Ethical Decision Making Models - · PDF file3 Ethical Decision‐Making Models: 1.) Applying...
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Ethical Decision‐Making Models for Scholastic Media Publications Maggie Cogar Kent State University
Transcript of Ethical Decision Making Models - · PDF file3 Ethical Decision‐Making Models: 1.) Applying...
EthicalDecision‐MakingModels
for
ScholasticMediaPublications
MaggieCogarKentStateUniversity
2
Summary/Rationale:
“Thatdoesnotmean,however,thatthereisnologicalandsequentialprocessforethicaldecision‐making.True,wemaynotbeawarethatapatternexists,butthatdoesnotmeanthatthereisnopattern…Developingrealskillatethicsrequiresthatintelligencefusewithintuition,thattheprocessbeinternalized,andthatdecisionsbemadequickly,andnaturally”(Kidder,p.180).
Ethicalfitnessshouldbethegoalofalljournalists,butitisnotmerelyanacquiredskill.Ittakesconsciencepracticeanddiscussion.Ittakesspecifictraininginethicaldecision‐makingsothatjournalistscan“internalize”thedecision‐makingprocessandsothatsoundethicaldecisionscanbemadeswiftly,underthepressureofdeadlines.
Thistrainingcan,andindeedshould,beginatthehighschoollevel.Everystudentmediastaffiseventuallyfacedwiththequestion–shouldwepublishit?
Mostoften,theanswertothisquestionisnotaclearyesorno(orarightvs.wronganswer),butratherjournalistsaremostoftenfacedwithwhatauthorRushworthKiddercalls,“rightvs.right”decisions.Thisconceptspeakstothecomplexityofdecision‐makinginthemedia.So,withthecomplexitiesofthedecisionsthatneedtobemade,howdohighschooljournalistsdecidewhattopublish?
Thispacketismeanttohelpadvisersofstudentmediateachstudentshowtomakeethicaldecisionsunderpressure.Itpresentsfourdifferentethicaldecision‐makingmodels(adaptedfromthemediatextbookslistedbelow)studentscanapplywhenmakingtheirnextdifficultethicaldecision.Thepacketalsogivesadvisersfourethicalscenariostousewithstudentstopracticetheirethicaldecision‐makingskillsandfoursampleresolutionsforthosescenarios.Allofthisismeanttohelpguideadvisersandstudentsthroughtheprocessofmakingethicaldecisionsthatare“right”forthemasastaff.
*EthicalDecision‐MakingModelsadaptedfromHowGoodPeopleMakeToughChoicesbyRushworthKidderandfromMediaEthicsbyPhilipPatterson&LeeWilkins…Kidder,R.(2003).Howgoodpeoplemaketoughchoices.NewYork:HarperPaperbacks.Wilkins,L.,&Patterson,P.(2008).Mediaethics:Issuesandcases.(6thed.).McGraw‐HillHigherEducation.
EthicalDecision‐MakingModelsforScholasticMediaPublications
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EthicalDecision‐MakingModels:1.)ApplyingtheThreePrinciplesforResolvingDilemmas–EthicsWorksheet#1‐pages4‐52.)UsingthePotterBoxtoMakeEthicalDecisions–EthicsWorksheet#2‐pages6‐73.)UsingtheBokModeltoMakeEthicalDecisions–EthicsWorksheet#3‐pages8‐94.)UsingtheNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making–EthicsWorksheet#4–
pages10‐11
EthicalScenarios:
1.)Ethicalscenarios#1–page12
2.)Ethicalscenarios#3–page13*Formorejournalismrelatedethicalscenariosvisit…
http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/
EthicalScenarioResolutions:
1.)Ethicalscenario#1–page14‐15
2.)Ethicalscenario#2–page16‐173.)Ethicalscenario#3–page18‐194.)Ethicalscenario#4–page20‐21
TableofContents
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#1–ThreePrinciples
Applyingthe“ThreePrinciplesforResolvingDilemmas”*AdaptedfromHowGoodPeopleMakeToughChoicesbyRushworthKidder(p.152‐158)Ends–BasedThinking–“Dowhat’sbestforthegreatestnumberofpeople.”Rule–BasedThinking–“Followyourhighersenseofprinciple.”Care–BasedThinking–“Dowhatyouwantotherstodotoyou.”*Examinetheethicaldilemmausingeachofthethreeprinciplesdefinedabove.Discusseachquestionforeachprincipleandthepossiblestrengthsandweaknessesbelow.Principle: Questionstoconsider: Questionanswers: Possible
strengths&weaknessesofthisdecision:
Ends–Based
Whatwilleventuallyhappenifthisdecisionismade?
