2.2 Ethical Decision-Making Models and Processes

Ethical decision-making models provide frameworks for tackling moral dilemmas. The PLUS model, Potter Box, and moral imagination offer structured approaches to analyzing ethical issues, considering multiple perspectives, and finding creative solutions.

The ethical decision-making process involves stages from awareness to action. Individual traits, organizational factors, and situational variables all influence choices. Enhancing skills through training, developing a personal framework, and seeking diverse viewpoints can improve ethical decision-making.

Ethical Decision Making Models

PLUS Ethical Decision Making Model

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• Consists of four steps to guide ethical decision-making
• P stands for Policies and Procedures to review relevant guidelines
• L represents Legal considerations to ensure compliance with laws
• U signifies Universal principles to consider broader ethical standards
• S denotes Self-reflection to examine personal values and biases
• Encourages a systematic approach to ethical dilemmas
• Helps identify potential conflicts between policies, laws, and personal values
• Applicable in various professional settings (healthcare, business, education)

Potter Box Model

• Developed by Ralph Potter for analyzing ethical decisions in communication
• Comprises four dimensions: facts, values, principles, and loyalties
• Facts dimension involves gathering all relevant information about the situation
• Values dimension examines personal and societal beliefs influencing the decision
• Principles dimension considers ethical theories and frameworks (utilitarianism, deontology)
• Loyalties dimension explores commitments to various stakeholders
• Facilitates a comprehensive analysis of ethical dilemmas
• Encourages consideration of multiple perspectives and potential consequences
• Often used in journalism and public relations to navigate complex ethical issues

Moral Imagination

• Concept introduced by philosopher Mark Johnson
• Involves creatively envisioning alternative solutions to ethical problems
• Requires empathy and the ability to consider multiple viewpoints
• Encourages thinking beyond conventional approaches to ethical dilemmas
• Enhances ethical decision-making by expanding the range of possible solutions
• Cultivates moral sensitivity and awareness of ethical implications
• Can be developed through exposure to diverse ethical scenarios and case studies
• Applies across various fields (business ethics, environmental ethics, bioethics)

Ethical Decision Making Process

Stages of Ethical Decision Making

• Ethical awareness involves recognizing the presence of an ethical issue
  • Requires sensitivity to moral dimensions of situations
  • Can be influenced by personal values, organizational culture, and societal norms
• Moral intensity refers to the perceived magnitude of ethical consequences
  • Factors include proximity, immediacy, and concentration of effects
  • Higher moral intensity tends to lead to more careful ethical deliberation
• Ethical judgment entails evaluating different courses of action
  • Involves applying ethical principles and frameworks
  • Can be influenced by cognitive biases and emotional factors
• Ethical intent represents the commitment to act on ethical judgments
  • May be affected by situational pressures and competing priorities
  • Strengthened by personal integrity and organizational support for ethics
• Ethical behavior constitutes the actual implementation of ethical decisions
  • Can be impacted by external constraints and unforeseen circumstances
  • Requires consistency between intentions and actions

Factors Influencing Ethical Decision Making

• Individual characteristics play a significant role in ethical decision-making
  • Personal values, moral development, and cognitive moral capacity influence choices
  • Cultural background and religious beliefs can shape ethical perspectives
• Organizational factors impact the ethical decision-making process
  • Corporate culture and ethical climate set the tone for ethical behavior
  • Leadership examples and ethical codes guide employee conduct
  • Reward systems and performance metrics can incentivize or discourage ethical choices
• Situational variables affect ethical decisions in specific contexts
  • Time pressure may lead to hasty decisions with ethical implications
  • Group dynamics can influence individual ethical choices (groupthink)
  • Ambiguity in situations may complicate ethical decision-making

Enhancing Ethical Decision Making Skills

• Ethical training programs improve awareness and decision-making abilities
  • Case studies and role-playing exercises develop practical skills
  • Discussions of ethical dilemmas enhance moral reasoning capabilities
• Developing a personal ethical framework provides guidance in complex situations
  • Clarifying personal values and principles aids in consistent decision-making
  • Regular self-reflection on ethical choices promotes growth and learning
• Seeking diverse perspectives enriches ethical decision-making
  • Consulting with mentors or ethics committees provides valuable insights
  • Considering stakeholder impacts broadens the scope of ethical analysis
• Continuous learning about ethical issues and theories enhances decision-making
  • Staying informed about emerging ethical challenges in one's field
  • Exploring philosophical and practical approaches to ethics