title: Four ways we approach ethics.
abstract: Most people use four different approaches when making ethical decisions. Some people use one approach predominantly, while others vary their approaches according to the circumstances. In either case, the approaches usually are chosen unconsciously. A main source of conflict in decision making occurs when two parties argue or negotiate their positions from different moral approaches, for these different moral approaches are not convincing to one another. People may be persuaded to change their minds only when a stronger position is raised within their own moral approach. The different moral approaches are the principle, consequences, virtue/character, and moral sentiment approaches. Conflicts in decision making can become easier to resolve when decision makers first recognize they are using different moral approaches and then choose to negotiate within the same moral approach.
authors.affiliation: Sisters of Mercy Health System, 14528 S. Outer Forty, Suite 100, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA. botoole@corp.mercy.net
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Toole
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D003657:Decision Making; D003729:Dental Care / Q000941:ethics*; D028663:Ethical Theory; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000941:ethics*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D017008:Negotiating; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D012945:Social Values; D014481:United States