The diagram below provides a framework for examining ethical issues individually or as a group. Following this process will help you organize the facts and contextual paramaters of the dilemma, so that you can look at the situation objectively and choose a course of action based on logic, rather than emotions. Select each step to learn more about it.


Step 1: Identify Ethical Issues
Ethical questions often evoke emotional responses. While gut reactions such as anger and indignation provide important cues about personal values, objective observations provide a stronger foundation for logical reasoning. So, the first step in approaching any morally problematic situation is to clearly define the ethical issue or issues involved.