Whatarethepossibleoutcomes?
Withthatinmind,whatdecisionbenefitsthegreatestnumberofpeople?
Rule–Based
Whatistheuniversally“right”decision?(universallaw)
Whatstandardsshouldbefollowedregardingthisdecision?
Care–Based
Imagineyourselfintheirshoes…
Whatwouldwewantdonetousinthissituation?(examineallstakeholders)
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#1–ThreePrinciples Afterdiscussingthethreeprinciplesinthechart,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#2–ThePotterBox
UsingthePotterBoxtoMakeEthicalDecisions*AdaptedfromMediaEthicsbyPhilipPatterson&LeeWilkins–6thedition,2008
“ThePotterBoxhasfourstepsthatshouldbetakeninorder…Youprocessthroughthefourstepsinacounterclockwisefashion,beginningwiththefactualsituation”(p.100‐101).
UnderstandingtheFacts–Discussallthefactsofthecasewiththoseinvolvedinmakingthedecision.
OutliningValues–Whatisvaluedbythosemakingthedecisions?Howdoesthisimpacttheethicaldecision?Whenanideaorprincipleisvalued,itmeansoneiswillingtogiveupsomethingforit.
ApplicationofPhilosophicalPrinciples–Onceitisdecidedwhatisvalued,philosophicalprinciplesshouldbeapplied. (examineAristotle’sGoldenMean,Kant’sCategoricalImperativeandUtilitarianism)ArticulationofLoyalties–“Potterviewedloyaltyasasocialcommitment”(MediaEthics101).Inthisfinalstep,loyaltiesshouldbeexaminedtoseeifanyofthemconflict.
FACTS LOYALTIES
VALUES PRINCIPLES
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#2–ThePotterBox
*ExaminetheethicaldilemmausingallfourpartsofthePotterBoxchartbelow.Afteranalyzingthedilemmathoroughly,makeafinalethicaldecision.
Whatarethefacts?
Whatareyourvalues?Dotheyimpacttheethicaldecision?
Applythe3principlesdiscussed.Whatisthedecisionbasedoneachprinciple?
Arethereanyconflictingloyalties?
THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…
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Theethicaldilemma…
ConsultyourconscienceHowdoyoufeelabouttheaction?
SeekexpertadviceIsthereanotherwaytoachievethesamegoalthatwillnotraiseethicalissues?
ConductapublicdiscussionHowwillothersrespondtotheproposedact?
ETHICSWORKSHEET#3–Bok’sModel
UsingBok’sModeltoMakeEthicalDecisions*AdaptedfromMediaEthicsbyPhilipPatterson&LeeWilkins–6thedition,2008
“Bok’smodelisbasedontwopremises:thatwemusthaveempathyforthepeopleinvolvedinethicaldecisionsandthatmaintainingsocialtrustisafundamentalgoal”(p.4‐5).
Boksaysanethicaldecisionshouldbeanalyzedinthreesteps…1.)Consultyourownconscience–“aboutthe‘rightness’ofanaction”(p.5).
Howdoyoufeelabouttheaction?2.)Seekexpertadvice–for“alternativestotheactcreatingtheethicalproblem”(p.5).
