After reading the article “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” I gained insight into the six ethical lenses that guide our decision-making processes. One lens that particularly resonated with me is the Common Good Lens. I’ve come to realize that our ethical choices are significantly shaped by the environments we inhabit, influenced by both our behaviors and social factors. This lens emphasizes the importance of our communities in ethical reasoning.

As highlighted by Santa Clara University (2021), “This approach suggests that the interlocking relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others—especially the vulnerable—are requirements of such reasoning.” This quote struck me because it underscores how the communities we belong to impact our decision-making. I’ve noticed this in my own experiences, especially when working on group projects. When team members share a common goal and foster a positive atmosphere, decision-making becomes much smoother.

The framework for ethical decision-making reminds me of how I approach personal choices in my everyday life. Another lens that stood out to me is the Justice Lens, which focuses on fairness and equality. According to Santa Clara University (2021), “Equal treatment implies that people should be treated as equals according to some defensible standard such as merit or need, but not necessarily that everyone should be treated in the exact same way in every respect.” This principle is particularly relevant in collaborative settings. When creating team charters, we always establish guidelines to ensure that everyone is treated equitably and fairly.

Source: https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/