1. An Ethical Decision-Making Framework
NAF Professional Ethics
Unit 1, Lesson 3
An Ethical Decision-Making Framework
Copyright © 2016 NAF. All rights reserved.

2. Step 1: Figure out what the problem really is
The Situation
What bothers you about this situation?
Does it only bother you, or does it bother other people as well?
Who’s Involved
Who is involved in this situation?
Who could be hurt or affected by this situation?
Laws & Rules
Are there laws or rules being broken?
If yes, what are they?
If not, what is “wrong” with the situation?

3. Performance-enhancing
Step 1 in practice
Look back at the ethical dilemma you read about earlier in this class period. What is it about this dilemma that bothers you? Write it down in your notebook.
Lie for your friend
Homeless family
stealing?
Internship program
interview
Performance-enhancing
drugs

4. Step 2: Identify key facts and opinions
Am I sure of the facts of this situation?
What information is fact and what is opinion?
Are others presenting their viewpoint as fact? What is their reason for doing that?
Are there some facts or opinions that matter more than others?

5. Step 2 note: Opinions can get in the way of ethical decisions
Is the opinion based on:
Facts?
Personal feelings about the people involved?
Past personal experience?
Personal beliefs?
Have you been in a situation where your personal opinion clouded your judgment?

6. Step 2 in practice
Make a chart in your notebook to analyze your dilemma:
Name of Dilemma
Facts of the Situation
What is fact? What is opinion?
Are others presenting their views as fact? If so, why?
Do some facts or opinions matter more than others? If so, why?

7. Step 3: Think about other possible options
What will do the most good and the least damage?
What is most respectful to the people who are closely involved?
What is the fairest thing to do (the thing that treats people equally)?
What is best for the community as a whole?

8. Step 3 in practice
Think about your ethical dilemma. Try to generate at least 3–4 possible ways to respond. You may discuss your ideas with other people who chose the same dilemma.

9. Step 4: Test your decision
Reversibility
Would I think this was a good choice if I were affected by it?
Publicity
Would I announce this choice to the world as my decision?
Harm
Does it do less harm than the alternatives?

10. Step 4 in practice
End Result?
Harm
Publicity
Reversibility
Take one of the options you thought of in Step 3 and apply the test to it.
How do you feel about that option now? Is it an ethical choice? Why or why not?

11. Step 5: Make your decision and evaluate the outcome
How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?
How did my decision turn out?
What have I learned from this situation?