Framework For Ethical Thinking

Feelings

Religion

Law

Culturally Accepted Norms

Science

The Utilitarian Approach

Is doing the actions which provide the most advantages and would outweigh the disadvantages.

The Rights Approach

Focuses on freedom of decision and giving others the right to do what they want.

The Fairness Of Justice Approach

The idea that all human beings should be treated equally on a specific standard.

The Common Good Approach

This approach focuses on the benifit of a connected civilisation working together to improve their lives.

The Virtue Approach

Focuses on taking ethical decisions based specific virtues like courage or honesty

Putting the approaches together.

The approaches help us determine what can be considered ethical.However, this may cause a problem as some people won't agree with all the ethical standards, and others might not be able to differentiate between good and harm.

What do we base our ethical standards on ?

How do these standards get applied to specific situations we face

Recognize an Ethical Issue.
1-See if situation could damage others
2-Is the decision between what is legal and what is efficieant ?

Get The Facts
1-What are the presented facts?
2-What individuals have an important stake in the outcome ?
3-What are the options for acting ?

Evaluate Alternative Actions
1-Which option will have more advantages to disadvantages ?
2-Which action respects the rights of others ?
3-Which action treats others equally ?
4-Which action is usefull for the whole group ?
5-Which action leads me to act like the sort of person I want to be ?

Make A Decision And Test It

1-After considiring all options which one best adresses the situation ?
2-What would be the reaction of the others based on my decision ?

Act And Reflect On The Outcome
1-How can my decision later support all other parties ?
2-What was the result of my decision and how can I learn from it ?