Ethical Decision Making: Models, Steps and Moral Reasoning Questions

Question 1

Define ethical decision making.

Accepted Answer

Ethical decision making is the process of choosing the most responsible action by applying ethical principles and professional standards.

Question 2

What is an ethical dilemma?

Accepted Answer

An ethical dilemma is a situation where values conflict and every available option has some ethical cost.

Question 3

Who is a stakeholder?

Accepted Answer

A stakeholder is a person or group that is affected by a decision.

Question 4

What is moral reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Moral reasoning is the thinking process used to judge right and wrong and justify an ethical decision with reasons.

Question 5

State one step in ethical decision making.

Accepted Answer

One step is identifying the ethical issue clearly (any one step).

Question 6

Mention one ethical test question.

Accepted Answer

One ethical test question is: “Can I justify this decision publicly?”

Question 7

Write any three steps in ethical decision making.

Accepted Answer

Steps in ethical decision making include:

1) Identify the ethical issue and gather facts.
2) Identify stakeholders and possible options.
3) Evaluate options using law/code/values and consequences, then decide.

(Any three steps can be written.)

Question 8

Explain utilitarian approach (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian approach focuses on outcomes and overall welfare:

1) Choose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
2) Compare harms and benefits of each option for all stakeholders.
3) Prefer the option with least total harm and maximum overall benefit.

(Any three points can be written.)

Question 9

Differentiate between rights-based and fairness/justice approach (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Rights-based and fairness approaches differ as follows:

| Basis | Rights-based approach | Justice/Fairness approach |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Protects individual rights and dignity | Ensures equal and unbiased treatment |
| Key question | “Are rights violated?” | “Is it fair and consistent?” |
| Example | privacy/confidentiality | discrimination/equal opportunity |

(Any three points can be written.)

Question 10

Write any three stakeholder groups to consider in workplace ethical decisions.

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder groups include:

1) Customers/clients.
2) Employees/colleagues.
3) Organization/management (and owners).

(Any three groups like society/regulators can be written.)

Question 11

Explain any three guiding questions used to test an ethical option.

Accepted Answer

Guiding questions include:

1) Is it legal and within company policy/code of ethics?
2) Is it fair and honest to all stakeholders?
3) What are the consequences—who may be harmed or benefited?

(Any three questions can be written.)

Question 12

Explain the role of a professional code of ethics in decision making (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Role of code of ethics in decision making:

1) Provides clear standards and responsibilities (what must be done/avoided).
2) Helps resolve dilemmas consistently across employees and situations.
3) Reduces risk of misconduct by guiding reporting, confidentiality and conflicts of interest.

(Any three points can be written.)

Question 13

Explain steps in ethical decision making with a flowchart.

Accepted Answer

Ethical decision making is a structured process used to choose the most responsible option when facing dilemmas at work. A clear step-by-step approach reduces emotional bias and improves fairness, accountability and compliance.

Steps can be explained as:

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  A[Identify ethical issue] --> B[Gather facts & policies]
  B --> C[Identify stakeholders]
  C --> D[List options]
  D --> E[Evaluate options
law + code + values + consequences]
  E --> F[Decide & act]
  F --> G[Review outcome & learn]
```

First, identify what exactly is wrong and collect relevant facts, rules and company policies. Next, identify stakeholders such as customers, employees, organization and society. Then generate possible options instead of choosing immediately.

After that, evaluate each option using ethical principles (honesty, fairness, responsibility), professional code of ethics, legal requirements and consequences. Select the option that is lawful, fair, minimizes harm and can be justified openly.

Finally, implement the decision and review the outcome so that future decisions improve.

Thus, following steps makes ethical decisions more consistent, defensible and responsible in professional life.

Question 14

Explain ethical decision-making models and compare any two.

Accepted Answer

Ethical decision-making models provide different lenses to judge what is right. Common models include utilitarian (consequences), rights-based (individual rights), justice/fairness (equal treatment), duty-based (rules and duties), and virtue ethics (good character).

Comparison of two models:

| Model | Main focus | Strength | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilitarian | best overall outcome/least harm | considers impact on many stakeholders | may ignore individual rights in some cases |
| Rights-based | protects rights and dignity | safeguards privacy, consent and respect | may be hard when rights conflict |

In practice, professionals often combine models. For example, an option should not violate basic rights (rights-based) and should also reduce overall harm (utilitarian). Fairness test ensures decisions are unbiased.

Therefore, models help justify decisions logically and make them balanced, transparent and responsible.

Question 15

Explain moral reasoning and how it helps in resolving workplace dilemmas.

Accepted Answer

Moral reasoning is the thinking process used to decide what is right or wrong and to justify an ethical choice with clear reasons. In workplace dilemmas, moral reasoning helps professionals move beyond emotions, pressure or personal bias and take responsible decisions.

Moral reasoning helps in the following ways:

1) Clarifies the problem: It forces a person to identify the exact ethical issue (e.g., honesty vs loyalty, profit vs safety).
2) Identifies stakeholders: It considers who will be affected—customers, coworkers, organization and society.
3) Applies principles and standards: It connects the decision to values like honesty and fairness and to professional code/policy.
4) Evaluates consequences: It checks potential harm and benefit of each option.
5) Improves justification: It enables a professional to explain the decision clearly if questioned by seniors, auditors or public.

| Step in reasoning | Key question |
|---|---|
| Facts | What happened and what rules apply? |
| Stakeholders | Who is affected and how? |
| Principles | Is it fair, honest and responsible? |
| Consequences | What harms/benefits may occur? |
| Decision | Can I justify it publicly? |

Thus, moral reasoning makes decisions consistent and defensible, strengthens ethical culture, and reduces the risk of unethical conduct in professional life.

Ethical Decision Making: Models, Steps and Moral Reasoning

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