How do you
make an
ethical
decision?
How do you
make an
ethical
decision?
My approach to
ethical dilemmas:
Weigh up the benefits and
costs and choose the
option that makes most
people happy.
This is the ‘utilitarian approach’
My approach
to ethical decisions:
Before I do anything,
I make sure it does
not violate other
people’s rights.
This is rights-based thinking
My approach to
ethical decisions:
Be caring and compassionate
about people and
relationships.
This is care-based thinking
Decision 2
Air travel contributes to climate change.
The government urges families to stop taking
any unnecessary foreign trips.
Imagine you are one of the Simpletons. You have
been asked to holiday in the UK, and forget about
foreign beaches. How will you respond?
My approach to
ethical decisions:
I simply choose the option
that turns out best
for me.
This is self-centred thinking
What must I decide about?
Who is
affected?
What are
the benefits
(pros) of
doing this?
What are
the
problems
(cons) of
doing this?
Utilitarian
Conclusion
My approach to ethical decisions:
Weigh up the benefits and costs and choose the
option that makes most people happy.
What must I decide about?
Who is
affected?
What rights
do we want
to protect?
(e.g. choice,
freedom, life)
Will the
decision
violate
(go against)
any rights?
How?
Rights-based
Conclusion
My approach to ethical decisions:
Before I do anything, I make sure it does not
violate other people’s rights.
What must I decide about?
Who is
affected?
How will
doing this
make their
life better?
How will
doing this
make their
life worse?
Care-based
Conclusion
My approach to ethical decisions:
Be caring and compassionate about
people and relationships.
What must I decide about?
Who is
affected?
Is this a
good thing
for me or a
bad thing
for me?
How
important is
this to me?
Self-centred
Conclusion
My approach to ethical decisions:
Simply choose the option that turns
out best for me.
Come and shop
in our new store.
Decision 3
Imagine you are one of the Simpletons.
You have been invited to shop at the new
Fair Trade store. How will you respond?
Simpletons role cards
My approach
to ethical
decisions:
I simply choose
the option that
turns out best
for me.
My approach
to ethical
decisions:
Before I do anything,
I make sure it does
not violate other
people’s rights.
My approach
to ethical
decisions:
Be caring and
compassionate
about people and
relationships.
My approach
to ethical decisions:
Weigh up the benefits
and costs and choose
the option that makes
most people
happy.