Ethical decision paper

NAME________________________________________

1: THE FACTS (sketch out a few)

2: The Ethical Issues (Tensions) (X vs. Y format)

1. (B) __________________________________ vs. __________________________________________

2. (C) _________________________________ vs. __________________________________________

3. (D) __________________________________ vs._________________________________________

3: Ethical Principles

1. .

2. .

3. .

4. .

5. .

6. .

4: The Alternatives

1. .

2. .

3. .

4. .

5. .

6. .

7. .

5: The Analysis

Alternative 1_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Principle 1: Affirms / Discourages (circle one)

(2) Principle 2: “

(3) Principle 3: “

(4) Principle 4: “

(5) Principle 5: “

Alternative 2____________________________________________________________________________

(1) Principle 1

(2) Principle 2

(3) Principle 3

(4) Principle 4

(5) Principle 5

Alternative 3_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Principle 1

(2) Principle 2

(3) Principle 3

(4) Principle 4

(5) Principle 5

Alternative 4______________________________________________________________________

(1) Principle 1

(2) Principle 2

(3) Principle 3

(4) Principle 4

(5) Principle 5

Alternative 5_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Principle 1

(2) Principle 2

(3) Principle 3

(4) Principle 4

(5) Principle 5

6: Consequences (of top two alternatives)

(1) .

(2) .

7: THE DECISION

Scott B. Rae’s Model for Moral Decision Making

(From Dr. Scott Rae’s, Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics, 2nd ed)

Last Update: 9 January 2012

1. Gather the Facts

0. We need to know all of the available facts. Some dilemmas may be resolved by a simple clarification of the facts.

1. Determine the Ethical Issues

1. State these in terms of “legitimate competing interests or goods”

1. Present in an X vs. Y format to make things clear.

1. What Principles Have a Bearing on the Case?

2. What deontological principles come to bear on the situation?

2. Which principles should be weighted more heavily?

1. List the Alternatives

3. Develop the different courses of action

3. List ALL conceivable alternatives. Brainstorm and be creative.

1. Compare the Alternatives with the Principles

4. Eliminate all of the alternatives possible with the moral principles that you isolated.

4. This should solve the problem. If not, proceed to the next step.

1. Consider the Consequences

5. Consider both positive and negative consequences.

5. Weigh these informally, since positive and negative consequences vary.

1. Make a Decision

6. You may not deliberate for eternity. Make a decision.

6. General George S. Patton: “If you are 55% sure of a decision, execute it. If you are 80% sure of a decision, execute it violently.”