Chapter 1. Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions In

Values

Judgments of desirability, worth, or importance.

Critical thinking

- what information needed to settle question - multiple ways to interpret information? - what assumptions have lead me to the conclusion - other point of views

Analyzing ethical dilemmas

1) identify and describe facts 2) identify relevant values and concepts of those involved 3) identify most immediate dilemma 4) identify ethical issue of individual 5) resolve using ethical system for decision making

In order for an act to be judged as ethical it just involve 4 elements:

1. Acts (not beliefs) 2. Human acts 3. Free will 4. Affect others

Supererogatories

Actions that are commendable but not required in order for a person to be considered moral

Ethical Issues

Difficult social or policy questions that include controversy over the "right" thing to do.

Ethical issues vs. ethical dilemmas

Ethical issues concern social or policy questions, whereas dilemmas concern and individual situations

Morals

Principles of right and wrong

Duties

Required behaviors or actions, that is, the responsibilities that are attached to a specific role.

Ethical Dilemmas

Situations in which it is difficult for an individual to decide, either because the right course of action is not clear or because the right course of action carries some negative consequences.

Discretion

The authority to make a decision between two or more choices, main component for law enforcement when making ethical decisions

Ethics

The discipline of determining good and evil and defining moral duties

Imperfect Duties

moral duties that are not fully explicated or detailed.