How do you make an ethical decision?

How do you make an ethical decision? I always get this question from my students.

While researching for recent trends in ethical thinking, I came across the Ethics webpage of Santa Clara University. Here, I was reintroduced to this framework for ethical decision making. We have tried using this framework in the monthly Ethical conference we have with medical interns in a government hospital in Manila. What is good about this framework is that it allows the medical students to think ethically. During the conference, medical students engage with each other and discuss which ethical standards will guide them in making a decision. (Watch out for my next entry on their discussions.)

Here is another example of making an ethical decision.

Below is a useful guide for ethical decision making whenever you encounter ethical issues. 

 A Framework for Ethical Decision Making

Recognize an Ethical Issue

1.       Could this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group?

Does this decision involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two "goods" or between two "bads"?

2.       Is this issue about more than what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?

Get the Facts

1.       What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the situation? Do I know enough to make a decision?

2.       What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are some concerns more important? Why?

3.       What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? Have I identified creative options?

 Evaluate Alternative Actions

1.       Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:

Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)

Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)

Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)

Which option best serves the community as a whole, not just some members? (The Common Good Approach)

Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)

Make a Decision and Test It

1.       Considering all these approaches, which option best addresses the situation?

2.       If I told someone I respect-or told a television audience-which option I have chosen, what would they say?

 Act and Reflect on the Outcome

1.       How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?

2.       How did my decision turn out and what have I learned from this specific situation?

 This framework for thinking ethically is the product of dialogue and debate at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Primary contributors include Manuel Velasquez, Dennis Moberg, Michael J. Meyer, Thomas Shanks, Margaret R. McLean, David DeCosse, Claire André, and Kirk O. Hanson. It was last revised in May 2009. - See more at: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html#sthash.rMJW1mW5.dpuf