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Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical values

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15 views3 pages

Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical values

Uploaded by

nadeemkhan74296
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ethical Decision-Making Models

Lecture 9: Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks

Lecture Overview:
This lecture will introduce students to ethical decision-making frameworks that provide a
structured approach for addressing ethical dilemmas in professional and personal settings. Students
will learn a step-by-step process to evaluate and resolve ethical challenges and apply tools for
ethical reasoning and judgment to make sound, morally justified decisions.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
1. Understand the importance of a structured framework for ethical decision-making.
2. Apply a step-by-step process to resolve ethical dilemmas.
3. Use ethical reasoning tools to evaluate potential solutions.
4. Make informed, ethical judgments that align with professional codes of ethics.

Introduction:
Ethical dilemmas arise when there are conflicting values, duties, or interests, and the right course
of action may not be immediately clear. A structured framework helps professionals navigate these
dilemmas systematically, ensuring that decisions are not only legally sound but ethically
justifiable.

Why Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks Matter:


 Consistency: Helps in making decisions that are consistent with ethical standards and
professional codes.
 Objectivity: Ensures decisions are based on reason rather than emotions or biases.
 Accountability: Creates transparency in decision-making processes, fostering
accountability.
 Trust: Ethical decisions build trust with stakeholders, colleagues, and clients.

The Step-by-Step Process for Resolving Ethical Dilemmas:


Let’s break down the ethical decision-making process into a 7-step framework:

Step 1: Identify the Ethical Dilemma


 Description: The first step is to recognize that there is an ethical issue at hand. This
involves:
o Identifying conflicting values, duties, or interests.
o Recognizing potential harm to individuals, organizations, or the public.
 Example: A doctor is pressured by a pharmaceutical company to promote a drug despite
knowing it has side effects that could harm patients.

Step 2: Gather Relevant Information


 Description: Gather all necessary facts to understand the situation fully. This includes:
o Stakeholders involved and affected by the decision.
o Legal, organizational, or professional rules that apply.
o Potential consequences of various actions.
 Example: The doctor reviews the medical research, consults with colleagues, and
examines the pharmaceutical company’s promotional materials.

Step 3: Consider the Ethical Options


 Description: Explore the available options for resolving the dilemma. Consider different
courses of action, including:
o Doing nothing (which can also have ethical implications).
o Making a compromise.
o Acting in a way that benefits the majority while minimizing harm.
 Example: The doctor could:
1. Refuse to promote the drug.
2. Promote the drug with full transparency about its side effects.
3. Report the company's behavior to a regulatory authority.

Step 4: Evaluate the Options Using Ethical Theories


 Description: Apply ethical principles and theories to evaluate each option. Consider:
o Utilitarianism: Which action will produce the greatest good for the greatest
number?
o Deontology: What are the professional duties or obligations? Is any action
inherently right or wrong?
o Virtue Ethics: Which action is aligned with virtuous behavior such as honesty,
courage, or compassion?
 Example:
o Utilitarianism: Promoting the drug transparently may help the most patients.
o Deontology: The doctor has a duty to prioritize patient safety.
o Virtue Ethics: Reporting the company demonstrates integrity and courage.

Step 5: Consider the Consequences


 Description: Assess the potential consequences of each option for all stakeholders.
Consider:
o Short-term and long-term effects.
o Consequences for individuals, organizations, and society.
 Example: Promoting the drug could lead to harm for patients, while refusing to promote
the drug might damage the doctor’s relationship with the company or limit patient access
to treatment.

Step 6: Make the Decision


 Description: Based on the evaluation in the previous steps, choose the course of action
that best aligns with ethical principles and the most positive outcomes. This step also
requires courage and commitment to ethical action.
 Example: The doctor decides to refuse to promote the drug and report the issue to a
regulatory body to ensure patient safety.

Step 7: Act and Reflect on the Outcome


 Description: Implement the decision and monitor its effects. Ethical decision-making is
ongoing, so it’s essential to:
o Reflect on whether the decision achieved the desired outcome.
o Consider whether any adjustments need to be made.
 Example: The doctor sees that after reporting the issue, the regulatory body launches an
investigation, and the company revises its marketing materials. Reflecting on the decision,
the doctor is confident it was the right ethical choice.

Ethical Reasoning Tools:


To make ethical decisions more effectively, there are several reasoning tools that professionals can
use to support their judgments:

1. The "Four A's" Tool:


 Awareness: Be aware of the ethical issues involved in the situation.
 Analysis: Analyze the ethical options and their consequences.
 Action: Take action based on the analysis.
 Accountability: Be accountable for the outcome and take responsibility.

2. The "TARES" Test (used for ethical communication and media decisions):
 T: Is the message Truthful?
 A: Is the communicator Authentic?
 R: Does the action show Respect for others?
 E: Is the decision Equitable?
 S: Is the communication Socially responsible?

3. The "PLUS" Decision-Making Model (an acronym used for ethical decision-making in
business contexts):
 P: Policies – Does the action align with the organization's policies?
 L: Legal – Is the action compliant with legal requirements?
 U: Universal – Does it conform to universal values such as honesty and fairness?
 S: Self – Does the decision satisfy personal standards of behavior?

In-Class Activity: Case Study Discussion


Case Study: Students will be presented with an ethical dilemma in a professional setting (e.g., a
data privacy issue in a tech company or a conflict of interest in business).
 Students will work in groups to apply the 7-step framework to resolve the dilemma.
 Each group will present its decision-making process and justify the ethical choice using
the tools discussed.

Conclusion:
Ethical decision-making is not always easy, but by following a structured framework,
professionals can navigate complex situations with confidence. Using ethical reasoning tools
ensures that decisions are well-thought-out, principled, and aligned with both personal and
professional values.

Suggested Readings:
 "Moral Issues in Business" by William H. Shaw and Vincent Barry.
 "Ethics for the Real World: Creating a Personal Code to Guide Decisions in Work
and Life" by Ronald A. Howard and Clinton D. Korver.
This lecture provides students with a strong foundation in ethical decision-making frameworks,
ensuring they can approach ethical challenges with critical thinking and sound judgment.

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