Before answering the question, "What are the principles of ethical decision making?" we must first understand what ethics is. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines ethics as fallows: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation (Ethic). Good and bad, moral duty how is one to know whether what they believe to be good, bad, or moral to be what everyone else will see it as? If followed the 10 Rules for Ethical Decision Making will answer the question whether your actions will be viewed as ethical or unethical. Knowing whether your decision is ethical is only half the answer; one must have a reason for choosing the ethical path. The Top Ten Reasons to Live a Life of Integrity should help with this.
             When making a choice the question "Is this ethical?" should always be asked. To help answer this The 10 Rules of Ethical Decision Making should be followed. The rules are as follows:
             1) The "60 minutes" rule. 2) The "no one will know" rule. 3) The "abdominal dissonance" rule. 4) The "only-this-once" rule. 5) The "alter ego" rule. 6) The "Nazi" rule. 7) The "trust me" rule. 8) The "long run" rule. 9) The "self-esteem" rule. 10) The "golden rule." (10 Rules)
             If these rules are fallowed these rules will keep someone from committing an unethical act. Perhaps the most effective way to make an ethical decision is to use "reflective equilibrium" or the decisional balance approach (Clause 280). This method requires a review gains v. losses. In reviewing if the profits out weigh the losses then the risk should be taken but if the losses out weigh gains then the risk should not be taken.
             In my case I did not fallow all of these rules. To be honest I did not think of any of them. Specifically I violated rules 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8. The &quo...