Methodology for Analyzing Ethics Case Studies

1. Methodology for Analyzing Ethics Case Studies Part 2

2. Step 1 – Defining the Issues • Separate the information into three categories • Factual Questions • Conceptual Questions • Moral Questions

3. Step 2 – We Evaluate Our Ethical Issues

4. We Have Defined the Problem– How Do We Analyze? Line Drawing and / or Flow Charting

5. Line Drawing Great for situations with clear applicable moral principles but significant gray area about which ethical principle applies POSITIVE Paradigm Negative Paradigm Unambiguously not morally acceptable Unambiguously morally acceptable

6. Flow Charting Especially useful when considering a sequence of events or series of consequences flowing from each decision Should Sage and Shilah eat the squirrels? The squirrels are eating mama’s garden We’d be full The veggies would be safe We’d have to eat veggies The veggies would disappear. Mama would be sad. Sage and Shilah wouldn’t have to eat veggies

7. Choices Between Two Conflicting Moral Values • If one is more obviously significant than the other, the choice makes sense • Creative middle way – find a compromise that will work with everyone • Frequently very hard to sell • Make the hard choice – the best choice possible with the information available at the time