Ethical Decision Making

Ethical decision making can be categorized into three philosophical theories; consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics. Consequentialism is the theory that when an ethical decision is made, it is done so with all of the potential consequences taking into consideration (Axia, 2011). Deontology is the theory that involves specific duties and rights of the person involved in the decision process and how it affects others (Axia, 2011). Virtue ethics concern the morality associated with personal making the ethical decision as well as the outcome of the decision (Axia, 2011). Our assignment presented us with three different scenarios and asked us to determine how we would handle each scenario using the different philosophical theories.

In the first scenario we are given a Mayor who has to decide whether or not it is better to displace 100 senior citizens, removing the recreation center and eliminating 30 jobs by tearing down the nursing home in order to build a large mall and resort. On one hand, the new facilities would bring in $150 million dollars of revenue for the community but on the down side it means destroying a nursing home and recreation center which currently homes 100 residents and provides 30 people with jobs. My initial thoughts for this scenario were that the ethical decision would be to put off the new developments and to keep the nursing home and recreation center. I do not, however, believe that this is the correct ethical decision. Under the guidelines of consequentialism, the positives outweigh the negatives if the large mall and resort are built. The boost to the economy by the increase in funds will benefit the community immensely. The mall and resort will also create new jobs which may help those who lose jobs when the nursing home closes. While the community is currently at the limit in regards to expansion without demolition properties, the increase in funds could lead to the purchasing of land which would allow for a new nursing home and recreation center to be built.

Taking into consideration the deontology theory, the Mayor must consider what will benefit the entire community and not just a select group when he makes his final decision. I would still say that the right decision is to build the new properties. While the rights of the senior citizens are important, I do not think that they outweigh the needs of the community. It is not that the senior citizens are unimportant but the income from the mall and resort allow the community to prosper in ways that will have long-term positive effects.

Using the virtue ethics theory I would need to consider whether my decision is a moral one. The decision to close the nursing home initially impacts 130 people, more when friends and family are considered. Building the mall and resort affects the entire community. While the inconvenience to the initial 130 is not ideal, the moral thing to do is to build the mall and resort and allow for