Speech 1311

 ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING CASE STUDY 

Ethical Decision-Making Essay Grading Rubric

Revised May 2017

Name: _________________________Course/Section Number: ______________ Grade: ______ / 100

NM = not met minimum NI= needs improvement A = average G = good E= excellent

NM

NI

A

G

E

Section 1 _____ 10 pts

Introduction
· Purpose of the essay is clear to the audience.
· Ethical dilemma is explained clearly. (evaluated in Idea Development)
· Writer addresses why the dilemma calls for an ethical decision.
· Relevant background information is given.
· Thesis is restated and audience understands what will follow.

Section 2 _____ 30 pts

Organization
· Paragraphs start with a topic sentence.
· Sentences support the paragraph’s main ideas.
· Paragraphs are unified and coherent supporting the thesis.
· Logical progression of ideas with a clear structure and sequence.
· Transitions effectively connect sentences and paragraph.
· Conclusion provides closure and restates thesis.

Writing Style and Mechanics
· Writing is smooth, skillful and coherent.
· Variety in sentence structure; effective word choice; no repetition.
· Academic tone and diction are appropriate for essay’s purpose and audience.
· Minimal errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, and mechanics; no comma splices and run-on sentences.
· The essay reflects a sense of audience.

Section 3 _____40 pts

Use of Sources and Evidence
· Demonstrates skillful use of high quality, credible, relevant sources.
· Evaluates information from sources. Correctly interprets author’s meaning.
· Fully develops and supports ideas using relevant source information.
· Facts are distinguished from opinions.
· Opinions are supported and qualified.
· Opposing views are represented fairly.
Idea Development and Critical Thinking
· Clearly explains the ethical dilemma, ethical standards, implications and consequences of decisions.
· Discusses what they would do if faced with this dilemma and the ethical standard they would use to make the decision.
· Considers how the ethical standard is similar or different from their own core beliefs and ethical values.
· Explains the origin of their core beliefs. Shows how their core beliefs evolved and influences their ethical conduct, thinking, and decision-making today.

Section 4 _____ 20 pts

In-text citations and References
· Outside sources are integrated smoothly in the essay.
· The essay includes correctly formatted in-text citations and a correct References page.
· APA guidelines are followed.
· Two different sources are cited in-text and on the reference page.

ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING CASE STUDY

Essay Directions

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

The case study for this ethical decision essay assignment was written by Chloe Wilson and is titled Picking Up the Slack, which presents a common ethical dilemma that you find when working on a team. Your assignment is to write an essay analyzing this ethical scenario. The following are the steps to follow:

· Read Picking Up the Slack case study so you understand the ethical dilemma that Greg is facing.

· Explain why this is an ethical issue that requires an ethical decision.

· Now learn about the different ethical standards that can be used when making an ethical decision. When facing an ethical situation, one way to determine what action to take is to evaluate the situation using the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards discussed in the article titled A Framework for Thinking Ethically.

· After reading the Framework article, learn more about ethical decision-making by finding at least two other sources that you will use in your essay. One of these sources may be your Think Communication or Practically Speaking textbook. More sources are listed on the last page of this assignment under References.
Feel free to explore this topic using other articles or books.

· Once you understand the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards, analyze Greg’s dilemma from more than one ethical standard. Determine the action Greg should take if he applied these ethical standards. Consider the consequences and possible outcomes of his actions.

·
Glossary of Ethical Terms
is listed on the third page of this assignment.

· Also at the end of the Framework article, there is information about a free Ethical Decision Making app for your mobile device that you might find useful; however, this is not required. I found this app to be interesting as it can be used for future ethical dilemmas and does not just apply to this assignment.

· Now that you know more about ethical decision-making and determined a course of action based on these approaches, analyze this dilemma from your own ethical perspective. If you were Greg, what would you do? Which ethical standard would you apply if you were in this situation?

· Last discuss the ethical values and core beliefs that influence your ethical conduct and ethical thinking.

ESSAY FORMAT REQUIREMENTS

· 400 – 600 words total (about 1 ½ pages).

· Your name and section number in the top right hand corner of the first page.

· Center the title of essay at the top of the first page.

· Two sources of evidence to support your interpretation of the ethical standards and conclusions. Sources must be cited in your essay.

· Use effective word usage and phrase choices; proper spelling, syntax, and grammar.

