Ethical Decision-Making Model
Paper instructions:
Ethical Decision-Making Model Paper

Watch: “Business Ethics: A 21st-Century Perspective” http://digital.films.com/PortalViewVideo.aspx?xtid=10685 and
the “Ethics: What Is Right?” video http://digital.films.com/PortalViewVideo.aspx?xtid=32706

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that addresses the following:

• Explain what role ethics plays in communications.

• Summarize three ethical decision-making models presented in the introduction of Media Ethics. The models presented include the following:

o 1A: Aristotle’s Mean
o 1B: Confucius’s Golden Mean
o 2A: Kant’s Categorical Imperative
o 2B: Islam’s Divine Commands
o 3: Mill’s Principle of Utility
o 4: Rawls’s Veil of Ignorance
o 5A: Judeo-Christian Persons as Ends

• Identify one of the models you summarized and explain why you think it is better than the other two. You may want to define what you mean by better; for example, a better model might be one of the following:

o One that is easiest for a majority of people to follow
o One that you think most often leads to morally sound decisions
o One that is most capable of handling tough moral dilemmas
o One that allows you, personally, to make effective moral decisions

• Describe a communications-related ethical problem and explain how you would apply your preferred model to address it.

• Have an introduction and conclusion, Format the paper consistent with APA guidelines.

HINTS—Conclusions, Recommendations (I&D, Q&T)

C&R – “conclusions and recommendations”. Make them. Make them clear, concise. Base them on readings, experience, citations, case studies, text material, etc. All assignments, presentations, plans, etc. should end with conclusions and recommendations. Conclusions “wrap up” and recommendations tell “do this” based on conclusions. Conclusions typically cover past and present (some future), recommendations focus on what to do now and in the future, they are the foundation of the plan and getting where you need to go.

Super Important: ALL (almost all) every one ) papers and presentations MUST include clearly marked and well thought out conclusions and recommendations (in that order). Use the recommendations as suggestions of action to be implemented following the presenting of the paper to execs / clients / interested parties. Failure to do such ends in minus 10% for no/improper conclusions, and additional 10% for no/improper recommendations ( yes, that could be minus 20%). Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation are worth 10% of the grade.

Q & T – “quantify and time”, all recommendations, objectives, plan items, should be quantified and timed. Quantify by putting a number as in %, $, # next to the comment, and Time by establishing a timeframe such as daily, weekly, month, quarter, annually. For example, “acquire 23% market share for Color Treads by 31 December. That’s Q & T’d.

I & D = Increase and decrease. You choose. Increase or decrease and tell “what” to increase/decrease, by how much, and by when? Make it/them specific. Example: Increase market share by 13% by 12/31/13, decrease absenteeism by 22% by 6/30/13.