Making a Good Decision
Before we list the solutions we've heard and some process recommendations,
we'd like to suggest a set of questions the CAC and JPA could ask themselves
as they go about making a thoughtful decision. We refer you to An
Approach to Ethical Decision-Making and Thinking
Ethically, Appendices 3 and 4. These questions are well-grounded
in ethical theories.
Specifically, for each proposed solution, we would suggest you ask:
- Will it lead to the best overall consequences short-term and long
term? Does this alternative produce the greatest good for the greatest
number, and the least harm?
- Does it protect the moral rights of people who will be affected? Does
it safeguard their privacy? Free consent? Freedom of conscience? Freedom
to choose?
- Will it help us be consistent in the way we treat people? Does it
distribute benefits and burdens reasonably equally among the members
of a group unless there's some moral reason to treat some members differently?
"Need" would be one such reason.
- Does it allow us to accommodate everyone's interests in a reasonable
manner? We are not always able to satisfy all interests, but does this
help us pay attention to all the interests in some way? In other words,
does it advance the common good?
- Finally, does this solution help those making the decision to be people
of integrity, compassion, responsibility, etc.?
Back to the Table of Contents or voice
your opinion.
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