The Six Pillars of Character (Source: Josephson, Making Ethical Decisions)

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Making Ethical Decisions Michael Josephson
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What is Ethics
Ethics refers to principles that define behavior
as right, good, and proper.
Such principles do not always dictate a single
moral course of action, but provide a means of
evaluating and deciding among competing interests.
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The Six Pillars of Character (Source Josephson,
Making Ethical Decisions)?
4. Fairness
1. Trustworthiness
5. Caring
2. Respect
3. Responsibility
6. Citizenship
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The Six Pillars of Character
Trustworthiness

• Honesty

• Honesty in Conduct

• Truthfulness

• Integrity

• Sincerity

• Reliability

• Candor

• Loyalty

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The Six Pillars of Character
Respect

• Civility, courtesy, and decency

• Dignity and autonomy

• Tolerance and acceptance

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The Six Pillars of Character
Responsibility

• Accountability

• Pursuit of Excellence

• Self Restraint

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The Six Pillars of Character
Fairness

• Process

• Impartiality

• Equity

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The Six Pillars of Character
Caring

• Kindness

• Benevolence

• Altruism

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The Six Pillars of Character
Citizenship

• Rights

• Responsibilities

• Authority (to govern)?

• Salvation of the community

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Making Effective Decisions
1. Recognizing important decisions
a. Could you or someone else suffer physical harm?
b. Could you or someone else suffer emotional
pain?
c. Could the decision hurt your reputation,
undermine your credibility, or damage important
relationships?
d. Could the decision impede the achievement of
any important goal?
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Effective Decisions
2. Effective decision
a. Did it accomplish what I wanted?
b. Did it effect my quality of life in a
positive way?
c. Is this the best I could have done given the
circumstances?
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Effective Decisions
3. Discernment and discipline
a. Discernment
b. Discipline
4. Stakeholders
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Seven Steps to Better Decisions
1. Stop and think
2. Clarify goals
3. Determine facts
4. Develop options
5. Consider consequences
6. Choose
7. Monitor and modify
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Obstacles to Ethical Decisions
1. If its necessary, its ethical
2. The false necessity trap
3. If its legal and permissible, its proper
4. Its just part of the job
5. Its all for a good cause
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Obstacles to Ethical Decisions
6. I was just doing it for you
7. Im just fighting fire with fire
8. It doesnt hurt anyone
9. Everyones doing it
10. Its okay if I dont gain personally
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Obstacles to Ethical Decisions
11. Ive got it coming