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.