answer, and the junior is relying on her.”
What to study next
Go on to avoiding value-name lists without application. Then use the values and concepts practice set to test the skill across different scenarios.
If you would like a teacher to test your reasons with you, see online one-to-one Pendidikan Moral tuition or the one-hour trial class (from RM50).