Ethical Decision-Making in Practice

As I've read and learned more about the process of making ethical decisions - both as a leader and personally - I've heard the concept likened to that of physical fitness. We don't suddenly decide one day to run a marathon or compete in a basketball tournament with no prior training (or if we do, we find ourselves in a lot of pain!). We need to build up the endurance, flexibility, and muscle memory to handle the physical stress. Similarly, being thrust into a situation requiring ethical fitness with no prior training can result in a situation that is painful not only for myself, but for those affected by my decisions. I need to build up that ethical "muscle memory" beforehand so that when the occasions arise, I already know what my values are and how I'm likely to react.

In my blog post on October 28th I outlined the paradigms Rushmore Kidder suggests that we use to view ethical dilemmas. But what we also need is a consistent training regimen that we follow when making decisions, to help us get into shape - ethically speaking!

One of the ways that we can do this is through having a regular decision-making process to help us make sure we've made every effort to think of all angles. The Institute of Global Ethics has created the Nine Checkpoints for Ethical Decision Making which provides steps for anyone to use when confronting ethical issues, large or small. Practicing this on a daily basis with the smaller issues would be a fabulous way to build up the "muscle memory" so that when the big issues hit, we are prepared to handle them with ethical strength.

Step 1: Awareness

• Recognize there is a moral issue

Step 2: Actor(s)

• Whose dilemma is this?

Step 3: What happened?

• Gather all the facts for the situation.

Step 4: Is it Right versus Wrong?

• Apply the five tests
• is it legal?
• does it meet professional standards?
• does it feel right in my gut?
• would it be okay to see on the front page of the newspaper?
• would my role model do it?
• If you answer yes to most of the above, it is a right versus right dilemma - go to step 5

Step 5: Is it Right versus Right?

• What are the two rights?
• It is right to (send a student out of class for being rude) because (that is the stated classroom rule); but it is also right to (show mercy and work hard to build rapport) because (the student has a difficult home life and needs a safe space).
• which kind of dilemma is it?
• truth versus loyalty
• justice versus mercy
• short term versus long term
• self versus community

Step 6: Resolution

• Apply the three decision principles:
• ends-based principle - which decision will result in the greatest good for the greatest number?
• rule-based principle - what is the highest principle that could become the rule here? Would you want this principle applied in every situation, everywhere?
• care-based principle - if you put yourself in the position of others, what would you do?

Step 7: Ask - Is there a third way out?

Step 8: Decision - Decide what to do

Step 9: Reflection - Revisit the decision later; was it the best decision?

Learn from this for the next time!

From the Institute for Global Ethics, Preparing for the Challenges of the 21st Century.