Jordan Mitchell outlines three systems of ethics - consequentialism, ethics of care, and act utilitarianism - that he uses to make ethical decisions. He provides an example of using these systems to determine whether to tell his friend's mother about her drug use. Considering the potential consequences, his relationship to those involved, and who would benefit most, he decided to tell the truth despite losing his friendship, as it ensured his friend received help and had more positive outcomes overall. Mitchell believes using these frameworks helps him make well-reasoned choices and will be useful in both personal life and professional career.

1. Personal Philosophy
By Jordan Mitchell

2. Ethical Dilemmas
 When faced with ethical dilemmas in life I first think of the potential
consequences of my choices.
 I try to examine the pros and cons of each option presented, and
ultimately go with the decision in which I feel will provide a more
positive outcome.
 This system of ethics is called Consequentialism.

3. Consequentialism
Consequentialism Ethics
System of ethics in which
the ethical decision or act
is determined by the
outcomes or the
consequences. (p.323)

4. Watershed Example
 A situation in which I used consequentialism ethics to determine the
best choice was during my Junior year of High School.
 My best friend introduced me to a new group of friends she had
made over the course of the year.
 As I developed a friendship with each person individually, I began to
see their participation in drug and alcohol abuse.

5. Consequentialism & Watershed
 I had the unfortunate experience of watching my best friend follow in
their foot steps.
 My best friend had become very ill at school one day as a result of
heavy drug use and alcohol the night before.
 In the nurse’s office I had to decide whether or not to tell the nurse
and my best friend’s Mom what she had been doing.

6. Consequentialism in Effect
 In making my decision I had to consider the possible consequences of
telling or withholding the information.
Consequences of the Truth Consequences of Lying
 Medically she will receive proper
treatment
 She will not receive proper treatment
and health could suffer
 Her new friends would be reported
leading to suspension, expulsion or
arrest
 Her new friends would continue to
hand out drugs/alcohol to her and other
students
 Risk of dropping out lowers, school
becomes a focus again
 Risk of dropping out increases, never
graduates
 Maintaining her family’s trust  Maintaining trust through deception,
guilt stricken
 Losing friendship  Keeping friendship at a cost

7. Ethics of Care
 When faced with ethical dilemmas I also take into
consideration each individual it involves and the relationship I
share with them
 This system of ethics is defined as Ethics of Care
 “The ethical act is what the caring person would do.” (Neher &
Sandin, p.124)
 In making my choice about my best friend I had to analyze and
evaluate the relationship I had with her and others involved

8. Ethics of care
Ethics of Care – The ethical system
association with Carol Gilligan, in which
one’s real-life relationships shape one’s
determination of what is ethical in given
situations. (p.323)

9. Ethics of Care in Effect
 Given the relationship, the situation and ethical choices becomes
much more complicated
 My decisions become altered when comparing my relationship with
my best friend versus an acquaintance
 For example, I feel a stronger need to take action with my best friend
because of the connection we have developed
 In the situation with an acquaintance, the urge to take action has
lessened due to lack of information, connection and relationship
 This is not to say I wouldn’t help the acquaintance, but the way in
which I would help them would be different based on connection and
relationship

10. Act Utilitarianism
 When dealing with ethical dilemmas, I also try to think of what choice or
solution would help the greatest number of people involved.
 As the book states, “There is a certain mathematical logic to utilitarianism,
since one should be able to count and total the benefits versus the costs
and calculate the number of people affected.” (Neher & Sandin, P. 61)
 This system of ethics is called Act Utilitarianism

11. Act Utilitarianism
The type of utilitarianism that holds that in
each separate case, one determines what
the greatest good for the greatest number
would be. (p.323)

12. Act Utilitarianism In Effect
 Given the situation with my best friend, act utilitarianism helps me
determine who involved would get the greatest benefit out of my decision
 It is clear from the list above, telling the truth provides the greatest good
for the greatest number of people
Who Benefits from Truth Who Benefits from Lying
 Me  Best Friend
 Best Friend  Her other friends with the
drugs/alcohol
 Her Mom
 The School
 Other Students

13. So, what happened?
 After using each system of ethics to determine what the best choice
was, I chose to tell the truth and expose my best friend’s drug and
alcohol use
 I knew the consequences of telling the truth. I did lose my friendship
but she was able to get help for her addiction
 I told the truth because I cared and ultimately felt that I would be held
responsible if I didn’t alert anyone
 More people gained positive results from the truth

14. Usefulness and Application
 Consequentialism, ethics of care and utilitarianism are strong
systems in which I can use in both personal and professional
environments
 Each system will provide a strong perspective when faced with
difficult situations
 I’m able to see potential consequences before making
important life decisions, how those decisions may affect or be
affected by relationships, and what option best suits my needs
and the needs of others
 These are important in the area of work I’ve chosen as well
(entertainment and production)
 When working with potential clients and making important
decisions for the company, I’m better equipped to handle each
situation in a logical and mature manner

15. Influence of Ethical Development
 My moral and ethical development stems from what my
parents taught me as a child
 They taught me that it’s important to think of the consequences
when making decisions
 They taught me that even in difficult situations the easy path
may not always be the right one
 It is better to be honest and think about the end result rather
than a quick solution
 It is important to consider the feelings of others who may be
involved

16. Moving Forward
 In the future I believe I’ll use each
system of ethics to make what I feel
is the best choice in a given
situation
 It is important to take a step back
and think rationally about the
dilemmas presented in life because
quick and easy decisions may not
always provide the best results
 Ultimately because I am responsible
for the choices, I must feel
comfortable with the results whether
they are what I expect them to be or
not

17. Reference
 Neher, W.W., Sandin, P.J. (2007) Communicating ethically:
Character, duties, consequences and relationships. Boston:
Pearson, Allyn & Bacon.
 Music – They Move On Tracks by This Will Destroy You