STAGE 1: IDENTIFY THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES
The first phase of the ethical decision-making process focuses on clearly defining the decision that needs to be made and understanding why it may involve ethical considerations. This step sets the tone for the entire process; if the challenge is misunderstood or poorly framed, the solutions that follow may miss the real issue.
By answering the two guiding questions below, you can clarify the scope of the challenge and ensure that you are addressing it from an ethical perspective.
What is the decision to be made?
Every ethical analysis starts with a clear understanding of the specific decision at hand. This means going beyond vague descriptions to state exactly what choice must be made. It might be a single yes-or-no decision, a choice between several options, or a determination about how to respond to a new situation. Being precise at this stage helps focus your analysis in later phases.
Why is it potentially an ethical issue?
Not all difficult decisions are ethical ones. To determine whether a situation involves ethics, consider whether it:
- Affects the rights, dignity, or well-being of people or communities
- Involves a conflict between competing values or responsibilities
- Has potential consequences that go beyond legal or financial concerns
- Raises questions about fairness, honesty, or integrity
Recognizing the ethical dimension early on helps ensure it is not overlooked when pressure mounts to make a quick decision.
Identifying the ethical challenge at the start ensures that your decision-making process is rooted in the right questions. It prepares you to explore the context, stakeholders, and consequences in the next phases, building a strong foundation for an ethical and well-reasoned choice.
Next Step
Once you have defined the decision and considered why it may raise ethical concerns, the next step is to clearly identify the specific decision that must be made.
Proceed: Organizational Decision to be Made →
