Ethical Decision-Making: Principles and Challenges

Reason

Capacity for logical thought and understanding.

Impartiality

Treating all individuals equally without favoritism.

Logical Thinking

Using logic to analyze moral problems.

Emotional Bias

Personal prejudices that cloud judgment.

Moral Principles

Guidelines for determining right and wrong.

Fairness

Equal treatment of all individuals in decisions.

Objective Perspective

Considering interests of all affected parties.

Bias Avoidance

Eliminating prejudice based on personal factors.

Ethical Decision-Making Process

Steps to evaluate moral dilemmas systematically.

Moral Issue Identification

Clearly defining the ethical dilemma at hand.

Gathering Information

Collecting relevant facts and potential consequences.

Weighing Options

Evaluating pros and cons of each action.

7-Step Moral Reasoning Model

Systematic approach to ethical decision-making.

Consequentialism

Moral value determined by action consequences.

Utilitarianism

Maximizing happiness or minimizing suffering morally.

Deontology

Focus on moral duties and obligations.

Kantian Ethics

Moral actions adhere to rules regardless of outcomes.

Virtue Ethics

Emphasizes character development and moral virtues.

Social Contract Theory

Moral rules as agreements for mutual benefit.

Eudaimonia

Ultimate human good, often translated as happiness.

Natural Law Theory

Moral theory based on human inclination towards goodness.

Aristotle

Philosopher emphasizing virtue and human flourishing.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Philosopher integrating natural law with divine law.

Character Traits

Qualities that enable actions in accordance with reason.

Courage

Virtue between cowardice and rashness.

Long-term Implications

Consideration of future effects of decisions.

Creative Thinking

Exploring innovative solutions to ethical dilemmas.

Stakeholders

Parties affected by a decision or action.

Moral Duties

Obligations that guide ethical behavior.

Human Flourishing

Understanding and achieving a good human life.

Teleological Perspective

Belief that everything has a purpose.

Divine Law

Ethical framework incorporating divine principles.

Deontological Ethics

Ethical theory emphasizing duty and moral rules.

Intrinsic Worth

Value derived from the ability to reason.

Rights

Moral claims protecting dignity and autonomy.

Right to Life

Fundamental right prerequisite for all other rights.

Right to Liberty

Includes freedom of thought, speech, and action.

Right to Property

Recognizes individual ownership of possessions.

Categorical Imperative

Moral principle treating beings as ends, not means.

Principle of Utility

Actions are right if they promote happiness.

Act Utilitarianism

Focuses on specific consequences of individual actions.

Rule Utilitarianism

Focuses on consequences of following general rules.

Economic Inequality

Widening gap between rich and poor nations.

Exploitation of Labor

Poor working conditions in developing countries.

Climate Change

Environmental degradation from global trade and industry.

Cultural Homogenization

Erosion of local cultures due to Western dominance.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Balancing profit with ethical business practices.

Digital Ethics

Ethical issues arising from online behavior.

Privacy Concerns

Questions about data privacy and security online.

Copyright Infringement

Unauthorized use of protected digital content.

Fake News

Spread of false information on social media.

Work-Life Balance

Setting boundaries between work and personal life.

Digital Literacy

Critical thinking skills for evaluating online information.

Empathy

Understanding the impact of online actions on others.