Question: Ethical principles and issues In this section we show a list of ethical principles and potential issues which may be of value when analyzing a case study or real decision situation where there are ethical concerns (i.e. all decision situations!). This list brings together some of the various prescriptions given in other parts of this book. It is extensive but by no means exhaustive. It is unlikely that reference can be made to all the items below in any given context. It should be used, and added to, as a source of ideas rather than as a formal model of ethical decision-making. For simplicity the list is given as a series of questions. They are given in the order of their first occurrence in this book. The source of the principle is given so that the relevant chapter may be referred to. This should be done on the first occasion a particular question is used in order to avoid misunderstandings. Some of the questions are reasonably straightforward. Others will require some thought and practise in their usage.
The list may be used in a variety of ways. It may be used as a series of prompts when beginning the analysis of a given case study, particularly if you have difficulty in articulating ethical issues, that is you may instinctively feel that a given action presented in a case study is somehow wrong but you find it difficult to say exactly why. It may be used as a checklist to help avoiding a biased analysis. For example, a case may be presented in a way which emphasises consequences and it might therefore be useful to be reminded of rights, responsibilities and moral development as potential issues. Another use of this, or similar, lists is when writing up the analysis of a case. It is important that you clearly state the reasons (based on facts or theories) for your judgements, conclusions and recommendations in case analysis and this should involve reference to background principles and include references as appropriate. The list looks forbidding but do not be discouraged. You will soon see patterns and similarities in the questions and find favorite questions which can be used a number of times. Their most important value is to get you started in analyzing a situation.