Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Decision Making, Ethical Theories Chapter 3

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethical Decision Making , Ethical Theories

Chapter 3


Making Ethical Decisions

• Making good ethical decisions to solve Ethical Dilemma requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision.

• Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential.

• Ethical decision should be based on ethical principles and codes rather than on emotions, thoughts, fixed policies.


Ethical Dilemma

• Ethical dilemma: is a situation with uncertainty about what is right to do from a moral or ethical perspective.

• For example, the manager of a company may be put in a position in which he must choose between the interests of his employees and his investors. Give more profits or increase the salary?


The Framework Overview

• Step One: Describe the problem• Step Two: Determine whether there is an ethical dilemma• Step Three: Identify and rank the key values and principles• Step Four: Gather your information• Step Five: Review any applicable Code of Ethics• Step Six: Determine the options• Step Seven: Select a course of action• Step Eight: Put your plan into action.• Step Nine: Evaluate the results.


Step One: Describe the problem.

• You must first describe the problem and ensure that it’s actually a moral dilemma that needs to follow an ethical model.

• Consider the nature of the problem and any signs of the problem and ensure that you’re attempting to solve the issue and not just it’s signs.

• Circumstances affect the problem definition (for whom does the problem exist ? What is the surroundings?)


Step Two: Determine whether there is an ethical dilemma.

• Terms of an ethical dilemma must be ethical in nature, not legal.

• If something is a law, you then have the ethical choice to follow the law or not.


Step Three: Identify and rank the key values and principles.

• What reasons can you provide for prioritizing one competing value over another?

• Understand that a decision to a dilemma which goes against an individual’s personal set of values has very little chance of success.


Step Four: Gather Your Information

• Do you have all the known facts?• Do you understand the applicable laws or

legalities?• Do you have all relevant policies available to

review?• Are you clear about the individual’s views and

personal values?* Don’t hesitate to seek out consultation.


Step Five: Review Any Applicable Code of Ethics

• Look for the following:-- mission statement-- values base of the organization-- ethical principles to guide practice-- ethical standards

• Codes can be revised or updated as needed.


Step Six: Determine the Options

• List all possible actionable options.• Weigh the cost/benefits of each option.• Seek out additional points of view.


Step Seven: Select a Course of Action

1) Remove the least desirable option.2) Remove any which you can not put into

action.3) Remove any options which break the values

systems of those affected.4) Recognize that your final choice will be

impacted by your personal values.


Step Eight: Put your plan into action.

• Think about the outcomes with a sense that you have truly approached this ethical dilemma with the best of intentions and to the best of your ability.


Step Nine: Evaluate the Results

• Evaluate the cost for each person involved (client, family members, co-workers, agency, etc.)

• Consider submitting your most difficult cases to an ethics review board for feedback.


Ethical Dilemma

• Example 2 :• A new technology is being launched which is good

for the company as well as the customers. But, if this is brought into use, a less man-power is required for the organization.

• The entrepreneur is now in an ethical dilemma whether he wants to satisfy his customers with good services or be loyal to his employees who have helped the company grow.

• The unpleasantness of the situation arises when neither the customers nor the employees deserve to suffer and it is the entrepreneur’s call to take.


Ethical Theories

• Different ethical theories exist and theories can be applied to different situations to inform our thinking and support decision making.


1. Consequentialism: العواقبية ))

• Consequentialist ethics holds the view that the correct moral response is related to the

outcome, or consequence, of the act. • The central aim is the principle of 'maximising

the greatest good for the greatest number'. • The 'good' referred to a variety of ways and

may refer to values or 'utility' such as happiness, or another life enhancing outcome.

Ethical Theories


2. Deontology : " - وواجب التزام الواجبة "األخالق

على سلوك أي أخالقيات مدى على تحكم التي المعيارية األخالق هيالمعايير أو للقواعد السلوك هذا مالءمة أساسمدى

Deontology is based on duties and rights and respects individuals as ends in themselves. بحد كغاية

It places value on the intentions of the individual ذاته(rather than the outcomes of any action) and focuses on rules, obligations and duties.

• Deontology requires absolute adherence to these obligations and acting from duty is viewed as acting ethically. التزام

Ethical Theories


3. Virtue Ethics : الفضيلة اخالق

• The key difference between consequentialism deontology and virtue ethics is that the final

emphasizes the moral character, or virtues of the individual.

• Virtue ethics has emerged due to the perceived deficits المتصور in ethical theories such as العجزconsequentialism and deontology for healthcare, honesty and kindness.

Ethical Theories


• The virtues are fixed character traits which are held to be societally valuable such as truth-telling, trustworthiness,

• Practical wisdom relates to how the virtues are applied or performed. • Virtue ethics is about an individual of good

character doing the right thing.

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Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Decision Making, Ethical Theories Chapter 3