SOURCES ARE REQUIRED USING APA STYLE

· In your essay, you will refer to the Picking Up the Slack case study and A Framework for Thinking Ethically article, which must be cited in the text of your essay and the Reference page or it is considered plagiarizing.

· In addition to this source (A Framework for Thinking Ethically article), one other source is required, and may be from our textbook or the NCA Credo for Ethical Communication. You may use additional sources, but they too must be credible and cited properly. See below for more information on evaluating sources and evidence.

· Plagiarizing Policy: If all sources are not properly cited in the essay and Reference page, then zero points will be earned for this assignment.

EVALUATING SOURCES AND EVIDENCE

· Is the author an authority on the subject? (background and credentials)

· Is the information relevant to the assignment?

· Is the information accurate? (reliable, correct)

· Is the information current and up-to-date?

· Is the information objective, unbiased, and complete?

· Evidence should be relevant, credible, sufficient, and free from fallacies.

· Internet information and websites should be used with caution. Be skeptical if

· The source or author is not named.

· The author’s credentials are not given.

· The website is not current (has not been updated).

· The information is biased.

ESSAY GUIDELINES (How to write your essay)

1st Create the Introduction (first paragraph):

· Write as if you do not know who will be reading your essay and assume your reader has not read the case study.

· Clearly state the ethical dilemma that will be analyzed in the essay (topic sentence).

· Provide a brief summary so the reader has a full understanding of the issue (remember the reader has not read the case study). Summarize the situation with fairness to all parties.

· End your introduction with a clearly stated purpose, which is your thesis statement. Tell your reader what will follow in the body of your essay.

2nd Develop the Body (minimum 3 paragraphs):

· After reading A Framework for Thinking Ethically, follow the directions above and analyze the ethical dilemma using the Five Approaches to Ethical Standards. Consider the implications and consequences of each decision if these approaches were applied to this situation. Assume your reader has no knowledge of these approaches so explain the key concepts. (1-2 paragraphs)

· If you were involved in a situation like this, what would you do? Analyze the situation using the ethical standard that you would apply to this situation. Discuss the implications and consequences of your decision if you used this standard as a rationale for your decision. (1 paragraph)

· Next discuss how this ethical standard is similar or different from your own ethical values and core beliefs. Discuss your core beliefs and how they evolved to form your ethical identity. How do your core beliefs guide your ethical thinking and ethical conduct today? Which core beliefs influenced your decision in this dilemma? (1 paragraph)

· According to the AACU’s Ethical Reasoning VALUES Rubric,

· Core beliefs “can reflect one’s environment, religion, culture or training.”

· Core beliefs are “fundamental principles that consciously or unconsciously influence one’s ethical conduct and ethical thinking . . . . even if they are unacknowledged.”

· You may or may not choose to act on your core beliefs.

· In general, your core beliefs shape your responses when faced with an ethical decision.

· For the body of your essay, follow these writing guidelines:

· Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that effectively states the purpose of the paragraph.

· Develop sentences that are logical and clear. Ideas should flow logically. Paragraphs should be unified and work together to support the thesis.

· Make paragraphs coherent by using effective and appropriate transitions between ideas and paragraphs.

3rd Write the Conclusion (last paragraph):

· Restate the thesis.

· Provide a summary and closure.

Essay Checklist and Important Reminders

· The essay should not sound as if the writer is answering a series of questions.

· The purpose of the essay should be clear to the reader and reflect an awareness of the audience.

· The thesis should be clearly stated in the introduction.

· Relevant background information should be provided in the introduction so the audience has a clear understanding of the ethical issue and why an ethical decision is required.

· The introduction should engage the reader.

· The essay should be well-organized, written in Standard English, and free of grammatical and syntax errors.

· Word choice and phrases should be appropriate and effective.

· Main ideas should be fully developed, supported, and show critical thinking.

· Ideas should flow logically. Sentence structure should be correct, coherent, and varied.

· Outside sources should be smoothly integrated in the essay. The essay should include correctly formatted in-text citations and a correct Reference page.

·

The conclusion should provide closure and restate the thesis.

· The tone and style are appropriate for the essay’s purpose and audience.

· There is a clear voice and point of view. The writer is identified with a quality (honesty, sincerity, intelligence). The audience should get a sense of the writer.

· Facts are distinguished from opinions, opinions are supported and qualified and opposing views are represented fairly.

· Essay has been spell-checked and edited.