Isthereanotherwaytoachievethesamegoalthatwillnotraiseethicalissues?3.)Conductapublicdiscussion–“withthepartiesinvolvedinthedispute.Iftheycannotbegathered,conductthediscussionhypothetically”(p.5).
Howwillothersrespondtotheproposedact?
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#3–Bok’sModel Afterdiscussingthechart,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#4–NineCheckpoints
UsingtheNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making*AdaptedfromHowGoodPeopleMakeToughChoicesbyRushworthKidder(p.178‐186)
InhisNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making,Kidderexplainsthe“logicalandsequentialprocess”fordealingwiththeethicalissuesthatoftenariseineverydaylife.What’shelpfulabouthisstepsisthefactthattheyincorporatemultipleethicaltheoriesintoauseablelistforeverydayethicaldecisionmaking(p.178‐186).
Kidder’sNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making(frompages178‐186)1.)Recognizethatthereisamoralissue–Whatisthetrueethicaldilemma?
2.)Determinetheactor–Whosemoralorethicalissueisit?
3.)Gathertherelevantfacts–Whataretheimportantfactsfortheethicaldilemma?
4.)Testforrightversuswrongissues–Isthereaclearlyrightorwronganswer?
5.)Testforrightversusrightparadigms–“Whatsortofdilemmaisthis?”(p.183)(truthvs.loyalty,selfvs.community,short‐termvs.long‐termorjusticevs.mercy)
6.)Applytheresolutionprinciples–Whataresomeofthepossibleresolutionstothedilemma?(UseAristotle’sGoldenMean,Kant’sCategoricalImperativeandUtilitarianismtoreason)
7.)Investigatethe“trilemma”options–“Isthereathirdwaythroughthisdilemma?”(p.184)
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Afterdiscussingthechecklist,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…
Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…
Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…
8.)Makethedecision–Afterapplyingcheckpoints#1‐7,whatisthebestpossibleresolution?
9.)Revisitandreflectonthedecision–Afterthedecisionwasmadeandtheconsequenceshaveoccurred,askwasthisthebestdecision?
ETHICSWORKSHEET#4–NineCheckpoints
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PRACTICEETHICALSCENARIOS
*Usetheethicalscenariosbelowtopracticeethicaldecision‐making.EthicalScenario#1
ArecentrumorgoingaroundtheschoolaccusesJohnSmith,thestudentcouncilpresident,
ofawildnightofpartyingaftertherecenthomecomingdance.Thestudentisalsothevice
presidentofthelocalSADD(StudentsAgainstDrunkDriving)chapter.
Anewspaperreporter/staffmembercatcheswindofthepotentialstoryanddoessome
preliminaryresearch.ShefindsnumeroussourcesconfirmingJohn’sattendanceatthepartyandisabletoaccesspicturesofhimpartyingonFacebook.ShealsodiscovershehasrecentlybeenforcedtoresignastheSADDvicepresidentandissupposedtodiscusshispositionasstudentcouncilpresidenttomorrowwiththeadministration.
It’sdeadlinenightandyourstaffwantstorunthestory.Doesthestorygotoprinttonight?IsitoktousethepicturesoffofFacebookifitdoesrun?
Whatshouldbeincludedinthestoryifitdoesrun?
EthicalScenario#2
Thenewspaperstaffwantstorunaserious,well‐researchedpieceonthegrowingissueof
daterapeatparties.Onefemalestudent,ajunior,hearsofthenewspaper’supcomingstoryondaterapeandcomesforwardasasource.SheclaimsshewasdaterapedlastHalloweenata
collegeparty.Severalofherfriendsconfirmherstoryandsheisinterviewedasapotential
sourceforthearticle.
Doesthenewspaperuseherasasource?Ifso,issheananonymoussourceornamedsource?
