Fitzpatrick, "An Ethical Decision Making Model"
Notable for ranking facts in order of importance
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Fitzpatrick, Dan. "An Ethical Decision Making Model." 1998. http://www.skidmore.edu/~dfitzpat/death/ethics.txt (10 Jun. 1999).
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- State ethical dilemma in plain language.
- State facts of the case in order of importance.
- Identify position and purpose of involved persons.
- List alternative courses of action.
- Identify relevant values underlying these alternatives.
- Rank order consequences in terms of certain harmful or beneficial effects.
- State decision.
- How will decision be implemented?
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" [step 1]
- has plenty of time for investigation and analysis [steps 4-6]
- is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning [step 6]
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that will change little over time
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
