EAI
Values and Perspectives
Values Underlying the CORE Ethical Perspectives
In most personal and professional situations, it is important to overcome communication problems that
occur when people approach ethical problems, questions or concerns from different ethical
perspectives. An often effective way to do this is to find common ground for agreement by identifying
the underlying values of the ethical perspectives that are shared by the people involved. Each of TWI’s
CORE perspectives has several underlying values. Some of these values are quite similar and can be
a point from which to work toward common agreement on how to approach the ethical issue or concern
involved, such as setting priorities or agreeing on what the results could be.
An important thought to keep in mind is that, in most cases, each of us is trying to make the best ethical
decision in the situation given the information we have and how we prioritize our values. The path that
each of us takes in prioritizing the values of a particular perspective informs the reasoning used in
deciding what is the right thing to do and how we ought to do it. Recognizing this fact is a first step in
mutual ethical problem solving.
When applying the four step ethical decision making process presented in the Ethical Awareness
Inventory, it is important to understand that these values inform our reasoning at each step, especially
in step four. Knowing and using these values will make your ethical reasoning more effective in
determining the best ethical decision available to you, and others. They will help you more productively
communicate the ethical choices you make.
Character
Results




















Fairness
Integrity
Honor
Exemplary reputation
Commitment to virtue and decency
Focus on what it is good to be, rather than to do
Justice
Respect for ideals/values
Equal goodwill toward others
Personal excellence
Fairness toward society as a whole
Commitment to the greatest good for greatest number
Bottom line oriented
Willingness to sacrifice for the good of the whole
Achievement of goals/productivity
Effectiveness/efficiency
Achievement of the good life for the majority
Respect for technical expertise
Equal opportunity for all
Excellence of outcomes
Obligation
Equity




















Fairness to others
Commitment to duty
Primacy of universal principles of right and wrong
Reliability
Dignity
Personal fortitude
Rational thought
Respect for individual decision making
Equal respect for others
Excellence in principles and duty
Fairness to individual others
Opposition to prejudice and discrimination
Pragmatism
Commitment to hear the perspectives/voices of others
Participatory decision making
Commitment to community
Future oriented
Respect for diversity
Equal advantage for all
Excellence in outcomes for everyone
Please note that while the above list of representative values is not intended to be comprehensive and
does not presume to imply that these values are only within the perspectives identified, it serves to
provide the user with a set of values that tend to be dominant within each perspective.
For more information on The Williams Institute:
www.ethics-twi.org
info@ethics-twi.org
480-517-1891