The Impact of Ethics on Decision Making

The Impact of Ethics on Decision Making

Ferrel and Gardiner (1991) say there are two criteria to ethical choices on top of being legal. The first being; “One does not infringe on the basic inalienable human rights – such as life, freedom of speech and privacy, due process – recognized by our society (ethical formalism).” Basically stating the respect of others should be considered in all decisions. The second states each person should strive towards an increase in self-esteem and mental health. Maintaining self-respect should be thought of in the decision making process.

We all face decisions in every day life, some appear obvious and easy while others do not. People are always struggling with their ethics during the decision making process. There are those who do not how to decided which is ethical or not. I found an “Ethics Quick Test” from the Online Ethics for Engineering and Science page (2002), which provides seven things, to check in order to examine the ethical implications toward a person decisions:

1) Is the action legal?

2) Does it comply with your understanding of our values?

3) If you do it, will you feel bad?

4) How will it look in the newspaper?

5) If you know it is wrong, do not do it.

6) If you are not sure, ask.

7) Keep asking until you get an answer.

Even though this information pertains to a specific topic it can also be used in everyday life. Everyone should be able to look at a c...