GLOSSARY OF ETHICAL TERMS (by AACU and Stephen F. Austin State University)

· Character traits associated with ethics include honesty, truth-seeking, integrity, responsibility, respect, compassion and empathy.

· A core belief is a principle or fundamental belief which guides a person’s actions or decisions. A core belief can change over time.

· Ethics refer to standards of right and wrong that influence our core beliefs and values, our ethical conduct and ethical thinking. Our ethics guide our daily actions and behavior, including our communication with family, friends, co-workers, and the community.

· An ethical dilemma is a problem or situation that requires a person to choose between alternatives based on standards of moral conduct.

· Ethical standards impose obligations to “do the right thing,” to stand up for our/others’ rights.

· Ethical perspectives/concepts are the different theoretical means through which ethical issues are analyzed, such as ethical theories (e.g. utilitarian, natural law, virtue) or ethical concepts (e.g. rights, justice, duty).

· Ethical Reasoning is reasoning about right and wrong human conduct. It requires you to be able to assess your own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions. Your ethical self-identity evolves as you practice ethical decision-making skills and learn how to describe and analyze positions on ethical issues.

· Context is the historical, cultural, professional, or political situation, background, or environment that applies to a given ethical issue.

· A perspective is a world view that informs core beliefs and ethical opinions. It is how one sees oneself, other people, and the world. Perspectives are not limited to theories and concepts in ethical philosophy. They may also include political and religious convictions, cultural assumptions, and attitudes shaped by one’s family, background.

References

Engleberg, I. & Wynn, D.  Think Communication. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. 2015.

Print.

“Ethical Reasoning Value Rubric.” American Association of Colleges and Universities. American Association of Colleges and Universities. 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

“Personal Responsibility Value Rubric.” Stephen F. Austin University. Stephen F. Austin University. 2014. Web. 15 July 2014.

“NCA Credo for Ethical Communication.” National Communication Association.  National Communication Association, Nov. 1999. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

Rothwell, D. Practically Speaking. New York: Oxford University Press. 2014. Print.

Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. May 2009. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

Wilson, C. “Picking Up the Slack (Big Q).” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Santa Clara University. 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2014.

Essay Directions Page 1

In this assignment, you will analyze an ethical issue in communication from several ethical perspectives, consider the consequences if these perspectives were applied to the issue, and analyze the situation from your own ethical perspective.

Learning Objectives

· Acknowledge the complexity of the ethical issues being analyzed.

· Demonstrate an understanding of ethical theories and concepts.

· Analyze and evaluate the situation applying more than one ethical perspective.

· Consider the implications and consequences of these actions to ethical decision-making in this situation.

· Analyze the issue from own ethical perspective and examines the beliefs and values that inform your ethical thinking, conduct, and decision-making.

· Cite sources correctly in-text and create a Works Cited or References page following MLA or APA guidelines.

· Write a well-organized essay with minimal errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.  Writing style should be smooth, skillful, and coherent with variety in sentence structure and effective word choice.

Core Curriculum Objectives:

· Critical Thinking – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.

· Communication – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.

· Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

STEP 1: READ the ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING ESSAY GUIDELINE

Read the Ethical Decision-Making Guidelines thoroughly before you continue with this assignment. You will be referring to the guidelines frequently.  It is wise to make a copy.

STEP 2: REVIEW the ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING GRADING RUBRIC

Review the grading rubric so you will know how your essay will be graded. Make a copy so you can refer to it while you are writing your essay.

STEP 3: READ the CASE STUDY: PICKING up the SLAC

Read the case study,
Picking up the Slack
, and make a copy.

STEP 4: RESEARCH ETHICAL STANDARDS & ETHICAL DECISON-MAKING

Read 
A Framework for Thinking Ethically
 first since it is a required source in your essay.  It will give you a brief description of the
Five Sources of Ethical Standards
.  These standards are also referred to in the literature as ethical theories, ethical perspectives, and decision rules. Other good sources for your essay are:
NCA Credo for Ethical Communication and your textbook.

After you have read
A Framework for Ethical Thinking
, review the
Ethical Decision-Making PowerPoint in the next step.  The PowerPoint reviews the five sources of ethical standards, the ethical decision-making process, and the essay guidelines.

STEP 5: REVIEW the ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING PPT

The PowerPoint reviews:

· the Five Ethical Standards

· the Ethical Decision-Making Process

· the Essay Guidelines

Now accessible for screenreaders.

