Reasoning, Power, and Worldviews as Decision Forces
Ethical decision-making can be defined as a process where individuals use their moral
code to determine whether a particular issue is right or wrong (Zollo et al., 2017). Ethical
considerations, reasoning, and worldview ideals should be considered when making ethical
decisions. When it comes to power, one’s level of power and perception of power is crucial to
how it impacts their decision-making. In healthcare, there are always decisions to be made, and
helping others make decisions using the appropriate problem-solving tools and moral compass
help always to do the right thing. Always remembering our God-given purpose in life can keep
us on the right path in making ethical decisions.
Decision Making & Ethical Decision Making
Everyone faces many decisions in life—some bigger than others. Decision-making is part
of ethical behaviors and actions (Johnson, 2022). Ethical decision-making encompasses standard
ethics to consider which decisions are better than others (Small & Lew, 2019). Ethical decision-
making is not always straightforward, even for primarily ethical people, because there are always
various factors at play when trying to make the right decisions. A person’s basic characteristics
and virtues play a role in making ethical decisions as long as it is tapped into.
Ethical Considerations, Reasoning, and Worldviews
The first step in ethical decision-making is being aware of a moral decision. Ethical
decision-making is a process where moral reasoning is based on intuition or emotion (Zollo et
al., 2017). Moral intensity is recognizing that an ethical problem exists (Johnson, 2022). People
aware of moral intensity are also mindful of how certain behaviors impact others. This leads to
, moral attentiveness, which can be either awareness in everyday life or morality in routine
decision-making(Johnson, 2022). This can be based on worldview and previous experiences.
With this level of awareness, people can use moral imagination or step outside of personal
understanding to consider others’ views and opinions when making decisions (Johnson, 2022).
When looking at all angles and being aware of our own and other cognitive biases before making
a decision, one is demonstrating moral intent, meaning they are purposefully trying to make the
right decision (Small & Lew, 2019). Thus, mindfulness and awareness are crucial to the ethical
decision-making process.
Power & Ethical Decision-Making
Power can help enhance ethical decision-making, but more often than not, it makes it
easier not to make ethical decisions. The higher level of power someone has, the less likely
followers will call them out for unethical decisions for fear of retaliation. This allows those
people to go unchecked and continue their unethical behavior. Over time, it becomes easier for
someone in power to continue making unethical decisions because their actions have no
repercussions. After all, no one is willing to call them out. Our government is an unfortunate
example of this unethical behavior of people with power. They often overlook one another’s
unethical behavior, find ways to benefit personally from it, and try to justify their unethical
behavior (Johnson, 2022). Not every person in power has lost their sense of ethics, but it appears
challenging to remain ethical with a certain level of power.
Healthcare & Ethical Decision-Making
Ethical decision-making can be defined as a process where individuals use their moral
code to determine whether a particular issue is right or wrong (Zollo et al., 2017). Ethical
considerations, reasoning, and worldview ideals should be considered when making ethical
decisions. When it comes to power, one’s level of power and perception of power is crucial to
how it impacts their decision-making. In healthcare, there are always decisions to be made, and
helping others make decisions using the appropriate problem-solving tools and moral compass
help always to do the right thing. Always remembering our God-given purpose in life can keep
us on the right path in making ethical decisions.
Decision Making & Ethical Decision Making
Everyone faces many decisions in life—some bigger than others. Decision-making is part
of ethical behaviors and actions (Johnson, 2022). Ethical decision-making encompasses standard
ethics to consider which decisions are better than others (Small & Lew, 2019). Ethical decision-
making is not always straightforward, even for primarily ethical people, because there are always
various factors at play when trying to make the right decisions. A person’s basic characteristics
and virtues play a role in making ethical decisions as long as it is tapped into.
Ethical Considerations, Reasoning, and Worldviews
The first step in ethical decision-making is being aware of a moral decision. Ethical
decision-making is a process where moral reasoning is based on intuition or emotion (Zollo et
al., 2017). Moral intensity is recognizing that an ethical problem exists (Johnson, 2022). People
aware of moral intensity are also mindful of how certain behaviors impact others. This leads to
, moral attentiveness, which can be either awareness in everyday life or morality in routine
decision-making(Johnson, 2022). This can be based on worldview and previous experiences.
With this level of awareness, people can use moral imagination or step outside of personal
understanding to consider others’ views and opinions when making decisions (Johnson, 2022).
When looking at all angles and being aware of our own and other cognitive biases before making
a decision, one is demonstrating moral intent, meaning they are purposefully trying to make the
right decision (Small & Lew, 2019). Thus, mindfulness and awareness are crucial to the ethical
decision-making process.
Power & Ethical Decision-Making
Power can help enhance ethical decision-making, but more often than not, it makes it
easier not to make ethical decisions. The higher level of power someone has, the less likely
followers will call them out for unethical decisions for fear of retaliation. This allows those
people to go unchecked and continue their unethical behavior. Over time, it becomes easier for
someone in power to continue making unethical decisions because their actions have no
repercussions. After all, no one is willing to call them out. Our government is an unfortunate
example of this unethical behavior of people with power. They often overlook one another’s
unethical behavior, find ways to benefit personally from it, and try to justify their unethical
behavior (Johnson, 2022). Not every person in power has lost their sense of ethics, but it appears
challenging to remain ethical with a certain level of power.
Healthcare & Ethical Decision-Making
