Moral Problems

CHAPTER 6: MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS
MORAL PROBLEMS
What must a moral individual do when she is confronted with a moral
problem? To answer this question first we must understand that there are different
types of moral problems. We may attempt to construct an outline of what we ought
to do when confronted with the potential ethical issue.
The first step that we ought to take if there is a potential ethical issue is to
determine our level of involvement in the case at hand. We may be making a moral
judgment on a particular case, but one that does not necessarily involve ourselves,
we may just be reading about a case that involves other people but we are not part
of the case.
After ascertaining our involvement in the potential moral situation, we then
need to make sure of the facts. The first fact to establish is whether we are faced
with a moral situation or not. But if the situation we are involved in truly has moral
weight, if it strike one to the core because it involves what it truly mean to be
human ,then we must now establish all the facts that might have a bearing on our
decisions.
The third step is to identity all the people who may potentially be affected by
the implications of a moral situation, or by our concrete choice of action. These
people are called the stakeholders. Stakeholders forces us to give consideration to
people aside from ourselves.
Types of ethical problems or issue
1. The first one is a situation in which we need to clarify whether a certain

action is morally right or morally wrong. This is were the different ethical
theories or framework can serve.
2. The second types involves determining whether a particular action in
question can be identified with a generally accepted ethical or unethical
action.
3. The third type points to the presence of an ethical dilemma. Dilemmas are
ethical situations in which there are completing values, that seems to have
equal worth. The problem can be concerned either with a choice between
two competing moral goods or between two evils.
4. The final step is for the individual to make our ethical conclusion or
decision. Whether in judging what ought to be done in a given case or in
coming up with a concrete actions we must actually perform. Real ethical
decisions are often very difficult enough to make and for so many different
reasons. The moral agent must be able to learn how to avoid the seduction of
surrendering to blind simplification.
Ethical theories are important to study in order to establish a strong

foundation for challenging situations or guide decisions — how do we know
whether something is right or wrong? How can we use ethical theories and
frameworks to help us determine appropriate legislation or whether or not a
particular technology is designed to be ethical? The good news is that for many
centuries, philosophers have discussed theoretical ways of understanding morality
and ethics and have theorized various ways to guide moral living.
The following is a brief summary of the most common categories of ethical

theories and frameworks. Click on any of the following for further details.
 Consequence Based (Utilitarian) – this perspective, founded by Jeremy

Bentham, focuses on consequences and results and the pursuit of common
good — a central goal is to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for
the most people.
 Duty Based (Deontology) – this perspective, founded by Immanuel Kant, is
focused on binding rules and one’s obligation and duty to family, country,
church, or other etc. One’s motive is important; results or consequences of
one’s actions are not the focus.
 Contract Based (Rights) – this perspective is about rights and agreements
between people; not necessarily about character, consequences, or
principles.
 Character Based (Virtue) – founded by Aristotle, this perspective is focused
on virtue and practicing good.
Why is it important?
The Ethical Framework matters to anyone who works in or with the
counseling professions: it reassures clients that their practitioner will provide a
good, ethical service - and they can hold them to account if they do not. A
commitment to clients is at the very heart of the Ethical Framework.
The principle of beneficence guides the decision maker to do what is right

and good. This priority to “do good” makes an ethical perspective and possible
solution to an ethical dilemma acceptable. This principle is also related to the
principle of utility, which states that we should attempt to generate the largest ratio
of good over evil possible in the world.
This principle stipulates that ethical theories should strive to achieve the
greatest amount of good because people benefit from the most good. This principle
is mainly associated with the utilitarian ethical theory discussed later in this set of
notes.
This principle stipulates that ethical theories should strive to achieve the
greatest amount of good because people benefit from the most good. This principle
is mainly associated with the utilitarian ethical theory discussed later in this set of
notes.
Environmental ethics builds on scientific understanding by bringing human
values, moral principles, and improved decision making into conversation with
science. ... This is important because the ethics of the environment are of major
concern these days.
Aquinas ethical theory states that for an action to be moral, the kind it
belongs to must not be bad, the circumstances must be appropriate, and the
intention must be virtuous. Aquinas agrees with Aristotle that the particulars of the
situation have to be considered in determining what course of action should be
done.
Applying his scientific method of observation and analysis of evidence,

Aristotle studied the governments of 158 city-states in the Greek world. He
classified rule by a king (monarchy) and the superior few (aristocracy) as "good"
governments. He judged rule by the few rich (oligarchy) and the many poor
(democracy) as "bad" governments.
Aristotle concluded that the best government was one that "mixed" the
features of oligarchy and democracy. For example, all the citizens would choose
some government officials by lottery. But only some citizens with a certain amount
of property or wealth could qualify for other offices. Aristotle thought this form of
government provided the best chance for political stability.
Kant’s deontology celebrates the rational faculty of the moral agent, which
sets it above merely sentient beings. Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules
to distinguish right from wrong. Deontology is often associated with philosopher
Immanuel Kant. Kant believed that ethical actions follow universal moral laws,
such as “Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Don’t cheat.”
Deontology is simple to apply. It just requires that people follow the rules
and do their duty. This approach tends to fit well with our natural intuition about
what is or isn’t ethical.

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CHAPTER 6: MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS

Types of ethical problems or issue

1. The first one is a situation in which we need to clarify whether a certain

Ethical theories are important to study in order to establish a strong

The following is a brief summary of the most common categories of ethical

 Consequence Based (Utilitarian) – this perspective, founded by Jeremy

The principle of beneficence guides the decision maker to do what is right

Applying his scientific method of observation and analysis of evidence,

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