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SS-NOTES-3

Ethical decision making involves choosing morally right actions and respecting people's rights, with a structured process that includes identifying problems, gathering information, evaluating alternatives, and making decisions. Various ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism, rights approach, and virtue ethics guide these decisions. Ethical organizations prioritize fairness, transparency, and responsibility, fostering a culture that encourages ethical behavior among all members.

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7 views

SS-NOTES-3

Ethical decision making involves choosing morally right actions and respecting people's rights, with a structured process that includes identifying problems, gathering information, evaluating alternatives, and making decisions. Various ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism, rights approach, and virtue ethics guide these decisions. Ethical organizations prioritize fairness, transparency, and responsibility, fostering a culture that encourages ethical behavior among all members.

Uploaded by

Shikhar Vijay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ethical Decision Making: In-Depth Analysis with Simple

Examples

I. What is Ethical Decision Making?


Ethical decision making means choosing actions that are morally right and fair. It involves:
 Thinking about right vs. wrong
 Respecting people’s rights
 Being honest, fair, and just
🔎 Simple Example:
A cashier finds extra money in the cash drawer. Should they report it or keep quiet?
👉 Reporting it is an ethical decision — it’s honest and respects company trust.

II. Process of Ethical Decision Making (Step-by-Step)


Step What It Means Simple Example
1. Identify the A manager sees a team member being
What is the ethical issue?
Problem bullied.
2. Gather What are the facts? Who is
Ask what happened, talk to witnesses.
Information involved?
3. Evaluate What can be done? What are the Options: talk to HR, warn the bully, do
Alternatives pros and cons? nothing.
4. Apply Ethical Use moral rules to judge Ask: What’s fair? What helps most
Principles options. people? What’s honest?
5. Make a Decision Pick the best option ethically. Decide to report the bullying to HR.
Take action and explain the
6. Implement Report to HR and support the victim.
decision.

III. Ethical Frameworks: With Simple Examples


Approach Main Idea Simple Example
Do what helps the most A hospital gives the only available ventilator to
Utilitarianism
people. the patient most likely to survive.
Rights Respect everyone’s basic A doctor gives full information before surgery so
Approach rights. the patient can decide.
Treat everyone equally and
Justice/Fairness A teacher grades all students by the same rules.
fairly.
Do what helps the whole A city makes masks mandatory during a virus
Common Good
group. outbreak to protect everyone.
Do what a good, honest A student finds a lost phone and turns it in, even
Virtue Ethics
person would do. when no one is watching.

IV. Suggestions for Ethical Decision Making (with Examples)


Suggestion Explanation Simple Example
1. Consider Think about good and bad Before firing a worker, think about how it
Consequences results. affects their family.
2. Follow Laws and A food company follows packaging rules
Obey the rules.
Regulations for allergy warnings.
3. Respect Rights and A patient has the right to say no to
Treat people with respect.
Dignity treatment.
A company promotes employees based on
4. Be Fair and Just Be neutral and equal.
skills, not favouritism.
5. Seek Input from A school board asks parents and teachers
Ask for advice.
Others before changing uniforms.
6. Be Honest and A company tells customers about delays in
Tell the truth clearly.
Transparent delivery.
Do the right thing even An employee reports their boss’s
7. Show Moral Courage
when it’s hard. corruption to protect the company.

V. Characteristics of an Ethical Organization (with Simple Examples)


Based on Mark Pastin’s view, ethical organizations:
Trait What It Means Simple Example
Care for employees, A company gives parents flexible work
Respect Stakeholders
customers, etc. hours.
Obsessed with Fairness Treat everyone fairly. A hiring panel avoids bias in interviews.
Encourage People take personal An engineer admits a design mistake and
Responsibility ownership. fixes it.
The company’s goal is clear A company focuses on sustainability, not
Purpose-Driven
and moral. just profits.
Transparent The CEO updates staff weekly about
Open and honest talking.
Communication company decisions.

💡 Summary Table for Quick Review


Topic Key Point Example
Ethical Meaning Doing what is morally right Returning lost money
Step-by-Step From identifying a problem to
Reporting a workplace issue
Process acting
Utilitarianism Maximize overall good Save the most lives with one vaccine
Rights Approach Respect individual rights Letting patients choose treatment
Justice/Fairness Treat everyone equally Equal pay for same job
Common Good Help society as a whole City bans plastic bags
Virtue Ethics Be a person of good character Not cheating in an exam
Think consequences, respect,
Suggestions Asking for feedback, being honest
fairness
Fair, open, purpose-driven Employee-owned companies like John
Ethical Culture
organizations Lewis

✅ Conclusion
Ethical decision making isn’t just for big leaders or hard problems — it’s something we all do
every day. By:
 Following a structured process,
 Using ethical principles, and
 Acting with fairness and honesty,
We can make decisions that build trust, respect others, and lead to better outcomes — both
personally and professionally.

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