2.4: The Ethical Decision-Making Process Flashcards
What triggers the Ethical Decision-Making (EDM) process?
The EDM process begins when an ethical issue becomes evident to a person and has enough moral intensity to initiate issue recognition, moral judgment, and moral intent, resulting in moral or immoral behavior.
What are the four steps of the EDM process?
Recognize a moral issue.
Make moral judgments.
Establish moral intent.
Engage in moral behavior.
What is “moral intensity,” and how does it affect the EDM process?
Moral intensity refers to the gravity of an ethical dilemma, which varies based on factors like the magnitude of consequences, social consensus, proximity, and probability of the effect.
High moral intensity makes an issue more likely to be addressed.
What factors influence moral intensity in issue recognition?
Magnitude of consequence.
Social consensus.
Probability of effect.
Temporal immediacy.
Proximity.
Concentration of effect.
Give an example of issue recognition involving high moral intensity.
Knowing a high-value theft will occur (magnitude of consequence), with close proximity to the victim, high probability, and immediate timing, creates high moral intensity requiring action.
What is moral judgment?
Moral judgment involves deciding the correct course of action, influenced by an individual’s level of moral development and ability to assess ethical dilemmas.
What are Kohlberg’s three levels of moral development?
Pre-conventional Level: Focused on self-interest (punishment/reward).
Conventional Level: Focused on social expectations and rules.
Post-conventional Level: Based on universal principles and individual conscience.
Describe one stage from each of Kohlberg’s levels of moral development.
Stage 1 (Pre-conventional): Obedience to avoid punishment.
Stage 4 (Conventional): Duty to uphold laws and societal welfare.
Stage 6 (Post-conventional): Universal ethical principles guide actions.
What is moral intent in the EDM process?
Moral intent is deciding what you want to do based on personal values, moral standards, and ethical principles.
How do value judgments, moral standards, and ethical principles differ?
Value Judgments: Person-dependent and subjective.
Moral Standards: Reflect societal norms and vary across groups.
Ethical Principles: Philosophy-based, consistent, and systematic.
What is the main influencer in the moral behavior step?
Moral character determines whether a person carries out their moral intent, requiring strength of character, courage, and persistence.
What happens if moral intent is not supported by strong moral character?
Without strong character, courage, and persistence, moral intent may not translate into action.
