Ethical decision-making

Definition

Ethical decision-making refers to the process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles. It involves assessing the moral implications of various options, considering the impacts on stakeholders, and making choices that align with values such as fairness, justice, and integrity. This concept is crucial in narratives where characters face dilemmas, influencing their development and the overall plot.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethical decision-making is often depicted through characters who grapple with dilemmas, illustrating their moral values and growth throughout the story.
2. The decisions made by key characters can drive the plot forward, creating tension and conflict as they navigate their ethical beliefs against societal norms.
3. Themes of sacrifice and redemption frequently arise in stories where ethical decision-making is central, reflecting the struggle between personal desires and moral responsibilities.
4. Characters' choices often serve as catalysts for thematic exploration of justice, loyalty, and betrayal, providing insight into their personalities and motivations.
5. Ethical decision-making can lead to varied outcomes in plots, showcasing how different choices can result in either positive or negative consequences for characters and their communities.

Review Questions

• How do key characters demonstrate ethical decision-making in critical moments of a narrative?
  • Key characters often face moments of crisis that challenge their ethical beliefs, forcing them to make decisions that reveal their true nature. For instance, a character may have to choose between saving a friend or upholding a law, showcasing their values and moral compass. This not only influences their development but also shapes the plot by creating conflicts and resolutions that resonate with the audience.
• In what ways does ethical decision-making impact the themes presented in a story?
  • Ethical decision-making can significantly influence themes such as justice, loyalty, and redemption. When characters confront moral dilemmas, it allows authors to explore these themes more deeply by examining the consequences of their choices. For example, a character's choice to betray a friend for personal gain can highlight themes of loyalty and trust, while their eventual redemption arc can underscore the importance of moral integrity.
• Evaluate how different ethical frameworks can lead characters to make contrasting decisions in a story's climax.
  • Different ethical frameworks, such as consequentialism and virtue ethics, can lead to starkly contrasting decisions by characters during critical moments. For instance, a character guided by consequentialism may choose an action that benefits the majority but harms an individual, while another character rooted in virtue ethics may prioritize personal integrity over societal expectations. This clash not only adds depth to character development but also enriches the narrative by presenting diverse perspectives on morality.

Related terms

Moral Dilemma: A situation in which a person must choose between conflicting ethical principles, often leading to difficult choices.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.

Virtue Ethics: An ethical approach that emphasizes the character of the moral agent rather than rules or consequences, focusing on virtues and moral character.