Ethical dilemma: Should Pere Rose be reinstated into baseball

 

Moral/Ethical Issues:

• Honesty and Integrity: The acts of betting on games were seen as violations of the integrity of the sport.
• Justice vs. Mercy: Balancing the punishment for past actions with the consideration of their contributions to the sport and their posthumous eligibility for the Hall of Fame.
• Legacy and Reputation: The impact of their actions on their personal and professional legacies.

Choice Between X and Y:

• X: Upholding the lifetime ban to maintain the integrity of the sport and adhere to established rules.
• Y: Removing the ban posthumously to honor their contributions and allow for Hall of Fame consideration.

False Dichotomies, Assumptions, or Fallacies:

• False Assumption: The assumption that removing the ban validates their past actions rather than acknowledging their place in baseball history.
• False Dichotomy: The belief that you can only choose between punishing past actions or honoring their contributions, ignoring potential middle grounds.

Actors and Issues:

• MLB: The governing body that initially imposed the ban and later removed it.
• Historical Overview Committee: Responsible for considering players for the Hall of Fame.
• Fans and Historians: Those who debate the merits of the ban and their eligibility.

Right vs. Wrong Issues:

• Violation of Law: The original infractions were against MLB rules.
• Departure from Truth: The ethical question of whether past actions should define a player's legacy.
• Deviation from Moral Rectitude: The integrity of the sport vs. the personal integrity of the players.

Tests:

• Stench Test: Removing the ban might be seen as cleansing the sport's history by acknowledging past mistakes.
• Front-Page Test: How the decision would be perceived publicly.
• Mom Test: Would you explain this decision to your child as fair or just?

Dilemma Paradigms:

• Justice vs. Mercy: Balancing punishment with forgiveness.
• Self vs. Community: The players' actions affected both themselves and the baseball community.

Resolution Principles:

• Utilitarian Principle: What benefits the greatest number of people? In this case, many fans and historians support the players' legacies.
• Kantian Duty Principle: Adhere to rules and principles consistently, but also consider the moral obligation to honor contributions.
• Care/Compassion/Empathy Principle: Consider the impact on families and fans of the players.
• Golden Rule Principle: Treat others as you would like to be treated; apply fairness and understanding.

Aristotelian Golden Mean:

• Middle Ground: Honoring their contributions while acknowledging past mistakes, perhaps through a special recognition rather than full Hall of Fame induction.

Other Philosophical Perspectives:

• Ayn Rand: Emphasize individual rights and contributions; recognize their achievements despite past mistakes.
• Neo-Tech: Focus on the value of the players' contributions to the sport.
• Christianity: Consider forgiveness and redemption.
• Judaism: Emphasize justice and mercy.
• Pragmatism: Evaluate the decision based on practical outcomes and societal acceptance.

Hierarchy of Values Involved:

1. Integrity of the Sport
2. Legacy and Contribution
3. Fairness and Justice
4. Compassion and Empathy
5. Historical Accuracy
6. Public Perception
7. Redemption and Forgiveness

References
[1] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45133748/lesson-pete-rose-shoeless-joe-history-messy
[2] https://abcnews.go.com/US/pete-rose-players-removed-mlb-banned-list-eligible/story?id=121769871
[3] https://www.instagram.com/p/DJozAmquf-G/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjGmJo1EOhg
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8_H7MkWFkc

Sources

1 The Evolution of Morality: Exploring Kohlberg's Theory, Paperback – March 26, 2024 by Freudian Trips (Author)

2 How Good People Make Tough Choices by Rushworth M. Kidder

3 Moral Development and Reality: Beyond the Theories of Kohlberg, Hoffman, and Haidt 4th Edition by John C. Gibbs (Author)

4 Critical Thinking by Brooke Noel Moore and Richard Parker

In addition:

Within the framework of synchronistic theistic monism (Synthemon), every event in the cosmos—including institutional decisions like MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s reinstatement of banned players—must be viewed through the lens of interconnectedness, divine intentionality, and the meaningful weaving of physical and spiritual realities.

First, Synthemon emphasizes that the cosmos is a holistic, interconnected system where actions, even those taken after the passing of individuals, can have symbolic and synchronistic resonance. The reinstatement of deceased players like Peter Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson is not merely a bureaucratic or political act; it is part of a larger tapestry of meaning, reflecting the possibility of redemption, reconciliation, and the acknowledgment of past complexities within the cosmic order. In this sense, the act itself may serve as a synchronistic event—bridging historical injustices with present consciousness, and offering a symbolic gesture of healing or closure for the collective psyche of baseball and its followers [1].

From the perspective of divine intentionality, Synthemon would ask: Does this decision align with the greater good, truth, and the unfolding of God’s plan? If the reinstatement fosters greater unity, understanding, and reflection on the nature of justice, forgiveness, and human fallibility, it can be seen as participating in the divine order. However, if it is merely a political maneuver that ignores deeper truths or fails to address the spiritual lessons embedded in the original bans, it may be viewed as out of sync with the cosmos’s purposeful integration [1].

Synthemon also recognizes the importance of symbolic actions—such as public acts of forgiveness or acknowledgment—which can have ripple effects in both the material and spiritual realms. The mixed reactions from the media and former players are themselves part of the synchronistic unfolding, revealing the unity of opposites (Heraclitean flux) and inviting deeper contemplation about justice, legacy, and the meaning of redemption [1].

In summary, Synthemon does not judge the decision as absolutely good or bad in isolation. Instead, it asks whether the decision participates in the cosmic pattern of reconciliation, truth, and unity. If the act is genuinely oriented toward healing and integration, it can be seen as a positive synchronistic event. If it is disconnected from these deeper purposes, it may be less aligned with the divine order. Ultimately, all such actions are woven into the greater whole, and their true significance may only be revealed through time and reflection on their synchronicities and spiritual meanings [1].

Sources

1 Synchronic Theistic Monism: an Ebook that explains Tarot, I Ching, and more. https://manypossibilities1.blogspot.com/2025/04/theistic-dual-aspect-monism.html