Basic criteria for ethical judgment

Thinking Critically About Ethical IssuesVincent Ryan Ruggiero

Factors that influence our ethical decisionsFamilyReligionLawMajority viewsFeelingsCultureConscience

Fundamental goodRespect for personsEvery person is worthy of sympathetic

considerationNo one should be regarded as a possession of

anotherNo one should ever be treated as a mere

expendable

Three basic criteriaObligations (based on relationships)Moral ideals (notions of excellence)Consequences (to all, over time)

Ethically, what should people do?Demonstrate respect for persons by honoring

relevant obligations and ideals and by producing favorable consequences.

Ruggiero’s decision making process1. Study the details of the case2. Identify the relevant criteria

• Obligations• Moral ideals• Consequences

3. Determine possible courses of action4. Decide which is the most ethical action

Using generalizationsWe should avoid using unqualified general

rules to short cut the processAlways want to ask: Is there anything about

the case that makes it an exception to the rule?

Other errors to avoidDouble standardsUnwarranted assumptionsOversimplificationsHasty conclusions

ObligationsBased on our personal and professional rolesWe also have obligations to make amends, be

grateful, improve ourselves, be just, do good to others and avoid doing them harm (W.D. Ross)

When obligations conflictBe thorough about identifying and weighing

all relevant obligationsConsider the relative importance of each and

give preference to the more important one

Considering moral idealsFour cardinal virtues: Prudence, justice,

temperance, courageOther important ethical ideals: fairness,

tolerance, compassion, loyalty, forgiveness, amity and peace

In cases of conflict between obligations and ideals

Choose the action that will result in the greater good or the lesser evil

ConsequencesHuman actions can’t be predicted with

certainty. You have to deal with probability.Must consider intended and unintended,

immediate as well as delayed, emotional and intellectual as well as physical consequences.

Ethical dilemmasAny predicament that arises from the

impossibility of honoring all moral values that deserve honoring.

Always seek a third alternative as a possible way to avoid the dilemma