Ethical Decision Making - Report Example

Ethical Framework Paper Introduction If one takes a detailed look at the human civilization, one will be able to see that there are many characteristic features that are not found anywhere beyond the boundaries of it. Indeed, it would not be a mistake to suggest that the notion of Ethics is peculiar to the mankind. Nevertheless, this is a rather difficult concept that can hardly be understood from a single perspective only. That is why it may be particularly important to engage several points of view in order to gain a correct understanding of it. This paper will provide a detailed analysis of three approaches, namely Ruggieros four steps in ethical decision making, Lonergans three operations of consciousness and six orders of consciousness which were examined by Kegan, and show how they can be combined in a unified ethical framework. Ruggieros four steps in ethical decision making The first step which was identified by this scholar in the effective decision making process is studying the details of the case. Indeed, gathering a significant amount of information may be particularly important for a person who is willing to come to a comprehensive conclusion (Bongila 109). What is more important is that this step makes sure that a person will have available all the significant facts that should be taken into account while considering the situation. In other words, every ethical framework features a close as well as objective connection to the reality since it wants to provide the person with the best solution that fits a particular situation, not the situation in general. The second step can be referred to as identification of the basic criteria. The latter reflect the cardinal virtues that “are a set of four virtues recognized in the writings of Classical Antiquity” (Ruggiero 37). The author names several of them: obligations, moral ideals and consequences. The former focuses on the relationship of the subject with other subjects. In other words, it takes into account the social aspect of an action. The middle one refers to the ethical concepts that are promoted by the society. This means that while considering this criterion, a person will think about the evaluation of one’s actions by the society. Finally, there are consequences: every action has an outcome and the latter largely defines the significance of the former. That is why it would be logical to refrain from actions that bring negative consequences and focus on those the results of which are beneficial. The next step encourages a person to come up with different courses of action. Indeed, any dilemma stands for a collision of interests of several groups; so, there are at least two courses of action for each dilemma. Moreover, a person might be willing to come up with the biggest number of options. This is particularly important as it presents the subject with many ways to address a particular problem. In the majority of the cases, people struggle with one or two options and can hardly decide. However, if this number is increased, one will be able to develop a better understanding of the situation and think in a broad perspective which is extremely beneficial while making an ethical decision. The final step puts emphasis on evaluation of each option which was identified. One of most significant aspects is to weight the positive and negative trait of every option. In order to do so, one might be willing to return to step two, taking a look at the criteria one more time. Thus, the best option is likely to have no negative impact on the obligations that the subject has with regard to other people, it is likely to comply with the conventional morality and the consequences of it will be positive or at least the positive ones will outweigh the negative ones. If there is such an option, the subjection should not hesitate and choose it. Lonergans three operations of consciousness The next approach which will be included not the structure of the ethical framework focuses on various operations that take place in the consciousness of a person. Thus, according to Lonergan, the first operation that the mind of a person performs is experiencing the reality (Dadosky 46). At this stage, the consciousness simply collects the sufficient amount of date for the further decision. There is no doubt that this operation corresponds to the first step in the process which was previously discusses. So, the core of every ethical framework is studying a situation carefully through collecting the sufficient amount of information through experiencing it. As a result, the person will enhance the connection to the reality and make sure that one has developed a correct perception of it. The next operation that has a rather confusing name is understanding (Nandram 38). Indeed, this is the stage when a person experiences the insight with regard to the information that was collected. In other words, one analyzes all the information and makes sure that every aspect is identified. The step that this process correlates with is number two. Indeed, while Ruggiero puts emphasis on three criteria that will be used, Lonergan suggests that what a person doing at this stage is understanding the large array of the information that was collected. This means that every piece of evidence it analyzed and attributed a specific significance. There is no doubt that this operation takes a considerable amount of effort from the person. Finally, the last operation is called judging. Having collected all the relevant information and understood it, the subject is likely to reflect on it. In other words, it is important to make sure that the original insight is maintained after it undergoes a careful analysis. Speaking of the correlation of this operation with the previously discussed step, one might suggest that it corresponds to the steps three and four. Indeed, while finding the possible solutions for the problem and evaluating them, the person practically reflects on different approaches to the issue, search for the best possible position. That is why these two approaches, though having a different number of elements as well as different perspective on the issue, can be effectively combines as they help a subject to deal with a dilemma and find a specific solution to it. Six orders of