The Full Checklist
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- can tolerate ambiguity, complexity or conflict
- cultivates personal virtues
- has a working knowledge of several ethical theories
- has easy access to advisors, consultants or role-players
- has easy access to stakeholders
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features"
- has keen insight into human motivation
- has plenty of time for investigation and analysis
- is poised to act and merely wants to confirm the moral validity of the action
- is skilled in case-based, precedent-based or example-based reasoning
- is skilled in causal or consequential reasoning
- is skilled in conflict- or dilemma-resolution methods
- is skilled in dialectical reasoning or debate
- is skilled in semantic or conceptual analysis
- is skilled in the application of general ethical principles to specific cases
- is skilled in the formulation and evaluation of ethical arguments
- is willing to frame the issue in numerical or quasi-numerical terms
- uses a "bookkeeping" system that allows multiple alternatives to be tracked, scored, ranked and compared
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that is relatively simple
- that will change little over time
- where an immediate decision is required
- where an optimal decision is required
- where much is at stake
- where the decision-maker is also a stakeholder
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share ethical codes or policies
- share ethical principles
- share laws and legal precedents
- share values
