1. What is an ethical decision?

Ethical decision making is the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a
manner consistent with ethical principles. This process requires individuals to recognize and
eliminate options that are unethical and to select the best ethical alternative. Ethical
decision making involves careful consideration of the potential impact of each alternative
on others and the community. It requires an understanding of relevant moral principles and
the ability to apply these principles to specific situations in order to act responsibly and
soundly.

2. How Can We Make Ethical Decisions and Actions?

2.1 Pointing out the problem
First we will summon as much information as we can that will illuminate the situation in
doing so. It is important to be specific and objective as possible, writing idea on a paper
often provides clarity outline the facts, separating out assumption hypotheses or suspicions.
There are several questions someone should ask themselves
 Is it a combination of more than one of these?
 Is it an ethical, professional, legal, or clinical problem?
 Is it related to the institution or agency and their policies and procedures?

2.2 Apply the ACA code of Ethics

After clarifying the problem refer to the ACA code of ethics (ACA,2014) to see if the issue is
addressed. Also considering any other state or professional codes that mat apply to you (Bradly and
Hendricks 2008, Boennan, 2013). To be able to apply the ethical standards it is essential that someone
have read them carefully and that they understand their implication . if the problem is not resolved by
reviewing the ACA code of Ethics, then that means the person have e complex ethical dilemma and need
to procced with further steps un the ethical decision making process.(Bradly and Hendricks, 2008,
forester-miller & Davis 1996).

2.3 Determine the nature and dimension of the dilemma

 There are some steps to follow to ensure that someone have examined the problem in all of its
various dimensions.
 Examine the dilemma’s implications for each of the foundational principles, autonomy, justices,
beneficence and non-maleficence, and decide which of the principles apply to the specific
situation and determine which principle takes priority for themselves in this case
 Review the relevant professional literature to ensure that someone is using the most current
professional thinking and is aware of the diversity issues involved in the particular situation.

2.4 Generate potential course of action

 Be creative and list all of the options you can think of.
 Do not worry about including and eliminating soluitons.
 Whenever possible consult with at least once colleague who subscribed to the ACA code of
ethics.
2.5 consider the potential consequences of all options and determine
a course of action
 Consider the informtions you have gathered and the prioirties you have set, evaluate rach
option, being sure to assess the potential consequence for each of the parties involved.
 Eliminate the opinions that clearly do not give the desired result.

2.6 Evaluate the selected course of action

 Review the selected course of action to see if it presents any new ethical consideration
 If the course of action you have selected causes any new ethical issue, then you will need to go
back to the beginning and re evaluate each step

2.7 Implement the course of action

 Strengthen your resolve to allow you to carry out your plan. Just because it is the right decision
doesn’t mean it will be easy to implement.
 After implementing your course of action it is good practice to follow upon the situation to
assess whether your actions had the anticipated effect and consequences.

3. Types of Reasoning
There are three basic types of reasoning: deductive, inductive, and abductive. Deductive reasoning is
intended to guarantee the truth of the conclusion if the premises are true. Inductive reasoning supports
the conclusion with some degree of probability. Abductive reasoning is a form of inference to the best
explanation.

1. Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning starts with general premises and draws a logically certain conclusion. If the
premises are true and the reasoning is valid, the conclusion must also be true. This type of reasoning is
used in mathematics and formal logic to ensure absolute certainty in conclusions.

2. Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations or examples to broader generalizations or

theories. It does not guarantee the truth of the conclusion but makes it likely or probable. This type is
commonly used in scientific inquiry and everyday decision-making.

3. Abductive Reasoning

Abductive reasoning involves choosing the best possible explanation for a set of observations or facts. It
is used when we make educated guesses or infer causes from effects. Though not certain, it provides a
starting point for further investigation..
4. To Whom or What Does Morality Apply?
Morality applies primarily to human beings who have the capacity for rational thought, moral judgment,
and free will. Moral standards govern how individuals ought to behave toward others and themselves,
especially in situations involving right and wrong, harm and benefit, fairness, and responsibility.

