BIVINS ETHICS WORKSHEET

from the original by Thomas Bivins, University of Oregon

[revised copy available at http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/bivins.html; original

copy available at http://jcom.uoregon.edu/~tbivins/j495/Worksheet.html]

1. What is the case you are analyzing and what is(are) the *ethical* issue(s) involved in the dilemma? (state these issues in one or two sentences.)

2. Who are the claimants and do you have any obligations to them, such as:

2a. A promise/contract you made (implied or express)? (Fidelity)

2b. A wrong you committed that you now have to make up? (Reparation)

2c. Gratitude for something one of the claimants did for you? (Gratitude)

2d. The merit of the claimants when compared with each other? (Justice)

2e. Your ability to help someone out who needs and deserves help? (Beneficence)

2f. Your ability to avoid harming anyone unnecessarily? (Non-injury)

3. What do you think each of these claimants would prefer that you do regarding this issue?

4. List at least 3 alternative courses of action (the two extremes and a compromise).

5. For each alternative, ask the following questions:

5a. What are the best-case and worst-case scenarios if you choose this alternative? Can you live with the worst-case scenario?

5b. Will anyone be harmed if this alternative is chosen, and how will they be harmed?

5c. Is the "good" brought about by your action outweighed by the potential harm that might be done to anyone? (Mill's Harm Principle)

5d. Are there any rules or principles (legal, professional, religious, organizational, or other) that automatically invalidate this alternative?

6. To what degree is your choice of alternatives based on your own or your organization's best interests? (Ethical Egoism)

7. Which of the alternatives will generate the greatest benefit (or the least amount of harm) for the greatest number of people? (Utilitarianism)

8. Are you willing to make your decision a rule or policy that you and others in your situation can follow in similar situations in the future? (Kant)

9. Have you or will you be using any person as a means to an end without consideration for his/her basic integrity? (Kant)

10. Determine a course of action (solution) based on your analysis.

11. Give evidence to show what philosophic viewpoint your solution represents.

12. Defend your decision in the form of a letter addressed to your most adamant detractor.