Ethical Decision-Making
  

Everyone makes many decisions everyday. What components do you take into consideration when making choices or decisions? Some decisions reflect our aesthetic taste: "I like blue, so I'll get that one." Some on need: "I need to lose weight, so I won't eat the cupcake." Some on time constraints: "I'll take the shortcut home; I'm already late." Many other restraints, needs, desires, internal and external forces impinge on our decisions, both the big ones and the little ones. Some decisions require very little thought; others need an extreme amount of time and emotional effort.

The ethical decisions we make are influenced at three levels of impact:
  • Individual Level

The character of the individual developed over the years; ... of principles, ideals, values; capacities for moral discernment; conscience, moral courage.


  • Situational Level

The confirmation with a particular issue; knowledge of the situation and exercise of discernment; application of principle consonant with one's personal identity
  • Society Level
 The individual nurtured and shaped by the social and cultural milieu -- family, neighborhood, peer groups, schools, church.

However, the full impact of what we know to be right will only affect our decisions if we take the time to consider our actions. If we are very comfortable telling our children to lie about their age to obtain a reduced fare on the bus or at the movies, we either think that this is acceptable or have not taken the time to recognize what is right or wrong about that decision. We must begin to take the time and the effort to examine our work setting and our actions as speech-language pathologists. If we do not, we allow someone else to dictate our ethics.

If you believe that by being a speech-language pathologist you have an obligation to act ethically, then you have a moral obligation to know the code of ethics and how to utilize it when making work-related decisions. This does not mean you blindly follow its dictates; it means you examine your decision in light of your personal ethics, society's rules (including the Code), and the situation. If there is conflict you must determine how to resolve the dilemma and adhere to your personal values.


From: Jersild Paul T., Making Moral Decisions Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press (1990)
as it appears in Ethics Resources for Professional Preparation and Practice, ASHA, Council on Professional Ethics, Rockville, MD (1993).

 

© Rentschler, 2009