80 likes | 111 Views
Explore deontological, consequentialist, Kantian, human rights, and justice standards, along with religious ethics, in ethical decision-making. Learn the seven-step process for making ethical decisions.
E N D
Deontological Approaches • Consequences of decisions are not always the most important elements as suggested by the consequentialist approach. • The way you make decisions is what makes it moral. • The end does not justify the means • Results are not ethical unless the ethical means used to produce them
Kant’s Three Standards • Do not make exceptions for self since everyone is worth the same. • Let others make their own choices - treat people as ends rather than means to an end (everyone is equal). • Would my action pass the publicity test - would it be adopted by rational people. Could action be explained & would it be acceptable (grandmother test).
Human Rights Standard • No action should violate fundamental human rights • Rights - what’s needed to live a life that expresses value. • Rights - justifiable claim, entitlement or protection against collective goals. • Liberty Rights (free speech, freedom of conscience, self determination); Welfare Rights (food, housing, employment, education, health care)
Justice Standard • Justice - Fair distribution of Benefits & Burdens • Which is the fair distribution standard - equality, effort, need, accomplishment, contribution? • We need a justice standard to show which distribution scheme is fair in each situation.
Justice Standard • Seek the standard that distributes benefits and burdens most fairly. • Rawls’ method - Use “veil of ignorance” to decide the rule for a just society.
Justice Standard • Fair Distribution follows three principles: • Equal Liberty - max liberty compatible with liberty of others • Difference Principle - inequities ethical if benefit least advantaged • Equal Opportunity Principle - benefits equally open to all.
Religious Ethics • Does the action fit the central tenets of the faith? Does the action follow the rule? • Jesus Christ: “Love Your Neighbor” • Buddha: “The Cause of suffering is desire”
Seven-Step Process of Making Ethical Decisions • 1. What are the Facts • 2. What are the Ethical Issues • 3. What are the Alternatives? • 4. Who are the Stakeholders? • 5. What are the Ethics of the Alternatives? • 6. What are the Practical Constraints? • 7. What Actions Should we Take?