Darty, "The Ethical Decision-making Process"
Notable for considering whether it is necessary to take any action
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Darty, Mark. "The Ethical Decision-making Process." 1998. http://grants.cohpa.ucf.edu/age-ethics/ethical_process/ (10 Jun. 1999).
This is a decision-making process used by a community-based ethics committee.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Is a decision to act necessary?
- What are the ethical principles involved in this case?
- What may happen if nothing is done?
- Who are the people involved and what is their role?
- What is the desired outcome?
- Will the decision to act or not to act have a negative or positive impact on a person or persons?
- What are the reasons for noting one choice above another?
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features" [step 1]
- is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [steps 3 and 6]
- is skilled in the application of general ethical principles to specific cases [step 2]
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that will change little over time
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share ethical principles [step 2]
