How do you make an ethical

decision?

How do you make an ethical

decision?

My approach to ethical dilemmas:

Weigh up the benefits and costs and choose the

option that makes most people happy.

This is the ‘utilitarian approach’

My approach to ethical decisions: Before I do anything, I make sure it does

not violate other people’s rights.

This is rights-based thinking

My approach to ethical decisions:

Be caring and compassionate about people and

relationships.

This is care-based thinking

Decision 2

Air travel contributes to climate change. The government urges families to stop taking

any unnecessary foreign trips.

Imagine you are one of the Simpletons. You have been asked to holiday in the UK, and forget about

foreign beaches. How will you respond?

My approach to ethical decisions:

I simply choose the option that turns out best

for me.

This is self-centred thinking

What are the

problems (cons) of

doing this?

What are the benefits

(pros) of doing this?

Who is affected?

Utilitarian

What must I decide about?

Conclusion

My approach to ethical decisions: Weigh up the benefits and costs and choose the

option that makes most people happy.

Will the decision violate

(go against) any rights?

How?

What rights do we want to protect? (e.g.

choice, freedom, life)

Who is affected?

Rights-based

Conclusion

What must I decide about?

My approach to ethical decisions: Before I do anything, I make sure it does not

violate other people’s rights.

How will doing this make their life worse?

How will doing this make their life better?

Who is affected?

Care-based

Conclusion

What must I decide about?

My approach to ethical decisions: Be caring and compassionate about

people and relationships.

How important is this to me?

Is this a good thing for me

or a bad thing

for me?

Who is affected?

Self-centred

Conclusion

What must I decide about?

My approach to ethical decisions: Simply choose the option that turns

out best for me.

Decision 3

Come and shop in our new store.

Imagine you are one of the Simpletons. You have been invited to shop at the new Fair Trade store. How will you respond?

My approach to ethical

decisions: I simply choose the option that turns out best

for me.

Simpletons role cards

My approach to ethical

decisions: Before I do anything, I make sure it does

not violate other people’s rights.

My approach to ethical

decisions: Be caring and

compassionate about people and

relationships.

My approach to ethical decisions: Weigh up the benefits and costs and choose the option that makes

most people happy.