Option-itis

Life today has become a series of options to choose from.

While working on the computer we are continuously assailed to decide on which option we prefer for our text. While relaxing at a good meal in a restaurant we are faced with various options on what to eat and drink. Our university students need to decide which degree course to take and within that which of the optional study units to choose. As soon as they wake up, children are asked what they want for breakfast, which cereal, which fruit juice, which bread.

This same options mentality, which I call "option-itis", has also penetrated into our "free" choice of a religion and even within each faith to decide what we want to believe. Our belonging to a particular religious denomination has been reduced to a "menu a la carte" or to buying one's goods at a supermarket.

The fact that life presents us with various options to choose from is in itself positive. It helps us discern which is the best way to achieve our goals, to meet our expectations, to fulfil our needs, and to satisfy our tastes.

However, choosing among many attractive options is becoming something absolute, an end in itself, rather than serving as an awareness of possible alternatives offered to us. We want all options open at all times and no one should dare deprive us of any of these options. They have become fundamental rights. No distinction is made between healthy or valid options and illegitimate ones. Relativism is prevalent. For example, pro-life and pro-choice regarding abortion are presented as equally valid options left for the individual to decide what's best for them. There are times when someone has to stand up and affirm "That is not a morally-acceptable option".

We also need to realise that saying "yes" to one option often implies saying "no" to all others. Once an option is chosen, there is an accompanying commitment. It is true that part of the process in decision making is weighing the various options available. Yet, the criteria for considering an option to be acceptable should not be limited to its being feasible, realistic and pragmatic. The ethical considerations and implications of the options discussed should be an integral part of the process. The kind of values being preferred, - explicitly or implicitly in choosing an option - cannot be ignored.

Pluralism is part of living in a democratic society. Seeking the common good is obviously the ultimate goal for choosing the best option in society. Different options may be presented as ways to achieve the common good. But these cannot all be placed on the same scale. Certain options are more compatible than others with basic human values like justice, integrity, solidarity, respect, human dignity, etc.

Finally, there are some fundamental options we need to take regarding our lifestyle, our family, our work, our political ideologies, our society, our faith.

Fr Darmanin is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in the University of Malta's Department of Psychology.