1. ETHICAL DECISION MAKING: HOW GOOD PEOPLE MAKE TOUGH CHOICES
Presented By:
Phadra L. Williams Tuitt
Organizational Specialist
National Education Association
NEA Student Program Leadership Conference
Orlando, Florida
November 6, 2010

2. CORE ETHICAL VALUES
Personal obedience to the unenforceable (Kidder, 2005)
Principles that are worthy of esteem for its own sake, with intrinsic worth (Kidder, 2005)

3. ICEBREAKER
Determine what you consider your five (5) core ethical values. Rank them from least willing to compromise to most willing to compromise.

4. WHAT IS AN ETHICAL DILEMMA?
The clashing of core values that makes it hard for people to make tough choices. (Kidder, p. 113)

5. What is the ethical dilemma?
SHOULD WE BE WILLING TO OBLIGE A PATIENT, RELATIVE, OR FRIEND WHO IS REQUESTING DEATH DUE TO UNBEARABLE PAIN AND SUFFERING?

6. Euthanasia/Mercy Killing
Euthanasia -The intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.
Mercy killing –the intentional ending of the life of a person suffering from an incurable or painful disease by his/her request

7. Ethical Dilemma vs. Moral Temptation
Dilemma paradigms help us classify our dilemmas into four sets.
If none of the paradigms fits, it may be an example of moral temptation. (Kidder, 1995 p. 118)
As you begin to look at them, the paradigms do not necessary fit in stand alone boxes. They allow you to look deeper into the dilemmas.

8. Ethical Dilemma Litmus Test
“It is not about the descriptive elements of the experience, but rather the core values that drive the decision-making”. (Kidder, 1995 p. 114)

9. Paradigm #1 Justice vs. Mercy
“Conflict between fairness, equity and even-handed application of the law vs. compassion, empathy and love”. (Kidder, 1995 p. 113)

10. Right vs. Right issues Justice
Violates doctors’ hippocratic oath
Killing is against the law
US Court of Appeals ruled it unconstitutional (Washington State)
American Medical Association position statement that advocates preserving human life at all costs

11. Mercy Inhumane to allow someone to die a slow and ugly death
Patient should be able to escape misery and maintain dignity
Value of liberty-individuals can do as they want
Need to give loved ones, patients what they want
Compassion- suffering means more than pain. There may be physical and psychological burdens.

12. Paradigm #2 Short term vs. Long Term
The act of ending the pain is a short term fix
Gives the patient what he or she wants based on the current circumstances
Health care costs alleviated
Allows families to say final goodbyes and ends anguish.
(Kidder, 1995)

13. LONG-TERM Dismisses the opportunity of complete recovery
Gives healthcare providers time to work on patients that are savable
Vital organs saved may allow others to be saved

14. Paradigm #3 Individual vs. Community
The right of a patient to choose to die
vs.
Possibility of potential abuse of power
Demeaning the value of human life

15. Paradigm #4 Truth vs. Loyalty
Not killing as an integrity principle
Vs.
Loyalty and commitment to the needs of a patient or a loved one

16. USE KIDDER’S SEVEN CHECKPOINTS
Assess the situation
Scan for values
Stand for conscience
Contemplate the dangers
Endure the hardship
Avoid the pitfalls
Develop moral courage
(Kidder, 2005 p.17)

17. Resolving the dilemma
“Not every ethical dilemma has a right solution. Reasonable people often disagree: otherwise there would be no dilemma.” (McCoy, p. 66)
Although I can apply the resolution principles, I can also argue that there may be no right solution in this case.

18. Resolving the dilemma End-based thinking Care-based thinking
Rules-based thinking
(Kidder, 1995)

19. Care-based Thinking
I would argue that the loved one or patient’s request would give you the justification to apply this principle
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Put yourself in my shoes and give me what I want

20. Rule-based Thinking
Looking at this from the perspective of the highest rule, the argument can be made that killing under any circumstances is not the right thing to do.
What rule do we want universally invoked

21. Moral Courage
Making either of the decisions requires you to exercise the courage to be moral.
Facing the mental challenges (Kidder) that could wreck your reputation, and emotional wellbeing, adherence to conscious, self esteem.

22. Resolving the dilemma
“People who are in touch with their own core beliefs and the beliefs of others can be more comfortable living on the cutting edge. At times, taking a tough line or a decisive stand in the middle of ambiguity is the only ethical thing to do.” (McCoy, p. 67)
Although there may not be a right solution, there is an obligation to take a stand.
McCoy argues that it is the only ethical thing to do

23. Bending the rules
Look for ways to bend the rules without breaking them (Badarraco, 2002 p. 112)
Full group activity
(Officer and man in burning car)

24. Quiet leaders resolving ethical dilemmas
Clarity, risks and consequences is essential but not enough (Badaracco, 2002 p. 91)
Remember your responsibilities (Badaracco, 2002 p. 102)
Don’t go it alone (Badaracco, 2002 p. 106)
Don’t be afraid to back off (Badaracco, 2002 p. 107)

25. Ethical Living
Being ethical in everyday life will help you make the right decision
When there are two right decisions, use the paradigms to classify the problem in front of you.
Practicing ethical living on a daily basis will improve your mental fitness and decision-making skills.

26. Conclusion
“Ethical fitness will help you be a better leader when tough choices need to be made”