STEP 6: FOLLOW GUIDELINES for SOURCE CITATIONS

The Richland College Library has excellent resources to help you cite in-text sources and create a Works Cited/Reference page.  Here’s a quick and easy way to access source citing guidelines:

· Open the

RLC Library Resources

link.

· This will take you to the
Library’s home page
.

· Under
Research Assistance
, click on
APA Citations
.

· You can also use
Noodle Tools
to create your citations. The link is also under
Research Assistance

STEP 7: Type, Save, Edit, and Submit

Type your essay, save the document frequently, edit your work to reduce plagiarism, spelling and grammatical errors. Finally, submit the document as a Microsoft Word document on E-Campus. 

Picking Up the Slack

Ethical Case Study by Chloe Wilson

Greg and Natalie have been in business classes together since freshman year. While they’re not close friends, they have always enjoyed each other’s company in class and have been in the same social circle as they’ve moved from lower division courses to where they are now: senior capstone. Greg and a few of his friends invite Natalie to join their group at the start of the term, and they begin to work on their project.

 

Fairly quickly, though, Greg realizes that Natalie isn’t pulling her weight[endnoteRef:1]. Any aspect of the project that’s assigned to her has to be redone by other members of the group, she doesn’t pay attention in meetings, and she consistently shows up late or hungover. Greg and his other groupmates think that Natalie needs to step it up[endnoteRef:2] and take this project seriously, but they ultimately agree it would be more trouble than it’s worth to confront her about it. They decide to just push through and let her do her own thing. Natalie continues to participate marginally in discussions, planning, and writing, but makes it clear through her actions that their final presentation is not her biggest priority. [1: To pull one’s weight means to do your fair share of work or to work as hard as other people in a group] [2: To step it up means to increase or to make more active]

After Greg’s group gives its final presentation, the members are asked to write an evaluation on their teammates that the professor will use to determine individual grades. When it comes to most of his teammates, Greg easily gives them all A’s and B’s for their participation and contributions to the project. However, when Greg comes to Natalie’s evaluation, he is faced with a dilemma.  It’s their last big project before graduation, and if he were to evaluate her in a harsh way, it could negatively affect her cumulative GPA. He doesn’t want to throw her under the bus[endnoteRef:3]; however, her apathy and poor work ethic put a huge burden on everyone else’s shoulders[endnoteRef:4], and Greg had to personally sacrifice a lot of time and effort to make up for her mistakes or tasks that she left undone. [3: To throw someone under the bus means to avoid blame, trouble, or criticism by allowing someone else to take responsibility.] [4: To be a burden on everyone’s shoulders means to put the responsibility for completing the work on everyone else
Definitions provided by thefreedictionary.com (http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com)]

 

Ethical Question: What should Greg do? Is it worth giving her an honest evaluation, just so the professor will give her the grade she deserves? Or is giving her a bad evaluation petty and unnecessary, considering that they are all about to graduate and their group received an A, regardless of her performance?

Reference:

Wilson, C. (2013, May 11). Picking up the slack. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from https://www.scu.edu/the-big-q/the-big-q-blog/picking-up-the-slack.html

Case Study Page 1

NCA Credo for Ethical Communication
(approved by the NCA Legislative Council, November 1999)

Questions of right and wrong arise whenever people communicate. Ethical communication is
fundamental to responsible thinking, decision making, and the development of relationships and
communities within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media. Moreover, ethical
communication enhances human worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness,
responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for self and others. We believe that unethical
communication threatens the quality of all communication and consequently the well-being of
individuals and the society in which we live. Therefore we, the members of the National
Communication Association, endorse and are committed to practicing the following principles of
ethical communication:

We advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of
communication.

We endorse freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to achieve
the informed and responsible decision making fundamental to a civil society.

We strive to understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to
their messages.

We promote access to communication resources and opportunities as necessary to fulfill human
potential and contribute to the well-being of families, communities, and society.

We promote communication climates of caring and mutual understanding that respect the
unique needs and characteristics of individual communicators.

We condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity through distortion,
intimidation, coercion, and violence, and through the expression of intolerance and hatred.

We are committed to the courageous expression of personal convictions in pursuit of fairness
and justice.

We advocate sharing information, opinions, and feelings when facing significant choices while
also respecting privacy and confidentiality.

