Rational & Irrational Decisions

During Friday’s class, Dr. Layne covered the reasoning behind rational and irrational decisions; specifically how the rational part of the soul (reason) and the irrational part (desire) must harmoniously be in accordance so that an action can be considered virtuous. Now that I’ve had time to think of it, I believe we all are motivated by various reasoning to take a certain course of action. But then again, can’t we rationalize virtually any decision? It still doesn't make that decision "right". So the next question would be who determines what’s right and what's wrong? Can’t a person live by their own set of moral principles and standards? Throughout my questioning, I couldn’t help but relate these thoughts to the great film: “The Dark Knight”. What Batman does is clearly against the law. What exactly separates him from a vigilante? Yes, he helps people and he has very honorable reasons that motivate him, but yet if he is caught; he will be prosecuted. Does that mean he should discontinue his mission? Only he can answer that. Did Batman make the right decision at the end of the film to take the blame for the murders committed by Harvey Dent? Who knows? What’s safe to say is that he remained true to himself and his principles making a decision that will have a ripple effect on Gotham City and numerous of individuals both directly and indirectly for years to come. Human history is made up of countless choices by people for all kind of reasons which has lead us up to the present time. In the end, you just hope that things work out for the best for everyone.