2. Ethical Worksheet - Corrections

"ETHICAL WORKSHEET "copyright Thomas H . Bivins , 2000 with modifications by Coleen M . Cusack , 2003 "STUDENT NAME "1 . What is the ethical issue / problem ? Define in one or two sentences "The ethical dilemma is whether the Probation Officer should base his recommendation taking into account what the husband went through for his country , or just based on a literal interpretation of the law "2 . Most Important Facts (MIF . Which facts have the most bearing on the ethical decision presented ? Include any potential economic , social or political pressures "While serving our country in the military , he became a Prisoner of War , resulting

in extreme trauma especially when confined . The fact of the third conviction can not be ignored . Social and political pressures may force the judge to sentence the husband harshly , regardless of past trauma "3 . Claimant , Obligations and Perspectives : Identify each claimant who has an interest in the outcome of this ethical issue . From the perspective of the moral agent (individual contemplating ethical course of action ) what obligation is owed to the claimant ? Identify the perspective of each of the claimants by indicating what outcome they would prefer to this issue "CLAIMANT "OBLIGATION "PERSPECTIVE "The person accused of the crime , the husband "Gratitude , Beneficiance "This Claimant would prefer that his past trauma be taken into account along with his crime "The Judge hearing the case "Fidelity , Non-Injury "This Claimant would prefer an unbiased , objective outcome based on facts according to the agreement with the Moral Agent "Society "Fidelity , Beneficience "This Claimant would like justice served , according to literal intepretation of law "3D "3E "OBLIGATIONS "FIDELITY : Did the moral agent enter into a contract (express or implied , make a promise to or an agreement with the claimant "REPARATION : Did the moral agent previously commit a wrong against this claimant that can now be repaid "GRATITUDE : Is the moral agent grateful to the claimant ? Does the moral agent owe the claimant a return favor "JUSTICE : Do the equities favor this claimant as compared with all others ? [NOTE : Should only be assigned to ONE claimant .] "BENEFICENCE : Is the moral agent able to help this claimant out and does this claimant need and deserve help "NON-INJURY : Is the moral agent able to avoid harming this claimant unncessarily "4 . ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION "ALTERNATIVE ONE "ALTERNATIVE TWO "ALTERNATIVE THREE "What is the alternative ? [Must identify three possible alternatives] "The Probation Officer could refuse to complete the report based on the accused being a former POW "The Moral Agent could ask for more evaluation because of the regression of the husband "The husbands doctors can address the idea of pyschiatric long-term care "What are the best- and worse-case scenarios if you choose this alternative "Best case scenario would be that the husband would be treated for his trauma as opposed to jail . Worst-case scenario , the husband can get a new probation officer who may not be as understanding of his situation "Best case scenario- more detailed evaluation may help the probation officer in making the recommendation...