Parameters of Ethical Decision Making
Capella University
Parameters of Ethical Decision Making
Ethical decisions in today’s corporations can be problematic and often makes the news,
whether it be for the betterment or for the detriment of mankind. We see it on social media, in
newspapers and even in our own communities. It is difficult to have a day go by without being
exposed to an ethical decision. What is an ethical dilemma? An ethical dilemma (ethical
paradox or moral dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making process between two possible
options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective (NA, 2019).
, Ethical dilemmas are complicated and cannot be easily solved. There are consequences
involved if the right approach is not used. For example, if an employee uses another employee’s
idea and later it was found out that this was untrue, that employee may lose his/her job because
of that unethical decision. The employee did not weigh the pros and cons of their action
completely and the result could be disastrous.
The five following approaches are a way to help businesses and persons tackle tough
ethical decisions. They are popularly used amongst corporations and individuals alike.
Utilitarian
Rights
Justice
Common Good
Virtue
The utilitarian approach tackles the dilemma of what benefit or damage will a course of
action yield. What alternative will lead to the best overall consequences. For example, in
Starbuck’s ethical situation, they did not worry about the outcome of any course of action they
chose to take. They knew that justice was the correct approach in solving their ethical dilemma.
The rights approach is regarding what moral rights do the parties involved have and
which decision will embody those rights. An example would be employing low-wage workers to
10:23:13 GMT -05:00
Capella University
Parameters of Ethical Decision Making
Ethical decisions in today’s corporations can be problematic and often makes the news,
whether it be for the betterment or for the detriment of mankind. We see it on social media, in
newspapers and even in our own communities. It is difficult to have a day go by without being
exposed to an ethical decision. What is an ethical dilemma? An ethical dilemma (ethical
paradox or moral dilemma) is a problem in the decision-making process between two possible
options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective (NA, 2019).
, Ethical dilemmas are complicated and cannot be easily solved. There are consequences
involved if the right approach is not used. For example, if an employee uses another employee’s
idea and later it was found out that this was untrue, that employee may lose his/her job because
of that unethical decision. The employee did not weigh the pros and cons of their action
completely and the result could be disastrous.
The five following approaches are a way to help businesses and persons tackle tough
ethical decisions. They are popularly used amongst corporations and individuals alike.
Utilitarian
Rights
Justice
Common Good
Virtue
The utilitarian approach tackles the dilemma of what benefit or damage will a course of
action yield. What alternative will lead to the best overall consequences. For example, in
Starbuck’s ethical situation, they did not worry about the outcome of any course of action they
chose to take. They knew that justice was the correct approach in solving their ethical dilemma.
The rights approach is regarding what moral rights do the parties involved have and
which decision will embody those rights. An example would be employing low-wage workers to
10:23:13 GMT -05:00
