Running head: MY ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

Sara Hibdon
My Ethical Framework
Brandman University

Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

We are often faced with situations where there isnt a clear and obvious answer. A
situation that we werent taught that A plus B will equal C. A situation that often asks us to look
deep within ourselves and come to a conclusion on our own, perhaps one going against others
decisions. This is how I think of moral dilemmas. They are something that does not often have a
clear and concise answer but rather fall in the gray area of life. This makes us turn to our ethical
framework to come up with an answer. An ethical framework is often how people process these
situations. Each persons ethical framework is individual and composed over time. My ethical
framework considers a few different ethical approaches, the utilitarian, the rights, and the virtue
approach. When I consider all of these approaches I often am able to make an ethical decision
that I feel confident in.
The first approach I look toward is the utilitarian approach. The utilitarian approach looks
to do the most good or does the least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest
balance of good over harm (Velasquez, 1). Often times an ethical decision is complicated.
Sometimes it will not make two groups of people happy. Take for instance the controversial
issue of abortion. This is an issue people feel very strongly about, whether for or against it. When
I consider my stance on abortion I use my ethical framework to come to a conclusion. I must ask
myself, what stance does the most good or least harm to society. I ponder the women who are
seeking an abortion, perhaps for dire circumstances such as rape or incest. I ponder the unborn
fetus. I also ponder the future of society having an unwanted child in the world. Using this
ethical approach, of what does the most good or least harm I would have to side with proabortion. The mothers and society will be most affected by this decision and giving them the
choice creates the least harm, as they could ultimately choose life. As the unborn fetus is not yet
a living member of society it is doing the least harm to society by not allowing an unwanted

Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

child. Yet, what rights does the fetus have, if any? This approach does not answer this question
so I must continue my ethical reasoning.
Continuing with my ethical framework I would consider another ethical approach that I
feel encompasses who I am and that is the rights approach. The rights approach is one that best
protects and respects the moral rights of those affected. This approach starts from the belief that
humans have a dignity based on their human nature per se or on their ability to choose freely
what they do with their lives. On the basis of such dignity, they have a right to be treated as ends
and not merely as means to other ends (Velasquez, 1). I feel that it is essential to consider the
basic human rights of all involved. Again, I will use this approach to consider the issue of
abortion. What rights does the woman have as far as her body, future, and life are concerned? Is
the unborn fetus a part of her body and future and life therefore she has the right to make a
decision for it? Does she have the right to make a choice for herself that will affect her body,
future, and life? I believe yes, it is her right to decide what she does with her body, not anybody
elses choice. Then I have to consider the rights of the unborn fetus. Is the unborn fetus a person
who deserves human rights? If so, does he not deserve the right to life? This ethical approach
does not answer the question whether the unborn fetus is a person deserving of rights so I must
continue to my next ethical approach.
The last ethical approach I consider is the virtue approach. The virtue approach is
consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity.
These virtues are dispositions and habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential
of our character and on behalf of values (Velasquez, 1). This is the most difficult yet somehow
the easiest framework to consider. I ask myself, what feels right? What kind of person will I be
by choosing this answer? So while the idea of virtues can be abstract it is what makes up who we

Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

are. My two previous ethical approaches have not been able to fully answer the questions my
moral dilemma of abortion raises. Is the unborn fetus a human? Are they to be considered so in
regards to human rights and future society? To answer this I look deep within myself and find
that I do not consider an unborn fetus a human until they are born. Again, it is what feels right. I
am made up of my virtues and who I am believes that the unborn fetus is not a human until they
are born. So in this regard I am able to come to a conclusion on my moral dilemma.
After considering three ethical approaches I have decided that I am pro-choice on the
issue of abortion. I was able to weigh the issue on the basis of greater good for society using the
utilitarian approach. I asked myself what good to society will come from allowing this abortion
to occur, and what harm will occur. I came to the conclusion that less harm will come to society
by stopping an unwanted child to be born. Yet, this created a lot of harm to the unborn fetus, but
is the fetus deserving of consideration on the matter. This brought me to my next ethical
approach, the rights approach. What rights do all parties involved have? I easily came to the
conclusion that the woman had many human rights to her own body. Yet, again, this left me with
another question, is the fetus a human deserving of rights? So I had to consider my final ethical
approach, the virtue approach. Based on who I am and my beliefs do I consider an unborn fetus
to be a human? My answer was no. Therefore the rights and greater good belong with the mother
and therefore I believe she has the choice whether or not to have an abortion, making me prochoice.
Making moral decisions is complicated. Just like the issue of abortion there is no clear
answer. Many aspects have to be considered when taking a stance on the issue. As humans we
fall on our morals to help make these tough choices. Our ethical framework is the step by step
process we take to answer these tough choices. Our ethical framework is always changing and

Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

developing based on what we experience and learn. Our ethical framework is our own and
something that we should take great pride in.

Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORK

References
Manuel, V. (2015, August 1). A Framework for Ethical Decesion Making. In Markkula
Center for Applied Ethics. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/a-framework-for-ethicaldecision-making/