In making ethical decisions, people’s autonomy or the right to self-determination must be respected, which implies the freedom to make the determinants of what has to do with oneself. From the moment the individual begins to make use of reasoning, making decisions emerge that can be oriented to achieve new achievements or goals both personally and in the family.
What are the two components of ethical decisions?
That is why organizations must follow a more structured decision-making process to ensure more consistent alternatives to solve the problem. This ethical decision-making process is based on two components, which are:
- Moral recognition
- Intention and moral action
Decisions concern every individual and organization. That is why it is extremely important to apply this process to achieve the decision’s expected result.
DEFINITION OF ETHICAL DECISION
In everyday professional and personal life, we often face conflict situations or dilemmas that require decisions. The need for this decision-making occurs in the face of dilemmas that arise when there are two or more alternatives that present uncertain conditions to act well. Not all dilemmas in life are ethical, but ethical dilemmas arise when aspects related to morality, issues of conscience, conflict with our lives and demand ethical decision making.
The guiding principle in ethical decision-making is reasoned analysis or rigorous ethical inquiry, in which interested persons participate whether they agree or disagree. In this sense, how the decision is made is perhaps more important than who makes it since how presupposes the use of moral reasoning and active and free participation in that process.
The reasoning simultaneously implies the recognition of the value of the person directly affected by the decisions. In making ethical decisions, people’s autonomy or the right to self-determination that calls for freedom to make decisions about what has to do with oneself must be respected. This principle is based on the principle of the dignity of the person and their rights. Interference with the goals and plans of a person’s life requires a well-founded justification.
In decision making, the choice of a path to follow is important, so the different options available to the individual must be evaluated. If these alternatives did not exist, the decision process could not be carried out.
To make a decision, whatever its nature, it is necessary to know, understand, and analyze a problem to choose the best option.
In some cases, because it is such a simple and everyday problem, the decision-making process is carried out implicitly and can be solved very quickly. But there are other cases in which the consequences of a bad or good choice can have repercussions in life and if it is spoken in the workplace, this can be a success or failure of the organization.
The ethical decision in each person’s daily life, whether in the professional or personal fields, is very important since, at any time, they encounter situations in which they have to make decisions. Still, these decisions must be focused on acting as a moral form and according to the people’s conscience.