Ethical Worksheet

"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 "Moral Agent must decide proper sentencing for Husband found guilty of DUI but also a former POW . What should Moral Agent do "2 . Most Important Facts (MIF . Which facts have the most bearing on the ethical decision presented ? Include any potential economic , social or political pressures "Husband has extensive records proving he was a former POW in Somalia . This is Husband 's third conviction , which usually leads to some kind of

sentence . Husband , due to military experience and according to his doctors , is unable to handle any type of confinement "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 "Husband "Beneficience , Non-Injury "Would prefer Moral Agent find him unable to be confined "Wife "Fidelity , Beneficience , Non-Injury "Would prefer Moral Agent allow husband to go with her "Judge "Fidelity , Beneficience , Non-Injury "Would prefer Moral Agent does an ethical , professional report on the facts of case "Community "Fidelity , Beneficience , Non-Injury , Justice "Would prefer Husband is sentenced accordingly without taking into account his past "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] "Husband is sentenced , but instead of jail time has to do community service for the sentence period . Community service would include Alcohol Abuse help , educating others abt alcohol and attend anger management classes "Husband is instead sentenced to pyschiatric in-patient facility until Doctors see fit to release him "Husband receives incarceration for 45 days "What are the best- and worse-case scenarios if you choose this alternative "Best-Case Scenario- Husband abstains from drinking , gets help for his anger and educates others about his experiences . Worst-Case Scenario- Due to "mental age " husband does not follow through with community service , landing him in prison "Best-Case Scenario- Husband receives help for POW experience and becomes functioning member of society . Worst-Case Scenario- Husband becomes full-time permanent resident of pyschiatric hospital due to...