Taylor, "Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Making an Ethical Decision"
Notable because it attempts to reduce the decision-making problem to a checklist
SOURCE FOR THE PROCEDURE
Hopper, Carolyn. "Top Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Making an Ethical Decision." 1999. http://www.mtsu.edu/~u101irm/ethicques.html (10 Jun. 1999).
This is not the original source.
THE PROCEDURE ITSELF
- Could the decision become habit forming?
- Is it legal?
- Is it safe?
- Is it the right thing to do?
- Will this stand the test of public scrutiny?
- If something terrible were to happen, could I defend my actions?
- Is it just, balanced, and fair?
- How will it make me feel about myself?
- Does this choice lead to the greatest good for the greatest number?
- Would I do this in front of my mother?
WALT'S CHECKLIST
The same checklist was applied to all procedures.
- This method is most useful when the DECISION-MAKER ...
- cultivates personal virtues [step 8]
- has easy access to stakeholders
- has high initial sensitivity to relevant ethical "features"
- is poised to act and merely wants to confirm the moral validity of the action
- This method is most useful in a SITUATION ...
- that is relatively simple
- where an immediate decision is required
- This method is most useful when STAKEHOLDERS ...
- share ethical principles [steps 7 and 9]
- share laws and legal precedents [step 2]
- share values [steps 3 and 7]
