Transcript A Framework for Ethical Decision Making

Chapter 4
A Framework for Ethical Decision Making
1
Ethical Decision
• Ethical Decision Making Process is the
processes of choosing the best alternative for
achieving the best results or outcomes
compliance with individual and social values,
moral, and regulations.
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?
Ethical Dilemma Defined
• 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 lesser man-power is required for the
organization.
• The entrepreneur is now in an ethical dilemma whether
he wants to better his clients with good services or be
loyal to his employees who have helped the company
grow.
• The unpleasantness of the situation arises when neither
the clients nor the employees deserve to suffer and it is
the entrepreneur’s call to take.
The Framework Overview
• Step One: Describe the problem
• Step Two: Determine whether there is an ethical issue or
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
• Dilemma becomes ethical when the good or bad
options seem to have a moral component
(e.g. privacy vs. avoidance of harm,
freedom vs. safety).
• 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(‫ )تعدل‬or 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.