Ethical Issue/Problem In one Sentence

Ethics Worksheet for Case Studies
(Based on worksheet by Thomas H. Bivins, University of Oregon.)
1. What is the ethical issue/problem, in one sentence?
2. What facts have the most bearing on the ethical decision you must render in this case?
Note: facts do not include ethical judgments at this point.
3. Are there any other external or internal factors to be considered? (Economic, political,
religious etc.)
4. Who are the claimants (people making the claim) and in what way are you obligated to
each of them? (List all affected by your decision.) all the stakeholders
5. Which options could cause harm to any claimant?
6. Are there any rules, principles or codes (legal, professional, organizational, or other) that
automatically invalidate any of your options?
7. What principle(s) of the Code of Ethics does it relate and how/why?
8. Which ethical theories support or reject which options? Explain.
• Utilitarianism or others
9. Determine a course of action based on your analysis.
10. Defend your decision in writing?

Title: Ethics Worksheet for Case Studies

Introduction

Ethical decision-making is an essential aspect of both personal and professional life. It involves evaluating situations, identifying ethical issues, and determining the most morally sound course of action. To assist in this process, an ethics worksheet, developed by Thomas H. Bivins at the University of Oregon, provides a structured framework for analyzing ethical dilemmas. This essay will explore the application of this worksheet to a hypothetical case study, demonstrating its utility in guiding ethical decision-making.

1. Ethical Issue/Problem In one sentence, the ethical issue/problem at hand is whether to disclose a potentially harmful product defect to consumers, knowing that such disclosure could negatively impact the company’s profits and reputation.
2. Relevant Facts To make an informed ethical decision, it is crucial to identify the pertinent facts without making any ethical judgments. In this case, the following facts are most relevant:

• A product defect has been discovered that may pose a safety risk to consumers.
• Disclosing the defect could lead to a significant financial loss for the company.
• Failure to disclose the defect may result in harm to consumers.
• The company has a legal obligation to ensure product safety but has not yet issued a recall or warning.

3. External/Internal Factors Besides the primary facts, it is essential to consider external or internal factors that may influence the decision. These factors can include economic, political, religious, or cultural elements that might impact the situation. In this case, factors to consider include:

• Economic consequences for the company.
• Legal and regulatory obligations.
• Ethical principles related to consumer safety.

4. Claimants and Obligations Identifying the stakeholders, or claimants, is essential to understanding who may be affected by the decision and how they are owed obligations. In this scenario, the claimants are:

• Consumers: Owed a duty of safety and information transparency.
• Company shareholders and employees: Expect financial stability and job security.
• Regulatory authorities: Expect compliance with safety regulations.

5. Potential Harm Analyzing potential harm is crucial to making an ethical decision. Each option should be assessed for potential harm to the claimants. In this case, potential harm could include:

• Harm to consumers if the defect is not disclosed.
• Financial harm to the company if the defect is disclosed.

6. Rules, Principles, or Codes It is essential to determine if any existing rules, principles, or codes automatically invalidate any of the available options. In this case, ethical principles related to consumer safety and legal obligations would likely invalidate any option that involves concealing the defect.
7. Code of Ethics Principles Identifying the principles of a Code of Ethics that relate to the case helps clarify the ethical framework. In this scenario, principles related to transparency, honesty, and safety would be relevant.
8. Ethical Theories Evaluate which ethical theories support or reject the available options. For instance, utilitarianism may support disclosure to prevent harm to consumers, while a purely profit-driven approach may reject it in favor of protecting the company’s financial interests.
9. Course of Action Based on the analysis, a course of action should be determined. In this case, the most ethical course of action would likely involve disclosing the product defect to consumers promptly, prioritizing their safety over short-term financial gain.
10. Defending the Decision The decision to disclose the product defect is defensible on several grounds. First, it upholds ethical principles related to transparency and consumer safety, aligning with the company’s moral responsibilities. Second, it demonstrates a commitment to legal obligations and regulatory compliance. Third, in the long run, maintaining consumer trust and safety is likely to be more beneficial for the company’s reputation and profitability than attempting to conceal the issue.

Conclusion

The Ethics Worksheet for Case Studies, as developed by Thomas H. Bivins, is a valuable tool for guiding ethical decision-making. By systematically analyzing the ethical issue, considering relevant facts and factors, identifying claimants and potential harm, and evaluating ethical principles and theories, individuals and organizations can arrive at well-reasoned and defensible ethical decisions that prioritize ethical integrity and responsibility. In the hypothetical case study discussed here, applying this worksheet led to the ethical choice of disclosing a product defect to consumers to uphold moral and legal obligations and prioritize their safety.