TEMPLATE - Analyzing An Ethical Delimma

Answer all questions in Sections I through VII. Enter your answer below the question and re-format as needed.

I. Identifying the ethical dilemma .

What is the ethical dilemma to be resolved and who is the decision-maker facing the dilemma i.e. who will need to make a decision and take some action?

State the dilemma using this form: Should (identify the decision-maker) do (Alternative A) or (Alternative B)?

II. Understanding the situation .What are the relevant facts to consider in the dilemma stated in Section I?

What kind of evidence (scientific, social, psychological, legal, religious, etc.) is each of these facts?

The information provided under this section must be from a creditable source and be graduate level research with citations.

III. Stakeholders

List the stakeholders involved in the dilemma. Briefly describe each of their interests in the outcome.

IV. Rights and Duties

In this Section, identify which stakeholders have rights that need to be considered, and which stakeholders have a duty to protect each of the rights you identify. Complete the following set of questions for EACH stakeholder you identify as having a right.

Stakeholder with a right:

1. What is the stakeholder’s right?

2. By what authority does the stakeholder have that right?

3. What other stakeholder(s) have a duty to protect the right named in (1) above?

4. What do the stakeholders named in (3) above have to do to perform and uphold their duties?

V. Analyzing Alternative A

1. Restate Alternative A:

2. Teleological Approaches (utilitarianism/consequentialism):

· If Alternative A is done, who, if anyone, will be harmed?

· If Alternative A is done, who, if anyone, will benefit?

· Do the benefits of doing Alternative A outweigh the harms of doing Alternative A, and why?

3. **Deontological Approaches (categorical imperative):**

A categorical imperative is a value that is so important that it must be upheld in action in order for that action to be ethical. In other words, behavior that violates a categorical imperative is by definition unethical. It is so important that it must be observed regardless of the consequences of doing so.

· Does Alternative A represent a categorical imperative for the decision-maker?

· What is the priority for the decision-maker that will be upheld by adopting Alternative A?

· Why is it so important?

4. Rights and Duties. Refer to your answers in Section IV above to answer these questions.

· If Alternative A is adopted, whose rights will be preserved, and whose rights will be violated?

· If Alternative A is adopted, whose duties will be maintained, and whose duties will be neglected?

VI. Analyzing Alternative B

1. Restate Alternative B:

2. Teleological Approaches (utilitarianism/consequentialism)

· If Alternative B is done, who, if anyone, will be harmed?

· If Alternative B is done, who, if anyone, will benefit?

· Do the benefits of doing Alternative B outweigh the harms of doing Alternative B, and why?

3. **Deontological Approaches (categorical imperative):**

A categorical imperative is a value that is so important that it must be upheld in action in order for that action to be ethical. In other words, behavior that violates a categorical imperative is by definition unethical. It is so important that it must be observed regardless of the consequences of doing so.

· Does Alternative B represent a categorical imperative for the decision-maker?

· What is the priority for the decision-maker that will be upheld by adopting Alternative B?

· Why is it so important?

4. Rights and Duties - Refer to your answers to Section VI above to answer these questions.

· If Alternative B is adopted, whose rights will be preserved, and whose rights will be violated?

· If Alternative B is adopted, whose duties will be maintained, and whose duties will be neglected?

VII. Making a Decision

Make a defensible ethical decision by answering the following questions:

1. Teleological Perspective (Refer to your answers to Question #2 in Sections V and VI)

Which Alternative results in less harm or the greater benefit?

Is this sufficient ground for deciding that this Alternative is the ethical course of action? Why or why not?

2. Deontological Perspective (Refer to your answers to Question #3 in Sections V and VI)

Does ethical behavior in this issue rest upon a categorical imperative?

If so, what is it?

If you have identified a categorical imperative that must be upheld in order for the decision-maker named in Section I to make an ethical decision, which course of action (Alternative A or Alternative B) best supports that categorical imperative? Why?

3. Rights and Duties (Refer to your answers to Question #4 in Sections V and VI)

Which Alternative preserves the most important rights and duties, and whose rights or duties will be sacrificed to accomplish this?

4. If the interests of certain stakeholders (see your answer to Section III) are sacrificed to the interests of other stakeholders as a result of your decision, explain why that is justified or necessary.

5. What should or should not have been done in the first place to avoid this dilemma?

6) What other longer-term changes (such as political, legal, scientific, technical, societal, or organizational changes) would help prevent such problems in the future?

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