Working Through Ethical Dilemmas: When the Deciding Gets Tough

Making Tough Choices:Making Tough Choices:Working Through Ethical DilemmasWorking Through Ethical Dilemmas

dilemma paradigmsdilemma paradigms

di-lemmadi-lemmafrom the Grk. from the Grk. didi = two + = two + lemmalemma, , an assumption, premisean assumption, premise

par-a-digmpar-a-digmAn example serving as a pattern;An example serving as a pattern;from Grk., to show side by sidefrom Grk., to show side by side

truth vs loyaltytruth vs loyalty

individual vs communityindividual vs community

short-term vs long-termshort-term vs long-term

justice vs mercyjustice vs mercy

44dilemma paradigmsdilemma paradigms

not right vs wrong

but

right vs right

Ethics. . . .Ethics. . . .

““Obedience to the unenforceable.”Obedience to the unenforceable.”

– – Lord Moulton, 1924Lord Moulton, 1924

3 approaches for resolving 3 approaches for resolving dilemmasdilemmas

rule-basedrule-based

do what is right based on principledo what is right based on principle

ends-based ends-based

do what’s best for the greatest number. . . do what’s best for the greatest number. . .

virtue-based virtue-based

do what reflects do what reflects your characteryour character

Kant’s deontologyKant’s deontology

follow only the principles you want everyone to followfollow only the principles you want everyone to follow

Mill’s UtilitarianismMill’s Utilitarianism

what will produce the best results for the what will produce the best results for the most?most?

Aristotle’s VirtueAristotle’s VirtueEthicsEthics

What kind of What kind of person are you?person are you?

Is there a moral issue?Is there a moral issue?

Am I responsible?Am I responsible?

Is it right-vs-wrong?Is it right-vs-wrong?

Is it right-vs-right paradigm?Is it right-vs-right paradigm?

What are the facts?What are the facts?

Apply the resolution principles.Apply the resolution principles.

Make the decision.Make the decision.

Is there a third way?Is there a third way?

Reflect on the decision.Reflect on the decision.

Events happen as they do. . . . Embrace what you get!

Epictetus

Three Traditions in Ethics

Rule-basedCharacter-

based Ends-based

Actions EndsAgents

Kant Aristotle J. S. Mill

Wicks, et al, Business Ethics (2010), Prentice Hall

Nonmaleficence

Autonomy

Commonprinciples

Provide help

Beneficence

Justice Responsibility

Do no harm Free to make choices

Fair treatmentObligations, expectations

Wicks, et al, Business Ethics (2010), Prentice Hall

for more on the dilemma paradigms see:Rushworth Kidder, How Good People Make Tough Choices. Quill, 2003.

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