Ethical Dilemma

Apply what you’ve learned about the responsibilities of organizational leaders to any one of the end of chapter cases in Velasquez, by following the Hufsted Guide for Ethical Decision Making, as outlined below. This is an academic paper, not a journal or diary entry. It should be analytical rather than descriptive or anecdotal. A complete analysis will require 7-10 pages, not counting the cover page and bibliography. The Hufsted Model is from the Josephson Institute of Ethics. “Five Steps of Principled Reasoning.” Start by describing the ethical dilemma in 2-3 paragraphs, then follow the steps below:

1. Clarify.

a. Determine precisely what must be decided.
b. Formulate and devise the full range of alternatives.
c. Eliminate patently impractical, illegal and improper alternatives.
d. Force yourself to develop at least three ethically justifiable options.
e. Examine each option to determine which ethical principles and values are involved.
2. Evaluate.

a. If any of the options requires the sacrifice of any ethical principle, evaluate the facts and assumptions carefully.
b. Distinguish solid facts from beliefs, desires, theories, suppositions, unsupported conclusions, opinions, and rationalizations.
c. Consider the credibility of sources, especially when they are self-interested, ideological or biased.
d. With regard to each alternative, carefully consider the benefits, burdens and risks to each stakeholder.
3. Decide.

a. Make a judgment about what is not true and what consequences are most likely to occur.
b. Evaluate the viable alternatives according to personal conscience.
c. Prioritize the values so that you can choose which values to advance and which to subordinate.
d. Determine who will be helped the most and harmed the least.
e. Consider the worst-case scenario.
f. Consider whether ethically questionable conduct can be avoided by changing goals or methods, or by getting consent.
g. Choose and apply one of the ethical frameworks we have discussed in class. Justify your choice of framework.
4. Implement.

a. Develop a plan to implement the decision.
5. Monitor and modify.

a. Develop a plan to monitor the effects of decisions.
b. Be prepared and willing to revise a plan, or take a different course of action.
c. Be prepared to adjust to new information.
6. Summarize for your conclusion