consciousness by Kegan Now it may be particularly advantageous to examine the approach which was developed by Robert Kegan. In spite of the fact that not all the orders of consciousness represent a fully developed person, it may be a mistake to avoid a careful examination of some of them. Therefore, one should begin with order 0 or as it is often referred to as Incorporative. This order shows that a person does not make a difference between one’s self and the objective world. Everything is one and there is no sense in trying to address the self as everything around is regarded as a part of it. It is quite understandable that this order of conscious is typical for small children rather than adults. The next one is order 1 and is titled Impulsive. According to it, the person is primarily guided by one’s impulses. In other words, the world is no longer unified: it is divided into states when one experiences a demand and wants to satisfy it. The behavior of such a person is extremely simple: one sees others as mere tools for achieving the goals and regards his or her own impulses as the primary one’s in the world. This results in the fact that such a person is not able to develop a different perspective on things. Once again this is not the approach which is compatible with the view of a fully developed person. The order 2 is referred to as Imperial one. As one can easily guess from the name, the core of this order of consciousness lies in the fact that a person deliberately uses other to satisfy one’s demands. There is a clear similarity with the previously discussed order; however, there is also a difference: an impulsive person does not use others deliberately while an imperial person designs plans who to use the resources including other people. All this results into the fact that a person who reached this order of consciousness will not care about the demands and desires of other people, but use the latter is an effective way to help oneself. This is absolutely incompatible with an ethical approach towards the world: for example, Kant in his defense of categorical imperative suggests that people must never be treated as means to achieve ends since this diminishes their significance. The next order 3 is called Interpersonal. It reflects a tremendous shift from the state of affair which was discussed previously: a person acknowledges the existence of other people and feels the necessity to align his or her desires with theirs. In other words, a subject clearly understands that the world is not focuses on demands of a particular person, but includes the demands of many people. As a result, in order to achieve what one wants, it is essential to take into consideration the other perspective. There is no doubt that this order of consciousness reflects the world view of a developed person who have a rather rational approach towards life. The order 4 is named Institutional and adds a peculiar aspect to the situation which was previously discussed. In many ways it is similar to order 3, but it allows a person to make demands of other people a higher priority that one’s won. For example, one faces to a dilemma and the solutions to it feature opposite approaches, one of which would be praised by the society. In this case, if a person deliberately chooses the option that brings the negative consequences for the subject, but the positive outcomes outweigh them, one shows one of the highest states of development of consciousness. Finally, there is one last order 5 which has the name Interindividual. The name of it reminds order 3, but it is profoundly different. On interpersonal level the subject is able to fully acknowledge the significance of the worldview of a different person and may construct a completely different understanding of the world that may be different, but compatible with one’s own view (Kraus 131). This is referred to as the highest level of development of consciousness as the subject is so self aware and is able to take a look at things from a completely different perspective, without being afraid of losing one’s focus. This is particularly important is it represents the interaction of two fully developed individuals who are not willing to uses each other, but enter a mutually beneficial relationship. A unified ethical framework If one combines the three approaches that were carefully discussed in the previous paragraphs, one will be able to see that the work together in a perfect manner. Thus, a person should strive to achieve the top order of consciousness while making a decision making process and analyzing the situations. In other words, the interindividual perspective should guide all the operations of consciousness and every step of the decisions making. For example, it is necessary to acknowledge the existence of other the position of other people while striving to satisfy one’s demands. However, it would not be bad to adapt the perspective of some lover orders as well such as the institutional one or interpersonal one. This means that while making an ethical decision, one might take into the account the values that are promoted by the society and choose options that will be more beneficial to the people instead of a single person. So, there are practically several options that an individual would have to consider while being on the third step of decision making process, according to Ruggiero. Conclusion Having examined all the points which were brought up in the paragraphs above, one is able to come with the following conclusion: in spite of the fact that Ruggieros four steps in ethical decision making, Lonergans three operations of consciousness and six orders of consciousness which were identified by Kegan focus on different perspective, they all are able to be unified in an ethical framework. Works Cited Bongila, Jean. Grounding Leadership Ethics in African Diaspora and Election Rights. Lanham, MD: Lexington, 2013. Print. Dadosky, John Daniel. The Structure of Religious Knowing Encountering the Sacred in Eliade and Lonergan. Albany, NY: State U of New York, 2004. Print. Kraus, Kurt L. Lenses: Applying Lifespan Development Theories in Counseling. Boston, MA: Lahaska, 2008. Print. Nandram, Sharda S. Spirituality and Business Exploring Possibilities for a New Management Paradigm. Berlin: Springer, 2010. Print. Read More