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1
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Set out the facts in a fair
and balanced way
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Provide a short summary of
the ethical scenario.
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2
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List the main stakeholders
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Who is the instigator of
the problem? In this scenario, did someone identify there was an ethical
issue? (Not always explicit in all scenarios).
Who are the people /
stakeholders directly involved?
Who are the people /
stakeholders indirectly implicated? Who is affected by this scenario?
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3
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Record the major ideals and
the rights that you see having a role in the decision.
Select one or two
ideals/rights that you see as central to the situation.
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Has a person’s /
stakeholder’s trust been broken?
Ideals
·
Do the ideals of fairness / honesty / equality
/ duty or care have a role in the ethical decision?
Rights: Does this scenario include:
·
The right to know?
·
The right to privacy?
·
The right to property?
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4
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What obligations are there? To
whom or to what is an obligation owed, and what sort of obligation is it?
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Laws
ACS code of ethics
Obligations
·
To the
profession and industry
·
To avoid
misleading people
·
To produce a
sound and safe product
·
To owners and
shareholders
·
To foster
professionalism
What type of ethical
infringement has occurred for each person / stakeholder?
Are there any laws that
have been broken?
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5
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What are the likely
consequences for each stakeholder (major, short term, long term)?
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Who benefits from the
action?
Who is harmed by the
action?
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6
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Ethical theories
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Act Utilitarianism
·
Does this act
increase (or decrease) the total happiness of the affected parties?
Kantianism
·
Categorical
imperative 1: What would happen if this decision is made universal?
·
Categorical
imperative 2: Does this decision ‘use’ anyone?
Rule Utilitarianism
·
Does this
action lead to the greatest increase (or decrease) in total happiness?
Social Contract Theory
·
Would other
people in the community / country agree with this decision?
(Also refer to Figure 1).
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7
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Summary
What is the best action? What
should be done?
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Highlight the fact that
there is often no definite right or wrong.
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