Josephson Institute, "Ethical Decision-making Model"
Notable for its compactness, for its youth-friendly approach, and for allowing one kind of value to "trump" another
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Waldfogel, Dean. "Ethical Decision-making Model." 1996. http://www.iusd.k12.ca.us/curriculum/ethics/tsld028.htm (9 Jun. 1999).
This model is intended for use with youth of high school age.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Identify stakeholders.
- Identify values: ethical and non-ethical.
- Ethical values trump non-ethical values.
- If two ethical values conflict, the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number wins.
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [steps 1 and 2]
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that is relatively simple
- where an immediate decision is required
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share values [steps 2, 3 and 4]
