Welcome

A Framework for Thinking Ethically

Adapted from work done by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making
Outline
• Why talk about ethics?
• What is ethics?
• Approaches to ethics
• A framework for ethical decision making
• Application

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 Why?

• Time pressure
• Financial pressure
• To please the boss
• To protect the company
• Everybody else is doing it
• I’m looking out for those who work for me
• To be a team player
• I have to, just to keep up
• No one will ever know

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The Cheating Culture (David Callahan
2004)
• “Free cable television”
• “Imaginary tax deductions”
• “Do you take your chance to cheat?”

• There is too much to gain.

• There is too much to lose.

• The watchdogs are asleep.

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Can You Teach Ethics?
• Socrates:

• “Ethics consists of knowing what we ought to do,

and such knowledge can be taught.”

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Stages of Moral Thought
(Kohlberg)
• Child – defines right and wrong in terms of what
authorities say

• Adolescent – defines right and wrong in terms of

group loyalty (friends, family, gang, nation)

• Adult – views right and wrong from universal

standards of justice, human rights, and human
welfare

Education is what stimulates growth through levels.

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Codes of Ethics & Ethical Guides

• Codes suggest that a breach of the code will

automatically lead to a sanction – there is no
individual discretion

• Guides suggest that there is individual

interpretation as to the ethics of the actions
taken. Individuals have discretion.

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What Is Ethics?

• Ethics is not the same as feelings.

• Ethics is not religion.

• Ethics is not following the law.

• Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms.

• Ethics is not science.

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Two Fundamental Problems

1. On what do we base our ethical standards?

2. How do those standards get applied to specific

situations we face?

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The Utilitarian Approach
• Focuses on the consequences that actions or
policies have on the well-being of all persons
directly or indirectly affected by the action or
policy.

• The principle states: "Of any two actions, the

most ethical one will produce the greatest
balance of benefits over harms."

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The Rights Approach
• Ethical action is the one that best protects and
respects the moral rights of those affected.

• Each person has a fundamental right to be

respected and treated as a free and equal
rational person capable of making his or her own
decisions.

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The Fairness Approach
• Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions
distribute benefits and burdens among the
members of a group.

• Fairness requires consistency in the way people

are treated.

• The principle states: "Treat people the same

unless there are morally relevant differences
between them."

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The Common Good Approach

• Presents a vision of society as a community

whose members are joined in a shared pursuit of
values and goals they hold in common.

• The community is comprised of individuals whose

own good is inextricably bound to the good of the
whole.

• The principle states: "What is ethical is what

advances the common good."

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The Virtue Approach
• Focuses on attitudes, dispositions, or character
traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that
develop our human potential.

• Examples: honesty, courage, faithfulness,

trustworthiness, integrity, etc.

• The principle states: "What is ethical is what

develops moral virtues in ourselves and our
communities."

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Problems With These Approaches

• We may not agree on the same set of human

and civil rights, what constitutes the common
good, what is good and what is harmful.

• The different approaches may not answer the

question “What is ethical?” in the same way.

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How To Make an Ethical Decision

• Recognise that decisions have ethical

implications

• Develop a method for exploring the ethical

aspects of a decision

• Discuss with others

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Recognise an Ethical Issue

• Is there something wrong personally,

interpersonally, or socially? Could the
conflict, the situation, or the decision be
damaging to people or to the community?

• Does the issue go beyond legal or

institutional
concerns? What does it do to people, who
have dignity, rights, and hopes for a better
life together?
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Get the Facts
• What are the relevant facts of the case?
• What facts are unknown?

• What individuals and groups have an important

stake in the outcome?
• Do some have a greater stake because they have a
special need or because we have special obligations
to them?

• What are the options for acting?

• Have all the relevant persons and groups been
consulted?
• If you showed your list of options to someone you
respect, what would that person say? 19
Evaluate Alternative
Responses

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 Utilitarian Approach:

• The ethical action is the one that will

produce the greatest balance of benefits
over harms.

• Which option will produce the most good and do

the least harm?

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Rights Approach:

• The ethical action is the one that most

dutifully respects the rights of all affected.

• Even if not everyone gets all they want, will

everyone's rights and dignity still be respected?

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Fairness or Justice Approach:

• The ethical action is the one that treats people

equally, or if unequally, that treats people
proportionately and fairly.

• Which option is fair to all stakeholders?

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Common Good Approach:

• The ethical action is the one that contributes

most to the achievement of a quality common
life together.

• Which option would help all participate more fully in

the life we share as a family, community, society?

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Virtue Approach

• The ethical action is the one that embodies

the habits and values of humans at their best.

• Would you want to become the sort of person who

acts this way (e.g., a person of courage or
compassion)?

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Make a Decision and Test It

• Considering all these perspectives, which of the

options is the right or best thing to do?

• If you told someone you respect why you chose

this option, what would that person say? If you
had to explain your decision on television, would
you be comfortable doing so?

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Act, Then Reflect on the Decision Later

• Implement your decision.

• How did it turn out for all concerned?

• If you had it to do over again, what would you do

differently?

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Everyday Ethics: 5 Questions
1. Did I practice any virtues today?

2. Did I do more harm than good today?

3. Did I treat people with dignity and respect

today?

4. Was I fair and just today?

5. Was my community better because I was in it?

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Personal Advice
• Set clear expectations.

• “Those who are faithful in little things will be

faithful in big things”.

• Maintain margin

• “Run your own race” – define success for

yourself.

• Recognise the trap

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Quotes
"Our character is what we do when we think no one
is looking.“
Jackson Browne

"Sow an act...reap a habit;

Sow a habit...reap a character;
Sow a character...reap a destiny."
• George Dana Boardman

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Thank You

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