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PRACTICEETHICALSCENARIOS
*Usetheethicalscenariosbelowtopracticeethicaldecision‐making.EthicalScenario#3
Anewspaperreporter/staffmembercatcheswindofapotentialstoryontheoutbreakof
bedbugswithintheschoolandapproachestheeditorforhis/heropinion.Shehearsoftwo
differentincidenceswherestudentswerepulledoutofclasstoremovebedbugsfromthemand
theirclothing.Shewantstointerviewbothofthesestudents,aswellastheprincipalandguidancecounselorsforthestory.
Shouldthisstorybecovered?Shouldthereporterinterviewthosestudentsassourcesifitiscovered?Howshouldthisstorybeapproachedifitiscovered?
EthicalScenario#4
Astudentcomesforthandgivesatiptothenewspaperstaffforapotentialstory.Sheasks
toremainunidentified(andnooneonstaffrecognizesherwhenshecomesintogivethetip).
Shetellstheeditorthat“someonesheknows”hascreatedahitlistofotherstudentsatthe
school.SheclaimssophomoreDerrickJoneshascreatedthelistandthatheplanstofollow
throughwithhisplans“soon.”Thenewspaperadvisernotifiestheadministrationofthis“tip,”andtellsthemthestudent
lefttheclassunidentified.Theadministrationsaystheywillinvestigatethetip.
It’sdeadlinenightandyourstaffwantstorunthestory.Doesthestorygotoprinttonight?Isitoktousetheinformationfromtheanonymous
source??Whatshouldbeincludedinthestoryifitdoesrun?
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POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#1ETHICSWORKSHEET#1–ThreePrinciples
Applyingthe“ThreePrinciplesforResolvingDilemmas”*AdaptedfromHowGoodPeopleMakeToughChoicesbyRushworthKidder(P.152‐158)Ends–BasedThinking–“Dowhat’sbestforthegreatestnumberofpeople.”Rule–BasedThinking–“Followyourhighersenseofprinciple.”Care–BasedThinking–“Dowhatyouwantotherstodotoyou.”*Examinetheethicaldilemmausingeachofthethreeprinciplesdefinedabove.Discusseachquestionforeachprincipleandthepossiblestrengthsandweaknessesbelow.Principle: Questionstoconsider: Questionanswers: Possible
strengths&weaknessesofthisdecision:
Ends–Based
Whatwilleventuallyhappenifthisdecisionismade?
Whatarethepossibleoutcomes?
Withthatinmind,whatdecisionbenefitsthegreatestnumberofpeople?
‐ IfthestoryrunsJohn’sreputationcouldberuined.‐Onepossibleoutcomeisthatthisstorydetersothersfromdrinking.‐Runningthestorybenefitsthegreatest#ofpeople.
‐ Thestrengthisthatitcoulddeterdrinkinganditisverynewsworthy.SADDwillnowneedanewVP.‐Theweaknessiswhetheritviolateshisprivacyandbecausehe’saminor.
Rule–Based
Whatistheuniversally“right”decision?(universallaw)
Whatstandardsshouldbefollowedregardingthisdecision?
‐ The“right”decisionmightjustbetocoverhisremovalfromoffice,butnotgointodetailabouttheparty.Picturescouldalsobeofflimitsbecausetheyviolatehisprivacyevenmore.
‐ Astrengthinthisdecisionisthatitcoversthenewsworthypartofthestorywithoutextortingthesubjectofthestory.‐Aweaknessisnoarttorunwithstory.
Care–Based
Imagineyourselfintheirshoes…
Whatwouldwewantdonetousinthissituation?(examineallstakeholders)
‐ NowaywouldIwantthisstorytorun!JustbecauseImakeonebaddecisiondoesn’tmeanIshouldbepubliclyhumiliated.
‐ Theweaknessofthisdecisionisthatthestorywouldgoun‐coveredandstudentswouldnotbenefitfromknowingaboutpartyingconsequences.