We accept responsibility for the short- and long-term consequences for our own communication
and expect the same of others.

A Framework for Thinking Ethically

This document is designed as an introduction to thinking ethically. We all have an image of our better selves-of how we are when we act ethically or are “at our best.” We probably also have an image of what an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical government, or an ethical society should be. Ethics really has to do with all these levels-acting ethically as individuals, creating ethical organizations and governments, and making our society as a whole ethical in the way it treats everyone.

What is Ethics?

Simply stated, ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionals, and so on.

It is helpful to identify what ethics is NOT:

· Ethics is not the same as feelings. Feelings provide important information for our ethical choices. Some people have highly developed habits that make them feel bad when they do something wrong, but many people feel good even though they are doing something wrong. And often our feelings will tell us it is uncomfortable to do the right thing if it is hard.

· Ethics is not religion. Many people are not religious, but ethics applies to everyone. Most religions do advocate high ethical standards but sometimes do not address all the types of problems we face.

· Ethics is not following the law. A good system of law does incorporate many ethical standards, but law can deviate from what is ethical. Law can become ethically corrupt, as some totalitarian regimes have made it. Law can be a function of power alone and designed to serve the interests of narrow groups. Law may have a difficult time designing or enforcing standards in some important areas, and may be slow to address new problems.

· Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. Some cultures are quite ethical, but others become corrupt -or blind to certain ethical concerns (as the United States was to slavery before the Civil War). “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is not a satisfactory ethical standard.

· Ethics is not science. Social and natural science can provide important data to help us make better ethical choices. But science alone does not tell us what we ought to do. Science may provide an explanation for what humans are like. But ethics provides reasons for how humans ought to act. And just because something is scientifically or technologically possible, it may not be ethical to do it.

Why Identifying Ethical Standards is Hard

There are two fundamental problems in identifying the ethical standards we are to follow:

1. On what do we base our ethical standards?

2. How do those standards get applied to specific situations we face?

If our ethics are not based on feelings, religion, law, accepted social practice, or science, what are they based on? Many philosophers and ethicists have helped us answer this critical question. They have suggested at least five different sources of ethical standards we should use.

Five Sources of Ethical Standards

The Utilitarian Approach
Some ethicists emphasize that the ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest balance of good over harm. The ethical corporate action, then, is the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all who are affected-customers, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Ethical warfare balances the good achieved in ending terrorism with the harm done to all parties through death, injuries, and destruction. The utilitarian approach deals with consequences; it tries both to increase the good done and to reduce the harm done.

The Rights Approach

Other philosophers and ethicists suggest that the ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected. This approach starts from the belief that humans have a dignity based on their human nature per se or on their ability to choose freely what they do with their lives. On the basis of such dignity, they have a right to be treated as ends and not merely as means to other ends. The list of moral rights -including the rights to make one’s own choices about what kind of life to lead, to be told the truth, not to be injured, to a degree of privacy, and so on-is widely debated; some now argue that non-humans have rights, too. Also, it is often said that rights imply duties-in particular, the duty to respect others’ rights.

The Fairness or Justice Approach
Aristotle and other Greek philosophers have contributed the idea that all equals should be treated equally. Today we use this idea to say that ethical actions treat all human beings equally-or if unequally, then fairly based on some standard that is defensible. We pay people more based on their harder work or the greater amount that they contribute to an organization, and say that is fair. But there is a debate over CEO salaries that are hundreds of times larger than the pay of others; many ask whether the huge disparity is based on a defensible standard or whether it is the result of an imbalance of power and hence is unfair.

The Common Good Approach
The Greek philosophers have also contributed the notion that life in community is a good in itself and our actions should contribute to that life. This approach suggests that the interlocking relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others-especially the vulnerable-are requirements of such reasoning. This approach also calls attention to the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone. This may be a system of laws, effective police and fire departments, health care, a public educational system, or even public recreational areas.

The Virtue Approach

A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. These virtues are dispositions and habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential of our character and on behalf of values like truth and beauty. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, tolerance, love, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues. Virtue ethics asks of any action, “What kind of person will I become if I do this?” or “Is this action consistent with my acting at my best?”

