1. An ethical reasoning thought experiment
Molly G. Brown, CPA, CMA

2. Plan for today Introduction Importance of ethical reasoning
Read the Hurricane Sharon case
While in your group, use JMU’s ethical reasoning framework, the Eight Key Questions, to discuss the ethical considerations in deciding where to send rescue help.
Share with others your discussion and final decision

3. Importance of Ethical Reasoning
What are some major issues facing the world today?
What about the United States?
Your community?

4. The Eight Key Questions
Fairness - how can I act equitably and balance all interests?
Outcomes - what are the short-term and long-term outcomes of possible actions?
Responsibilities - what duties and obligations apply?
Character - what actions will help me become my ideal self?
Liberty - How does respect for freedom, personal autonomy, or consent apply?
Empathy - how would I respond if I cared deeply about those involved?
Authority - what do legitimate authorities (e.g., experts, law, my god[s]) expect of me?
Rights - what rights (e.g., innate, legal, social) apply?
Ask “FORCLEAR” for ethical reasoning!

5. Hurricane Sharon Read the case
The underlined content are hyperlinks. They will be active once you are in presentation mode.
A) OPTIONAL: Watch Hurricane Sharon video Once you start playing the video, please expand it to “full screen” mode and turn on the captions (even if you don’t think there’s anyone in your room that may be hearing impaired).
B) Handout Hurricane Sharon case study (may need to allow time to read if video does not work)

6. Round One
Take three minutes to individually reflect on the Eight Key Questions and how they apply to the Hurricane Sharon situation.
On your own, decide which key questions are the most relevant and why. Go beyond your gut instinct and truly give each question consideration.
In a small group of three or four, decide which key questions (at least three) most apply. Be prepared to share with the larger group.
Remember – no decisions yet!

7. The Eight Key Questions
Fairness - how can I act equitably and balance all interests?
Outcomes - what are the short-term and long-term outcomes of possible actions?
Responsibilities - what duties and obligations apply?
Character - what actions will help me become my ideal self?
Liberty - How does respect for freedom, personal autonomy, or consent apply?
Empathy - how would I respond if I cared deeply about those involved?
Authority - what do legitimate authorities (e.g., experts, law, my god[s]) expect of me?
Rights - what rights (e.g., innate, legal, social) apply?

8. Round Two Discuss the two places your group will send help.
Report to the larger group where you will send help and why you chose those specific locations. The 8KQ should help you arrive at your decision.

9. Round Three
How might you reconsider this case if some of the facts were changed? For example, if it was a men’s prison instead of a women’s prison. How did using the Eight Key Questions change your considerations about the scenario?

10. Round Four Additional questions to consider…
Why do you think that the pleas for help of the young women soccer players went unheeded?
Several authorities are mentioned in the case study. How, if at all, do authorities affect ethical decision-making?
Ethical decisions such as those required to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes frequently must be made even when information is scarce and possibly unreliable. What problems can come from uncertainty and missing information?
How does the language of the case, e.g. “grave peril,” “thousands at risk,” “desperate phone calls,” make a difference for decision-makers?
Talk about the questions not selected and ethical decisions where those questions might be most helpful.

11. Learning Ethical Reasoning Skills
Why do you think the Hurricane Sharon thought experiment was used for this activity?
Some emotional distance from the decision can facilitate the learning process.
We have the tendency to use ethical reasoning to support our pre-existing views rather than as a prompt for thoughtful reflection.
Once familiar with the process, you may be more objective when making decisions where you are personally invested.

12. Practice and develop skills
On your own and with your colleagues
How might you use the 8 Key Questions in your personal and professional life?
Remember to ask “FORCLEAR” before making a decision!

13. For more information, visit
Thank you!