[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Ethics: Decision making
Ethics or morality poses questions about how we ought to act and how we should live. It asks, "According to what standards are these actions right or wrong?" It asks, "What character traits (like honesty, compassion, fairness) are necessary to live a truly human life?" It also asks, "What concerns or groups do we usually minimize or ignore? And why might that be?" Admitting our blindness is the beginning of vision.
Making ethical decisions is especially important in institutions that have different levels of care---from independent to skilled medical care. Often, decisions are made on the elderly person's behalf without his/her input. Respecting the individual's right vs. the policies and procedures that regulate an industry can often create conflicts. It is essential for caregivers to understand their own values and how their values based on their cultural, religious or moral upbringing may be in conflict with the values of the institution or the elderly client whom they serve (Bommer, Gratto, Gravender, Tuttle, 1987).
Most executives believe that they and others in their organizations are fair and unbiased decision makers when, in fact, many fall short of this self-perception. Extensive research on the psychology of decision making shows evidence of unconscious, counter-intentional biases, which even the most well-meaning executives unwittingly allow to influence seemingly objective decisions. Part of the reason for this disparity is the disconnect between who people really are and what they know about themselves at a conscious level. What's more, even unconscious or "implicit" biases can be contrary to consciously held "explicit" beliefs. No aspect of the business world is immune, as these influenced thoughts and feelings undermine managers' fundamental work—to recruit and retain superior talent, boost individual and team performance, and collaborate effectively with business partners and customers (Dunfee, Robertson, 1988).............