Putting the Approaches Together

Each of the approaches helps us determine what standards of behavior can be considered ethical. There are still problems to be solved, however. The first problem is that we may not agree on the content of some of these specific approaches. We may not all agree to the same set of human and civil rights. We may not agree on what constitutes the common good. We may not even agree on what is a good and what is a harm. The second problem is that the different approaches may not all answer the question “What is ethical?” in the same way. Nonetheless, each approach gives us important information with which to determine what is ethical in a particular circumstance. And much more often than not, the different approaches do lead to similar answers.

Making Decisions

Making good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically without consulting the specific steps. The more novel and difficult the ethical choice we face, the more we need to rely on discussion and dialogue with others about the dilemma. Only by careful exploration of the problem, aided by the insights and different perspectives of others, can we make good ethical choices in such situations. We have found the following framework for ethical decision making a useful method for exploring ethical dilemmas and identifying ethical courses of action.

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

3. 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?

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

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

Evaluate Alternative Actions

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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.

A Framework for Thinking Ethically Page 3

Ethical Decision-Making

Based on

“A Framework for Thinking Ethically” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

“Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions” Capism Website

“A Framework for Universal Principles of Ethics”

Larry Colero, W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics

1

Communication and Ethical Decisions
Unethical Communication
Universal Ethical Principles
Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Approaches
Ethical Decision-Making

Temper
Tantrums Lying Silent Treatment Insults Interrupting
Not Listening Talking behind someone’s back Disrespect Sarcasm Manipulation
Pulling out phone Argumentative Talking over people Insensitive Unapologetic
Acting like it’s a joke Being rude or offensive Profanity Negative
Gestures Having an attitude
Rolling Eyes No Eye Contact Overreacting Aggressive Pulling out Phone

Unethical Communication Behaviors

“A Framework for Universal Principles of Ethics”
By Larry Colero, W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics

Do Good
Do No Harm
Honesty Trustworthiness

Be Fair
Justice
Concern for Others

Comply with Law
Refuse Taking Unfair Advantage
Respect Autonomy of Others

Ethical Theories

Virtue

Common Good

Fairness or Justice

Deontology

Utilitarian

Rights

Utilitarian Approach
An ethical action
provides the most good.
does the least harm.
benefits the most people.
produces the best outcome for everyone affected.
Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

Common Good Approach
An ethical action
benefits society as a whole, not just some members.
shows respect and compassion for all others – especially the vulnerable.

Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

Virtue Approach
An ethical action
What kind of person will I become if I do this?
Is this action consistent with my acting at my best?
Emphasizes the virtues or moral character of persons.

Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

The Rights Approach
An ethical action
best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected.
focuses on respect for human dignity and our ability to choose freely how we live our lives.
Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

Fairness or Justice Approach
An ethical action
treats all human beings equally.
must be based on standards of equity, fairness, and impartiality.
distributes benefits and burdens fairly.

Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

Ethical Approaches to Guide Decision
Which option will do the most good and the least harm? (Utilitarian Approach)
Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (Rights Approach)
Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (Fairness or Justice Approach)
Which option best serves the community as a whole, not just some members? (Common Good Approach)
Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (Virtue Approach)
Velasquez, M. et al. “A Framework for Thinking Ethically.” Santa Clara University. May 2009.

Ethical Decision-Making Essay Guidelines
Describe the ethical dilemma.
Analyze the issue using more than one ethical standard.
What ethical standards apply?
Consider the consequences and possible outcomes if these standards are applied to the decision.
Analyze the issue from your ethical perspective.
Discuss the core beliefs that guide your ethical conduct and ethical thinking.

Ethical Decision-Making Essay Guidelines
Two citations in text
MLA style; Works Cited
400-600 words
Double-spaced
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A Framework for Thinking Ethically

This document is designed as an introduction to thinking ethically. We all have an image of our better selves-of how we are when we act ethically or are “at our best.” We probably also have an image of what an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical government, or an ethical society should be. Ethics really has to do with all these levels-acting ethically as individuals, creating ethical organizations and governments, and making our society as a whole ethical in the way it treats everyone.

What is Ethics?

Simply stated, ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens, businesspeople, teachers, professionals, and so on.

It is helpful to identify what ethics is NOT:

· Ethics is not the same as feelings. Feelings provide important information for our ethical choices. Some people have highly developed habits that make them feel bad when they do something wrong, but many people feel good even though they are doing something wrong. And often our feelings will tell us it is uncomfortable to do the right thing if it is hard.

