PERSONAL ETHICAL POLICY & PROCESS

PERSONAL ETHICAL POLICY & PROCESS

GOAL:  Develop and articulate in writing a personal ethical policy and process for moral deliberation, decision, and action. In this regard, the written presentation is to highlight three components of a personal approach to ethical thinking and acting. 

The source (authority base) of one’s ethical values
(Why is what you believe important? Where did your beliefs come from?)

The substance (content) of one’s ethical values in response to contemporary
ethical challenges  (What are the essential core values of your ethical views? Identify
and describe them and clarify why they are important and how they are part of you.)
 
The steps that are part of a personal process by which you reference your ethical
source and substance in applying your ethical values to ethical dilemmas 
(How will you apply your values to life’s situations? How will you deliberate, decide, and
act in accordance with what you believe as right? What steps are crucial to evaluating,
deciding, and acting on everyday moral challenges, be they ordinary or special?)

The first part of the essay focuses on the source of one’s ethical values. It should begin with a general statement of one’s personal ethical beliefs and commitments, and what policy or authority base is a source for them. Examples of common sources include family emphases, religious beliefs, and political traditions. Clarification must be given to identifying from where and on what basis one’s views and values have been developed.

The second part of the essay should summarize the essential substance of one’s ethical values. In this regard, one highlights the ethical values and views that are most central to what one believes to be right and good. Herein, in describing one’s ethical commitments, one underscores the connection between one’s ethical source and substance.  For instance, a connection between what one values and why might be noted in referencing the Ten Commandments, or the Golden Rule, or the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or wisdom from one’s grandmother.

The third part of the essay should identify key steps of decision-making whereby one applies one’s values to ethical challenges in today’s world. This entails outlining a personal process for deliberating on, deciding, and acting in response to ethical dilemmas. Each student should describe an overall process for such, and then list step by step the ingredients of the process. Some reference to examples may be helpful in clarifying the process.