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065ThreeStepEthicsModelbyBlanchardandPeale.docx
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The Case of Janet K and Epilepsy
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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//ABISOURCE//DTD XHTML plus AWML 2.2//EN" "http://www.abisource.com/2004/xhtml-awml/xhtml-awml.mod"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:awml="http://www.abisource.com/2004/xhtml-awml/"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="application/xhtml+xml; charset=UTF-8" /> <title> Abiword HTML Document </title> </head> <body> <div> <p> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline">Models for Examining Ethical Dilemmas</span> </p> <p> The decision-maker must always be objective when making ethical decisions. It is critical to examine all the facts of a given situation by gathering as much information or data as possible. Alternative solutions to the problem must be assessed if they are available. All sides of every issue should be studied before ethical decisions are made. The following are three decision-making models that can be helpful when resolving ethical issues: the three-step (Blanchard-Peale) ethics model, the seven-step decision model, and Dr. Bernard Lo’s clinical model. </p> <p> </p> <p> Three-Step Ethics Model </p> <p> Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale advise the use of a three-step model when evaluating an ethical dilemma. The three steps are to ask yourself each of the following questions: </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'MS Gothic'">◗</span> Is it legal? </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'MS Gothic'">◗</span> Is it balanced? </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'MS Gothic'">◗</span> How does it make me feel? </p> <p> 1. Is it legal? When applying the three-step model, if the situation is clearly illegal, </p> <p> such as inflicting bodily harm on another, then the matter is also clearly unethical, </p> <p> and you do not even have to progress to the second question. However, if the action </p> <p> is not against the law, then you should ask yourself the second question. </p> <p> </p> <p> 2. Is it balanced? This question helps to determine if another person or group </p> <p> of people is negatively affected by the action. In other words, is there now an </p> <p> imbalance so that one person or group suffers or benefits more than another as </p> <p> a result of your action? For example, in the case of a scarce resource such as donor </p> <p> organs, does one group of people have greater access? </p> <p> </p> <p> 3. How does it make me feel? This final question refers to how the action will affect </p> <p> you emotionally. Would you be hesitant to explain your actions to a loved one? </p> <p> How would you feel if you saw your name in the paper associated with the action? </p> <p> Can you face yourself in the mirror? </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> If you can answer the first two questions with a strong “Yes” and the final question with </p> <p> a strong “Good,” then the action is likely to be ethical. For example, student cheating is clearly unethical. By using the three-step ethics model, we have an even clearer idea of why it is unethical to look at even one answer on another student’s test. We ask the three questions: </p> <p> </p> <p> 1. Is it legal? Yes, as far as we know there is no law against cheating. </p> <p> </p> <p> 2. Is it balanced? No, it is not. This question is where the model really helps us. </p> <p> One group or person (in this case the cheater) does have an advantage over </p> <p> another group or person. In addition, the grades will be skewed for the entire </p> <p> class, because the person who cheated will receive a higher grade than what he </p> <p> or she earned. </p> <p> </p> <p> 3. How does it make me feel? Remember that we have to live with ourselves. The </p> <p> philosopher Thomas Aquinas said, “We become what we do,” meaning that if we </p> <p> lie, we become a liar. Or in this case, if we cheat, we become a cheater. </p> <p> </p> <p> The three-step ethics model is a quick way to check yourself when you are uncomfortable <a name="_GoBack"> </a> about an ethical decision. Use it often! </p> </div> </body> </html> ">