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POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#1
ETHICSWORKSHEET#1–ThreePrinciplesAfterdiscussingthethreeprinciplesinthechart,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Torunthestory–butnotallofit.SomethingneedstobecoveredtoinformstudentsoftheconsequencesofdrinkingandofthenewsworthyeventofanewSADDVicePresident,butourgoalisnottocompletelyhumiliateJohn.Peoplewillalreadybetalkingaboutthis,soweplanonrunningthefactsofhisremovalfromoffice,butnotofhispartying.WeplanonrunningasmallstoryonhisremovalfromSADD(withnopicturesfromFacebook).Wealsoplanondoinganin‐depthfeatureonthedangersofdrinkinginournextissue.Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Ourdecisionisbasedonends‐basedandcare‐basedthinking.Webelieverunningthearticlewillbenefitthegreatestnumberofpeople,butwealsoaretryingtokeepJohninmind.Wewanttorunthenews,butnotattheexpenseofcompletelyhumiliatingJohn.Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…Thestoryneedstobecovered,somehow.Everyonewillbetalkingaboutthisstoryandtonotcoveritwouldbetoignoreaveryseriousnewsevent.Webelieveasmallnewsstoryisthebestoptionbecauseitallowsforpeopletogettherealfactsfromcrediblesources(liketheprincipalandtheSADDadviser).Wealsobelievethein‐depthfeatureinournextissuewillbeinthebestinterestofourreaders.
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POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#2
ETHICSWORKSHEET#2–ThePotterBoxUsingthePotterBoxtoMakeEthicalDecisions*AdaptedfromMediaEthicsbyPhilipPatterson&LeeWilkins–6thedition,2008
“ThePotterBoxhasfourstepsthatshouldbetakeninorder…Youprocessthroughthefourstepsinacounterclockwisefashion,beginningwiththefactualsituation”(p.100‐101).
UnderstandingtheFacts–Discussallthefactsofthecasewiththoseinvolvedinmakingthedecision.
OutliningValues–Whatisvaluedbythosemakingthedecisions?Howdoesthisimpacttheethicaldecision?Whenanideaorprincipleisvalued,itmeansoneiswillingtogiveupsomethingforit.
ApplicationofPhilosophicalPrinciples–Onceitisdecidedwhatisvalued,philosophicalprinciplesshouldbeapplied. (examineAristotle’sGoldenMean,Kant’sCategoricalImperativeandUtilitarianism)ArticulationofLoyalties–“Potterviewedloyaltyasasocialcommitment”(MediaEthics101).Inthisfinalstep,loyaltiesshouldbeexaminedtoseeifanyofthemconflict.
FACTS LOYALTIES
VALUES PRINCIPLES
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#2–ThePotterBoxPOTENTIALRESOLUTION
EthicalScenario#2*ExaminetheethicaldilemmausingallfourpartsofthePotterBoxchartbelow.Afteranalyzingthedilemmathoroughly,makeafinalethicaldecision.
Whatarethefacts?
Whatareyourvalues?Dotheyimpacttheethicaldecision?
Applythe3principlesdiscussed.Whatisthedecisionbasedoneachprinciple?
Arethereanyconflictingloyalties?
THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Nottouseherasasource.It’sasensitiveissuethatshemightregretdiscussinglateroraftersheseesitinprint.However,wecouldpossibleuseoneofherfriendsasasourcetodiscusstheimpactofthedaterapeonherfriend,withoutnamingthefriendandthusprotectingheridentity.Ourgoalforthisarticleistoinformourreadersofdaterape,andwedon’treallyneedherasasourcetoreachourgoal.Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Mainlyour“OutliningValues.”Wevaluetheprivacyofoursourceswhenitcomestosensitiveissues.Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…Webelievethisisbestbecausewecanstillinformourreaderswithoutpotentiallydamagingoursource.
‐Daterapeisaseriousissueandstudentsneedtobeawareofit
‐Onestudentclaimstohavebeendate‐rapedandherfriendsbackherup
‐Wevalueagirlsrighttosayno
‐Wevalueoursource’sprivacyonsensitiveissues
‐YES…ourvaluesimpacttheethicaldecision
‐ YES
‐Wehavealoyaltytoourreaders,tothepotentialsourceandtothemanwhosheclaimsrapedher.Thebestinterestofallthoseloyaltiesconflict.Butourfirstloyaltyistoourreaders.
