The Jewish Ethics Challenge: Where Do You Stand?

By Arthur Gross Schaefer

A Suggested Strategy for Ethical Decision Making

A key to aid in ethical decision-making is the use of the decision model. The simplest model is to presume that your decision will be made public on national television and that your parents and your local rabbi will be watching. If you still feel comfortable with your decision, then it probably has ethical validity. For more complex ethical situations, try the following model.

1. Define the problem carefully. Be certain that all of the pertinent facts have been gathered.

2. Note all the people who may be affected by the decision (the stakeholders). A decision which does not take into account the way in which it will affect others is not an ethical one, regardless of the actual consequences.

3. List all the relevant Core Jewish Values involved in the decision-honesty, integrity, brit, loyalty, tzedakah, chesed, respect for human dignity, respect for law, accountability, taking responsibility, tikkun olam.

4. Outline all the possible alternatives. Often we believe we have a limited number of options when, in reality, there are several other choices which may resolve the situation in a better or less harmful way

5. Choose and prioritize
   1. Of all the people you listed above, select the one who you believe is the most important to address in this decision
   2. Of all the Core Jewish Values you listed, select the most important one
   3. Of all the options you listed above, select the one which you believe will cause the greatest good or least harm
   4. Make a decision
   5. Devise a strategy that will effectively implement your decision

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