Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Group 2
Group 2
Group 2
AN OVERVIEW OF ETHICS
• INCLUDING ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN DECISION MAKING
PROBLEM
The definition of virtue cannot be worked out objectively; it depends on the
circumstances—you work it out as you go.
The utilitarian approach to ethical decision making states that you should choose the
action or policy that has the best overall consequences for all people who are
directly or indirectly affected.
PROBLEM
Measuring and comparing values is often difficult
The fairness approach focuses on how fairly actions and policies distribute benefits
and burdens among people affected by the decision.
The guiding principle of this approach is to treat all people the same.
PROBLEM
Decisions can be influenced by personal bias, without the decision makers
even being aware of their bias.
PROBLEM
Consensus is difficult