‐ BasedontheFACTSwedon’tuseherasasource.Wejustdon’thaveenoughfactstobesuresheisareliablesource.
‐BasedonourVALUESwedon’tuseherasasourcetoguardherprivacyonasensitiveissue.
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POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#3
ETHICSWORKSHEET#3–Bok’sModel
UsingBok’sModeltoMakeEthicalDecisions*AdaptedfromMediaEthicsbyPhilipPatterson&LeeWilkins–6thedition,2008
“Bok’smodelisbasedontwopremises:thatwemusthaveempathyforthepeopleinvolvedinethicaldecisionsandthatmaintainingsocialtrustisafundamentalgoal”(4‐5).
Boksaysanethicaldecisionshouldbeanalyzedinthreesteps…1.)Consultyourownconscience–“aboutthe‘rightness’ofanaction”(p.5).
Howdoyoufeelabouttheaction?2.)Seekexpertadvice–for“alternativestotheactcreatingtheethicalproblem”(p.5).
Isthereanotherwaytoachievethesamegoalthatwillnotraiseethicalissues?3.)Conductapublicdiscussion–“withthepartiesinvolvedinthedispute.Iftheycannotbegathered,conductthediscussionhypothetically”(p.5).
Howwillothersrespondtotheproposedact?
Theethicaldilemma…
Studentswanttorunastoryonbedbugsandinterview2studentswhohadbedbugsonthematschool.
ConsultyourconscienceHowdoyoufeelabouttheaction?
Ifeelit’simportanttoinformstudentsofbedbugsintheschoolandofthebestwaystoavoidcarryingthemhome.Myguttellsmeitwouldbewrongtoembarrassthepeoplewhodohavebedbugs,though.Somepeoplestillthinkonlydirtypeoplegetbedbugs.
SeekexpertadviceIsthereanotherwaytoachievethesamegoalthatwillnotraiseethicalissues?
(Hereweshouldtalktoouradviserandtoothernewsroomprofessionals)
Wecouldrunastoryonbedbugs(whattheyare,etc.)andhavetheprincipalconfirmwehavethemattheschool,butwedon’tneedtointerviewthepeoplewhohavethem.
ConductapublicdiscussionHowwillothersrespondtotheproposedact?
Wecantalktootherpeopleandseewhattheythinkaboutthestory.Wecanbringinasampleofstudentsontheirlunchintoastaffmeetingandseewhattheythinkaboutthecoverage.
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POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#3
ETHICSWORKSHEET#3–Bok’sModel Afterdiscussingthechart,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Torunthestoryonbedbugs…webelieveit’sinthebestinterestofourstudentstoknowaboutbedbugsandhowtopreventbringingthemhomewiththem.Wealsowanttodispelanymisconceptionsaboutbedbugs.Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Wemainlyfocusedon“consultingourconscience.”Wedidn’tfeelitwasrighttotargetstudentswithbedbugs,butwedidfeelitwasrighttoinformourreadersoftheproblem.
Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…Thisdecisionisthebestonebecauseitallowsustoinformourreaderswhilenotembarrassingstudents/sourceswhohavenotdoneanythingwrong.
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#4–NineCheckpoints
UsingtheNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making*AdaptedfromHowGoodPeopleMakeToughChoicesbyRushworthKidder(p.178‐186)
InhisNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making,Kidderexplainsthe“logicalandsequentialprocess”fordealingwiththeethicalissuesthatoftenariseineverydaylife.What’shelpfulabouthisstepsisthefactthattheyincorporatemultipleethicaltheoriesintoauseablelistforeverydayethicaldecision‐making(p.178‐186).
Kidder’sNineCheckpointsforEthicalDecision‐Making(frompages178‐186)1.)Recognizethatthereisamoralissue–Whatisthetrueethicaldilemma?
