Ethical Framework (Term Paper Sample)

Ethical Framework
Name
Institution
Ethical Framework
Introduction
In life, it is common for people to find themselves in dilemmas, where they ultimately have to make critical decisions. During such times, people have to weigh various options before arriving at a satisfactory comprise; thus it becomes very difficult to arrive at the best decision. However, the situation may become exceedingly difficult, especially in their professions where a specified set of conduct must be adhered to. Therefore, such individuals must exercise a high degree of caution when making decisions on the best course of action. Consequently, this calls for a thorough consideration of all the possible outcomes associated with certain courses of action (Johnson, 2012). In such situations, it is important to apply an ethical decision-making framework, in order to arrive at the best decision .
An ethical decision-making framework reflects the process of arriving at an ethically sound decision . It is almost similar to a normal decision making process. However, some accepted codes of conduct corresponding to the situation at hand must be deeply considered in the ethical framework (Johnson, 2012). In a nut shell, ethical decision-making means that decisions have to be made, and the decision-makers must be ready to defend and justify their course of action. In this line, this paper explores the various ethical frameworks and how they can be applied in a complex decision making process. Afterwards, a case study demonstrating the application of the ethical decision-making framework is described in details.
Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks
1 Consequentialist Ethical Decision-Making Framework
Hitherto, several ethical decision-making frameworks have been developed to help individuals whenever they are faced with ethical dilemmas. To begin with, there is the consequentialist ethical decision-making framework. In this framework, the future effects of the possible actions that can be taken are keenly evaluated. Additionally, the people who might be possibly affected indirectly or indirectly are also considered (Palmer, 2010). In a nut shell, the process is primarily guided by the most desirable outcomes in any situation. Ultimately, the ethical conduct is considered to the possible action that will result in the best outcomes.
The consequentialist framework is associated with some advantages. First, by focusing on the final outcomes of an action, the situation can be pragmatically assessed. This may prove to be essential in situations where many people are involved. In such situations, it is not possible for every one to benefit from the course of action; some may benefit while others may stand to lose. Therefore, it allows concise striking of a balance between the two categories of people who might be potentially affected (Palmer, 2010).
Conversely, the outcomes of an action might be difficult to predict. In addition, some of the actions that might be perceived to produce good results might end up producing harmful results (Palmer, 2010). Nevertheless, it is important to note that even the most heinous courses of action end up benefiting some people. Therefore, under whatever circumstances, this framework allows the taken actions to be ethical.
2 The Rights And Duties Ethical Decision-Making Framework
The second framework is the rights and duties framework that is primarily guided by the duties and obligations of the individuals involved in the different situations at hand. Additionally, while individuals implement their respective duties that they are entrusted upon, they must consider the rights of others, especially their clients. Therefore, ethical conduct is considered to be the course of action that allows one to fulfill his/her roles in the different situations at hand, while respecting the rights of the people whom he/she is supposed to be serving (Tropp, 2012).
This framework is advantageous in the sense that it creates a system that is governed by rules that clearly defines expectations from each of the parties involved (Tropp, 2012). For instance, the clients know their rights so they have their expectations from the individuals who are supposed to be serving them. On the other hand, the decision-makers know their obligations, and they are aware that their clients have expectations on them. Therefore, the latter are always under pressure to act in line with their obligations and in accordance of what is expected of them. Secondly, by focusing on duty fulfillment regardless of the outcomes, this framework makes it easy to perceive that individuals might have acted in accordance with the outlined code of ethics (Tropp, 2012).
Conversely, this framework has some limitations in the sense that it might lead to some courses of action that might produce harm, even though obligations were being fulfilled. Secondly, the framework does not spell out what should be done in situations where two or more obligations and rights conflict (Tropp, 2012). Nevertheless, the framework remains vital in situations where the sense of duties and fulfillment of rights dictates the course of action.
3 Virtue Ethical Decision-Making Framework
The third ethical decision-making framework is the virtue framework in which people tend to identify the character traits that might compel them to take a certain course of action when cornered in certain situations. In this framework, the ethical conduct is defined to be whatever a virtuous character would resolve to, when cornered in a similar situation (Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell, 2011). Consequently, this framework is essential in situations that demand the reflection of what kind of a person that one ought to be when faced with a certain situation.
As a result, personal experiences, feelings, emotions, and thoughts play a critical role in arriving at the best virtuous character traits. Accordingly, this approach is advantageous in various ways. First, it leaves a wide room for many character traits to be considered to be ethical depending on the situation at hand (Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell, 2011). This is because there can be many good characters depending on the paths that are adapted to arrive at them. Therfore, it becomes very easy for individuals to justify their courses of action.
On the other hand, this framework is disadvantageous in the sense that it makes it exceedingly difficult to resolve disputes. This is due to the fact that disagreement concerning virtuous character traits and possible ethical actions might arise. Secondly, by virtue of the fact that the framework looks at the virtuous characters, it does not necessarily help one in resolving a dilemma, as there are no readily established rules on how to determine the best course of action (Ferrell, Fraedrich, and Ferrell, 2011).
Significance Of The Etical Frameworks
Obviously, depending on the kind of ethical decision-making framework that might be employed in resolving a certain dilemma, the results would be different; hence the course of action that will be taken will also be different. It is important to note that, the framework adopted in resolving different ethical dilemmas greatly affects the reputation of different institutions, especially in the corporate world. Similarly, it also affects the reputations of governments and their institutions. For that reason, many individuals, governments, institutions, exercise great caution when cornered in ethical dilemmas (Johnson, 2012).
Personal Ethical Framework
Based from the above proceedings, I have discovered that my ethical decision-making framework is consequentialist-cum-virtue. On one hand, when resolving personal and ethical dilemmas, especially in my navy career, I normally start by considering all the consequences associated with the possible courses of action. I thoroughly weigh all the various repercussions and how they may affect my welfare and that of others. Afterwards, I normally resolve to take an action that seems to have the best outcomes.
On the other hand, I also consider virtuous characters, especially in my business while serving customers. For instance, when cornered in a situation where I have to make a decision that would affect both the customers and business, I tend to imagine what I would feel if I were the customer. In addition, I consider personal experiences, feelings, thoughts and emotions before arriving at the final decision. In a nut shell, I tend to put myself in the shoes of the people whom would be affected by my ethical decisions. In most circumstances, I ormally refrain from taking a course of action that would harm them, even though it woluld benfit me. Eventually, I do take the course of action that seems ethical as dictated by the virtuous character traits I have considered.
A Personal Account of Involvement In An Ethical Dilemma
At one point during my high school days, I remember that my father retired from the American Air Force. As expected, life became unbearable and we had no alternative but to relocate to Omaha, Nebraska. Our relocation did serve us any good as my father would stay unemployed for over seven months. However, life had to continue, and in one way or another we had to survive. This is the point when I developed a brilliant idea of starting a tanning business in the nearest town. This was after I overheard some girls state that the only tanning business around was very far away from our area of relocation.
After a careful evaluation of the business idea, my father quickly agreed with me. We then went forward to secure a loan of $88000 from a local bank, in order to start the tanning salon. After complying with all the required regulations for tanning salons, the business was eventually setup. Within no time, the business was up and running, and as expected, we started experiencing a high customer turn up. However, like any other new business ...