Ethics

I think this is a very good framework for ethical decision making.

A Framework for Ethical Decision Making
1. Is there something wrong personally, interpersonally, or socially? Could the conflict, the situation, or the decision be damaging to people or to the community? 2. Does the issue go beyond legal or institutional concerns? What does it do to people, who have dignity, rights, and hopes for a better life together? 3. What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are unknown? 4. What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Do some have a greater stake because they have a special need or because we have special obligations to them? 5. What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? If you showed your list of options to someone you respect, what would that person say? 6. Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? 7. Even if not everyone gets all they want, will everyone's rights and dignity still be respected? 8. Which option is fair to all stakeholders? 9. Which option would help all participate more fully in the life we share as a family, community, society? 10. Would you want to become the sort of person who acts this way (e.g., a person of courage or compassion)? 11. Considering all these perspectives, which of the options is the right or best thing to do? 12. If you told someone you respect why you chose this option, what would that person say? If you had to explain your decision on television, would you be comfortable doing so? 13. Implement your decision. How did it turn out for all concerned? If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? Source: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html
 * Recognize an Ethical Issue**
 * Get the Facts**
 * Evaluate Alternative Actions From Various Ethical Perspectives**
 * Utilitarian Approach: The ethical action is the one that will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms.**
 * Rights Approach: The ethical action is the one that most dutifully respects the rights of all affected.**
 * Fairness or Justice Approach: The ethical action is the one that treats people equally, or if unequally, that treats people proportionately and fairly.**
 * Common Good Approach: The ethical action is the one that contributes most to the achievement of a quality common life together.**
 * Virtue Approach: The ethical action is the one that embodies the habits and values of humans at their best.**
 * Make a Decision and Test It**
 * Act, Then Reflect on the Decision Later**