Ethical Problem Prototypes

Moral Distress

You face a challenge
about how to
maintain your
integrity or the
integrity of the
profession

Locus of authority problem

You face the
challenge of deciding,
from an ethical POV,
who should be the
primary decision-
maker

Ethical Dilemma

You face a challenge
about the right thing
to do, there are two
or more courses of
action, no outcome
feels completely
“right”

Justice

● Is what I am doing right?
● Discrimination, stigma, bias, structural inequalities against some individuals
or groups may appear to short change them
● Serves to ensure a proper distribution of burdens and benefits

Deontological

● Taking duties seriously
● Duty driven
● Means count

Teleological (Utilitarianism)

● Outcomes
● Goal driven
● Ends count

Step 1 of decision making process

1. Gather as much relevant information as possible to get your facts straight

Step 2 of decision making process

Determine the precise nature of the ethical problem (if the data confirms that there is one)

Step 3 of the decision making process

Decide on the ethics approach that will best get to the heart of the problem

Step 4 of the decision making process

Decide what should be done and how best it can be done (explore the widest range of options possible)

Step 5 of the decision making process

ACT!!!

Step 6 of the ethical decision making process

Reflect on and evaluate the action