Thesafetyofstudentscouldbeatstake…buthowdoweknowshe’stellingthetruth?Shewon’tidentifyherself(whichisevenmoresuspicious).Dowerunthestory?
2.)Determinetheactor–Whosemoralorethicalissueisit?
It’sourethicalissue.Wecouldchoosetoignoreherortotakeherseriously.
3.)Gathertherelevantfacts–Whataretheimportantfactsfortheethicaldilemma?
Thefacts–thepotentialgunmanisDerrickJones(butthereisnoevidencetothis)andanunidentifiedstudentgaveusethetip.Ifhedoesfollowthroughwithhisplans,thesourceclaimsitwillhappen“soon.”
4.)Testforrightversuswrongissues–Isthereaclearlyrightorwronganswer? No.Thereisnorightversuswronganswer.Ifwedon’trunit andtheshootinghappenssoon,wecouldhaveprotectedthebestinterestofthestudents.Ifwedorunitandit’srumor,wecanspreadpanicinthebuildingandpotentiallydamageastudent’sreputation(ifwerunthename).Ifit’snottrue,wecouldalsodamageourcredibilityasapublication.
5.)Testforrightversusrightparadigms–“Whatsortofdilemmaisthis?”(p.183)(truthvs.loyalty,selfvs.community,short‐termvs.long‐termorjusticevs.mercy)
Thiscouldbeconsideredatruthvs.loyaltyandaselfvs.communitydilemma(dependingonhowyoulookatit).
6.)Applytheresolutionprinciples–Whataresomeofthepossibleresolutionstothedilemma?(UseAristotle’sGoldenMean,Kant’sCategoricalImperativeandUtilitarianismtoreason)
Possibleresolutionsincluderunningthestorybutnotrunningthenameofthepotentialshooter.Anotherpossibleresolutionistonotrunthestoryatall.
7.)Investigatethe“trilemma”options–“Isthereathirdwaythroughthisdilemma?(p.184)
Thethirdwayistolettheadministratordealwiththethreatfirstandtorunthestorywhenthereismoresolidevidencetobackuptheclaim.
POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#4
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ETHICSWORKSHEET#4–NineCheckpoints
8.)Makethedecision–Afterapplyingcheckpoints#1‐7,whatisthebestpossibleresolution?Wethinkthebestdecisionisthethirdone…towaituntilthereismorefactsandevidencetobasethestoryon.Wedon’twanttoriskdamagingthereputationofourpublicationifitisfalseandifitturnsouttobetrue,theadministrationwillcloseschoolormakethenecessaryadjustmentstoensurethesafetyofthestudents.
9.)Revisitandreflectonthedecision–Afterthedecisionwasmadeandtheconsequenceshaveoccurred,askwasthisthebestdecision?Notsureonthisone….it’sapracticescenario!Itwouldbeinterestingtoreflectontheconsequencesofourdecisionshouldthisreallyhappen(butwehopethisdoesn’thappen).
Afterdiscussingthechecklist,makethedecisionandsupportthatdecisionbelow.THEVERDICT…Ourfinaldecisionis…Towaituntilthereismoreinformationbeforeprintingthestory(see#8above).Wemadethisdecisionusingthefollowingethicalprinciple(s)…Well,wedidn’tapplyKant’sCategoricalImperativebecausethatwouldhavecalledforustoprintthestory,justincaseitmightbetrue.WeutilizedmoreoftheGoldenMean…wefoundthemiddlegroundbetweentwoextremes.Wedidn’tchoosenottorunthestoryatall;wejustchoosetowaituntilwehadmoresubstantialevidence.Whywebelievethisdecisionisthebestone…Becausewewon’tincitepanicandwewon’tdamagethecredibilityofourpublication.Plus,wejustdon’thaveanyevidencethatmakesthistruth.
POTENTIALRESOLUTIONEthicalScenario#4