“Morality applies to persons in that they are moral agents, capable of making moral judgments and
being held accountable for their actions.” Pojman (2002).

There are four aspects or dimensions of morality, typically discussed as:

1. Religious Morality
2. Morality and Nature
3. Individual Morality
4. Social Morality

1. Religious Morality

Religious morality is based on teachings and doctrines of religion. It defines right and wrong according to
divine commands or sacred texts. In many societies, religion plays a major role in shaping people’s moral
values, such as honesty, compassion, forgiveness, and justice.

2. Morality and Nature

This aspect refers to moral values derived from nature or natural law — the idea that moral principles
are inherent in the natural world or human nature. Philosophers like Aristotle and Aquinas believed that
by understanding nature (especially human nature), we can understand what is morally good.

3. Individual Morality

Individual morality refers to a person’s personal sense of right and wrong, guided by conscience, values,
and principles. It shapes how a person behaves when no one is watching and is influenced by
upbringing, experiences, education, and sometimes religion.

4. Social Morality

Social morality deals with the moral rules and standards that govern interactions in society. It includes
justice, equality, fairness, respect, and responsibility toward others. Social morality ensures peaceful
coexistence and cooperation within a community or nation.
 5. Who is Morally/Ethically Responsible?
People may have different behavior due to the culture, religion, tradition, system or environment in
which they grow up. However people can be held morally responsible and accountable for their actions,
behavior.

Among those who may be morally or ethically responsible

1. Individuals
People may have different behaviors or ethics for various reasons and individuals may be
responsible for some of them. For example a friend, a coworker, a close person, that is someone you
spend most of your time with are or can be responsible for our action, decision, behavior etc.

2. Institutions or organizations
Another possible source of moral responsibility are organizations or institutions. Organizations have
a great moral contribution to their employees, to the community specially to the youth community. The
vision ,goals etc that organazations follow play a major role in the moral contribution of their emplyees
to the community.

3. Professionals
Among those who maybe held morally responsible in the community are professionals. Professiona
ethics may determine the behavior of professionals for example journalists, police officers, lawyers,
teachers, etc depending on their profession.

4. Governments
The other responsible party for morality is the government. The government can be responsible for the
morality of citizens or society If it sets a good example for the society. For example by enforcing the law,
serving the public interest, and upholding justice. It is possible to create a goof society. On the contrary,
If it is the opposite, then the government has a great responsibility and in terms of morality.

5. Society
Society is more responsible for the morality than anything else. Why is it that society plays a major role
in creating a moral generation tomorrow? Society must think about tomorrow and fulfill its
responsibility today by teaching, advising, etc…

Finally, morality is one of the most important things for humans, so by the government fulfilling its
responsibility and by society.

6. In moral judgment of human action, what things

should be considered?
Moral judgment refers to the process of evaluationg the rightness or wrongness of a persons conduct
action or motives based on moral principles or standards. When making moral judgments there are
some considered issues :- means,motives , consequences, and situations.
 1. Means
This issue focuses on the method or actions used to achieve a particular outcome. It involves assessing
wheter the means employed are morally acceptable or not. For example, stealing to help someone n
nned maybe see as morally wrong even if the intention is good.

2. Motives
Refers to the underlying intentions or reasons behind a person’s action. Evaluating motives involves
considering wheter the person acted out of self- interest,altruism or any other moral or immoral
motives. For instance donating mobet to charity out of genuine concern for others is generally seen as
morally praise worthy

3. Consequences
This issue involves examining the outcomes or results of a person’s actions. It considers the positive or
negative impact of the conduct on individual or society as a whole. Assessing consequences helps
determine wheter an action is morally right or wring for example lying to protect someone’s feeling may
be seen as morally hustifiable if it prevents harm

4. Situation
The situational context in which an action occurs is also a crutial in moral judgment. Different situations
may influence the moral evaluation of an action factors suchas cultural norms, personal beliefs and the
presence of extenuating circumstances can affect how an action is perceived morally. For instance
stealing food to survive in a desperate situation may be viewed differently tham stealing for personal
gain.

7. Why Should Human Beings Be Moral?