Faciilitating ethics discussion using EAI

Facilitating ethics discussion using EAI

Facilitating Ethics Discussion Through the

Ethics Awareness Inventory©

We discuss three components in the skill of making ethical decisions:

Awareness, Articulation, Application

Awareness: Developing Knowledge Skills

The Ethics Awareness Inventory© has been designed to support the process for developing a moral self capable of dealing with ethical questions as they arise. An acute AWARENESS of the basis for our ethical perspective and those of others is critical to the facilitation of effective communication. Without a clear understanding of the general principles or concepts that define individual ethical perspectives and styles and the source of our own approach to ethical decisions, we can be left with nothing more to add to the dialog than “It just doesn’t feel right!” The EAI provides the student with a starting point for exploring the philosophical context for the primary principles they are using in defining right and wrong. Many students have shared that prior to completing the EAI, they had never thought about the reasons why one particular action ‘felt’ right and another ‘felt’ wrong.

Suggested classroom discussion questions:

How would you define ethics? Discuss what we mean today when we talk about an ‘ethics violation.’
How do we tend to address ethical problems or challenges today?
Have you ever experienced a situation in which you observed someone engaged in some behavior that they seemed to think was completely acceptable but you believed was ‘wrong’?
How can people approach the same ethical issue with different solutions?

Articulation: Developing Communication Skills

Individual awareness is the foundation for developing a moral language useful in working with others to reach the ethical decisions we face on a daily basis. However, without the ability to explain the basis for our opinions and the rationale for the decision making process we use in reaching those decisions, our influence in group decision making scenarios is seriously hampered. ARTICULATION is achieved when the student learns how to communicate her/his perspective to others. The intent is to equip the student with the capability to offer meaningful input as a part of the moral dialog. The section of the EAI entitled “Your Ethics Awareness Profile” provides the philosophical backdrop for each of the ethical perspectives highlighted in the instrument. This section is intended to offer the student some insight into the expression of these differing views and styles and a language for effective communication.

Suggested classroom discussion questions:

Have you ever been in a situation when something ‘just didn’t feel right’ but you had difficulty explaining why?
What are some of the ethical principles (principles of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’) that you use in evaluating those situations?
How would you describe your ethical perspective to someone else? What is the primary value underlying your decisions?

Application: Using Skills in Situational Context

The final step in reaching the right decision, of course, is the willingness and courage to use this new understanding and language in day-to-day decision making—the APPLICATION of ethical principles to our daily lives. Knowledge and expression are meaningless without action. The section of the EAI entitled “Ethical Decision Making” and the example provided at the back of the instrument offer the student tools to use in the application of ethical principles to specific scenarios. These tools include a decision making tree, analysis of a practical ethical dilemma, and examples of different perspectives on a single ethical decision.

Suggested classroom discussion questions:

Whether you realize it or not, you make ethical decisions every day. Can you think of some examples of some of those decisions?
Describe an ethical issue you observe in our society that concerns you. What can you do to address that problem?
Have you ever been frustrated about something in your family/organization that didn’t seem fair? What did you do (or could you have done) to improve the situation? What ethical principles do you believe were being violated?

Importance of implementing all three components in making ethical decisions.

I think of this three-step process of ethical decision making as A³:

A³ = AWARENESS X ARTICULATION X APPLICATION

The Ethics Awareness Inventory© used in isolation from the other two components of the ethical decision making process will leave the student with increased awareness and a sense of enhanced introspection and self-reflection, but little insight into how to use this new knowledge. Ethical awareness (knowledge) without articulation (communication) is unexceptional, and articulation without application (context) is meaningless. The EAI sets the stage for the development of ethical decision making skills, but it is important to remember that it emphasizes only one of three interrelated links needed to develop a habit or culture supportive of effective ethical decision making. Any class, workshop or seminar that stops short of creating a chain consisting of all the necessary links cannot hope to provide its participants with the full strength of the resources you have available to share with them.

Awareness provides the stabilizing foundation for ethical decision making.
Articulation is critical to the development of effective ethical communication skills.
Application of standards of excellence to facilitate the achievement of ethical outcomes is the ultimate goal.

Learning Objectives:

Be more aware of the basis that forms the student’s core values and ethical beliefs.
Better understand and appreciate the ethical perspectives of others and how to work with people whose perspective is different from that of the student.
Learn techniques to better articulate and explain individual ethical positions so the student can become more influential in group decision making.
Understand how the individuals apply personal beliefs and values to daily decision making—both personally and professionally.

Ultimately, ethical decision making is a matter of personal choice (individually or collectively)—The EAI will not provide all the answers to ethical dilemmas that may arise, but it will assist the student in asking the right questions necessary to develop a culture supportive of effective ethical decision making.