M13A: Model for Moral Reasoning

Gather the facts

Questions to ask: Who, what, where, when, how, and why

Define the ethical issue(s)

Define the ethical basis for the issue you want to focus on

Focus on one major issue at a time

Identify the affected parties

Who are the primary or direct stakeholders?

Who are the secondary or indirect stakeholders?

Perspective-take

Try to see things through the eyes of those individuals affected

Identify the consequences

Think about potential positive and negative consequences for affected parties by the decision

Broader systemic consequences

Ties to symbolic and secrecy

Symbolic consequences

Each decision sends a message

Secrecy consequences

What are the consequences if the decision or action becomes public?

Identify the relevant principles, rights, and justice issues

What obligations are created because of particular ethical principles you might use in the situation?

What obligations are created because of the specific rights of stakeholders?

What concepts of justice (fairness) are relevant — distributive or procedural justice?

Consider your character and integrity

Consider what your relevant community members would consider to be the kind of decision that an individual of integrity would make in this situation

Disclosure rule

What would you do if the New York Times reported your action and everyone was to read it

Think creatively about potential actions

You may have some choices or alternatives that have not been considered

Check your gut

Intuition is gaining credibility as a source for good decision making — knowing something is not “right”

Decide on your course of action

Consider potential actions based on the consequences, obligations, and character approaches