· Ethics is not religion. Many people are not religious, but ethics applies to everyone. Most religions do advocate high ethical standards but sometimes do not address all the types of problems we face.

· Ethics is not following the law. A good system of law does incorporate many ethical standards, but law can deviate from what is ethical. Law can become ethically corrupt, as some totalitarian regimes have made it. Law can be a function of power alone and designed to serve the interests of narrow groups. Law may have a difficult time designing or enforcing standards in some important areas, and may be slow to address new problems.

· Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. Some cultures are quite ethical, but others become corrupt -or blind to certain ethical concerns (as the United States was to slavery before the Civil War). “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is not a satisfactory ethical standard.

· Ethics is not science. Social and natural science can provide important data to help us make better ethical choices. But science alone does not tell us what we ought to do. Science may provide an explanation for what humans are like. But ethics provides reasons for how humans ought to act. And just because something is scientifically or technologically possible, it may not be ethical to do it.

Why Identifying Ethical Standards is Hard

There are two fundamental problems in identifying the ethical standards we are to follow:

1. On what do we base our ethical standards?

2. How do those standards get applied to specific situations we face?

If our ethics are not based on feelings, religion, law, accepted social practice, or science, what are they based on? Many philosophers and ethicists have helped us answer this critical question. They have suggested at least five different sources of ethical standards we should use.

Five Sources of Ethical Standards

The Utilitarian Approach
Some ethicists emphasize that the ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest balance of good over harm. The ethical corporate action, then, is the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all who are affected-customers, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Ethical warfare balances the good achieved in ending terrorism with the harm done to all parties through death, injuries, and destruction. The utilitarian approach deals with consequences; it tries both to increase the good done and to reduce the harm done.

The Rights Approach

Other philosophers and ethicists suggest that the ethical action is the one that best protects and respects the moral rights of those affected. This approach starts from the belief that humans have a dignity based on their human nature per se or on their ability to choose freely what they do with their lives. On the basis of such dignity, they have a right to be treated as ends and not merely as means to other ends. The list of moral rights -including the rights to make one’s own choices about what kind of life to lead, to be told the truth, not to be injured, to a degree of privacy, and so on-is widely debated; some now argue that non-humans have rights, too. Also, it is often said that rights imply duties-in particular, the duty to respect others’ rights.

The Fairness or Justice Approach
Aristotle and other Greek philosophers have contributed the idea that all equals should be treated equally. Today we use this idea to say that ethical actions treat all human beings equally-or if unequally, then fairly based on some standard that is defensible. We pay people more based on their harder work or the greater amount that they contribute to an organization, and say that is fair. But there is a debate over CEO salaries that are hundreds of times larger than the pay of others; many ask whether the huge disparity is based on a defensible standard or whether it is the result of an imbalance of power and hence is unfair.

The Common Good Approach
The Greek philosophers have also contributed the notion that life in community is a good in itself and our actions should contribute to that life. This approach suggests that the interlocking relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others-especially the vulnerable-are requirements of such reasoning. This approach also calls attention to the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone. This may be a system of laws, effective police and fire departments, health care, a public educational system, or even public recreational areas.

The Virtue Approach

A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. These virtues are dispositions and habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential of our character and on behalf of values like truth and beauty. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, tolerance, love, fidelity, integrity, fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues. Virtue ethics asks of any action, “What kind of person will I become if I do this?” or “Is this action consistent with my acting at my best?”

Putting the Approaches Together

Each of the approaches helps us determine what standards of behavior can be considered ethical. There are still problems to be solved, however. The first problem is that we may not agree on the content of some of these specific approaches. We may not all agree to the same set of human and civil rights. We may not agree on what constitutes the common good. We may not even agree on what is a good and what is a harm. The second problem is that the different approaches may not all answer the question “What is ethical?” in the same way. Nonetheless, each approach gives us important information with which to determine what is ethical in a particular circumstance. And much more often than not, the different approaches do lead to similar answers.

Making Decisions

Making good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically without consulting the specific steps. The more novel and difficult the ethical choice we face, the more we need to rely on discussion and dialogue with others about the dilemma. Only by careful exploration of the problem, aided by the insights and different perspectives of others, can we make good ethical choices in such situations. We have found the following framework for ethical decision making a useful method for exploring ethical dilemmas and identifying ethical courses of action.

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

3. 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?

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

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

Evaluate Alternative Actions

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. 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.

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