Critical Thinking
1. Identification
Identify the core ethical issue. There may be more than one ethical issue. Some issues may be different from a bigger one. Peel back the layers by asking questions.
2. Research
List three or four topics related to the main issue that will broaden your scope of knowledge. It can include to reading books, consulting a (legal) expert, and/or internet searches.
3. Analysis
Table form: On one row or column, list the possible actions to take. On the other, list the stakeholders that will be affected by at least one option. Include the two main parties affected by the ethical issue.
Text form: Think of possible actions to take and consider how the stakeholders will be affected. It's likely some options will not end up in the final draft. People in high stress or stakes situations tend to fall in a false dichotomy dilemma. The more you turn the shape around and consider the stakeholders, the more options you can find. You can also use the values and principles of ethical theories to guide your options 4. Application
Complete the table or paragraph with how each option may affect each stakeholder. Ethical principles used can be related to ethical theories or personal moral philosophy. 5. Decision Making
Choose the option that reflects the ethical principles you chose and be able to justify it. Imagine you are telling this to someone else. Consider the stakeholders in your answer as well as your audience.
Others may accept an answer that has a extensice reasoning behind it even if they don't agree with it. Focus on how your decision relates to important parts of the problem and used information from the analysis to make your decision.
6. Evaluation
With great decisions come great responsibilities, whether or not your choice will be received with backlash, it's important to get into the habit of writing objections to your own arguments. Not only it demonstrates higher thinking but it will also let you see your own point of view for what it is. Just an opinion.
7. Reflection
Admit to yourself the values behind your decision and contrast them with others. What could you have done differently? What did you learn about yourself? What are you proud if this decision? What values was your decision based on? Criticial Thinking encourages polishing the thinking process. Knowing your mental strengths and weaknesses are just as important as your personal qualities.