Chapter 6

4 Classic Theories Of Ethics

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Decision-making tools

4 classic

theories of ethics that can help you make moral decisions in journalism.

By Flickr user AJ Cann

The 4 Theories

1. Rule-based thinking.

2. Ends-based thinking.

3. The Golden Rule.

4. Aristotle’s Golden

Mean.

1. Rule-based Thinking

• Follow the rule, no matter what the consequences. “Let the chips fall where they may.”

• Strength: Simple

• Weakness: Rigid. A journalist with an ethical dilemma would be paralyzed by indecision

• Also called: deontology from the Greek (deon) for duty, or

duty-based thinking

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1. Rule-based Thinking

• Examples:

• Would never quote an anonymous source.

• Would name a rape victim

• Would name a child charged with a crime

• Would include all the mistakes committed by the dead person in that person’s obituary

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2. Ends-based thinking

• Seek the greatest good for the greatest number. “Ends can justify the means.”

• Strength: Flexibility

• Weaknesses: Flexibility: decision may be self-serving instead of morally correct; and consequences sometimes hard to predict.

• Also called:

• teleology from the Greek (telos) for end, or

• consequentialism, or

• utilitarianism

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2. Ends-based thinking

• Examples:

• Would pretend to be someone he or she is not if it were the only way to get an important story

• Would leave out harmful facts from a person’s obituary if they are irrelevant to the story’s main point. Would inflict only the harm necessary to put the story in perspective.

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Rule-based or ends-based?

Did Robin Hood use rule-based or ends-based thinking?

3. The Golden Rule

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Put yourself in the place of the person affected by the decision. Found in all the world’s major religions.

• Strength: Easy to understand and apply. Based on love, not self-interest.

• Weakness: Cannot tell a journalist how to decide among competing stakeholders

• Also called:

• Rule of reversibility

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3. The Golden Rule

• Examples:

• Would not write a story subjecting people to ridicule because the reporter does not want to be ridiculed.

• Would not secretly record a source because the reporter would not want to be secretly recorded.

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4. Aristotle’s Golden Mean

• Avoids extremes to find a moderate solution.

• Strength: May lead you to an ethical resolution of an impasse.

• Weaknesses: Not every situation offers a golden mean.

• Examples:

• Warning audience members about a graphic photo

• Taxing tobacco, banning advertising and sales to children of tobacco, requiring warnings on tobacco B

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Aristotle, Greek philosopher,

lived 385-322 B.C.

Blending Two Theories

Journalists can benefit from:

• The stability of newsroom policies and ethics codes (rule-based thinking) …

• While sensing when the circumstances might dictate a different solution (ends-based thinking).

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By Phil Whitehouse

When to break the rules

• Don’t decide on a whim to deviate from policy.

• Analyze carefully to identify the reasons for a different course.

• Consult with your supervisor.

In 1971, did The New York Times use rule-based or ends-

based thinking in deciding to publish the Pentagon Papers?

Rule-based or ends-based?

Question

In 1971, what would The New York Times have done if it used

rule-based thinking in the Pentagon Papers case?

Rule-based or ends-based?

In 2010, did The New York Times use rule-based or ends-

based thinking in deciding to publish the previously secret

cables released by Julian Assange of Wikileaks?

Question

In 2010, what would The New York Times have done if it had

used rule-based thinking in deciding whether to publish the

previously secret cables released by Julian Assange of

Wikileaks?