Steps of Ethical Decision Making
The 9 Steps of the Ethical Decision-Making Process - answer1. Gather the Facts
2. Define the ethical issues
3. Identify the affected parties (stakeholders)
4. Identify the consequences
5. Identify the obligations (principles, rights, justice)
6. Consider your character and integrity
7. Think creatively about potential actions
8. Check your gut
9. Decide on the proper ethical action and be prepared to deal with opposing
arguments.
Step one title - answer Gather the facts
Step one components - answer-Don't jump to conclusions without the facts
-Questions to ask: Who, what, where, when, how, and why.
-However, facts may be difficult to find because of the uncertainty often found around
ethical issues
-Some facts are not available
-Assemble as many facts as possible before proceeding
-Clarify what assumptions you are making!
Step two title - answerDefine the ethical issues
Step two components - answer-Don't jump to solutions without first identifying the
ethical issue(s) in the situation.
-Define the ethical basis for the issue you want to focus on.
-There may be multiple ethical issues - focus on one major one at a time.
Step three title - answerIdentify the affected parties
Step three components - answer-Identify all of the stakeholders
-Who are the primary or direct stakeholders?
-Who are the secondary or indirect stakeholders?
-Why are they stakeholders for the issue?
-Perspective-taking
Step four title - answerIdentify the consequences
Step four components - answer-Think about potential positive and negative
consequences for affected parties by the decision.
The 9 Steps of the Ethical Decision-Making Process - answer1. Gather the Facts
2. Define the ethical issues
3. Identify the affected parties (stakeholders)
4. Identify the consequences
5. Identify the obligations (principles, rights, justice)
6. Consider your character and integrity
7. Think creatively about potential actions
8. Check your gut
9. Decide on the proper ethical action and be prepared to deal with opposing
arguments.
Step one title - answer Gather the facts
Step one components - answer-Don't jump to conclusions without the facts
-Questions to ask: Who, what, where, when, how, and why.
-However, facts may be difficult to find because of the uncertainty often found around
ethical issues
-Some facts are not available
-Assemble as many facts as possible before proceeding
-Clarify what assumptions you are making!
Step two title - answerDefine the ethical issues
Step two components - answer-Don't jump to solutions without first identifying the
ethical issue(s) in the situation.
-Define the ethical basis for the issue you want to focus on.
-There may be multiple ethical issues - focus on one major one at a time.
Step three title - answerIdentify the affected parties
Step three components - answer-Identify all of the stakeholders
-Who are the primary or direct stakeholders?
-Who are the secondary or indirect stakeholders?
-Why are they stakeholders for the issue?
-Perspective-taking
Step four title - answerIdentify the consequences
Step four components - answer-Think about potential positive and negative
consequences for affected parties by the decision.
