SAD%20Formula%20of%20Moral%20Reasoning

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SAD Formula of Moral Reasoning

• 27 January 2009

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Moral Reasoning

• A systematic process of reaching a moral
  decision, based on numerous considerations.

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Equation

• Moral Reasoning S A D
• Where
• S situation definition
• A analysis
• D decision

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Situation Definition Requirements

1. Description of the facts
2. Identification of principles and values
3. Statement of ethical issue

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Analysis Requirements

1. Weighing of competing values
2. Consideration of external factors
3. Examination of duties
4. Discussion of applicable theories/decision-making
   norms

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Decision Requirements

1. Rendering of decision
2. Defense of the decision

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Purposes of the SAD Formula

• Serves as a guide for newbies to cultivate their
  moral reasoning skills
• Serves as a tool to respond to both real and
  hypothetical issues
• Helps attune the mind to logical thinking

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Application Case Study

• Situation
• The case study explores the issue of source
  confidentiality. A source who wishes to remain
  unidentified tells news reporters a piece of
  background information against one gubernatorial
  candidate. The editors decided not to honor the
  sources request for anonymity. Is this decision
  justifiable? Should reporters be trusted in
  giving their word?

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Application Case Study

• Analysis (evaluation)
• Breaking promises is a serious offense. However,
  the editors felt compelled to do so for one
  obviously good reason The mention of the
  sources name adds credibility to the news report.

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Application Case Study

• Analysis (evaluation)
• The editors decision affects many entities
• The source could lose his job.
• The reporters could lose their credibility to
  keep their word with other sources.
• The object of the revelation could suffer from a
  tarnished reputation.
• The reader of the report could be either misled
  or enlightened.

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Application Case Study

• Analysis (external factor)
• There are a number of external factors that may
  be considered
• the absence of a definite policy on source
  confidentiality
• the absence of guidelines on when and when not to
  seek management approval
• the possible attitude of readers for and against
  political smear campaigns and character
  assassination

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Application Case Study

• Analysis (moral duties)
• The editors have moral duties to the following
• their conscience
• those affected by the decision (reporters/colleagu
  es source)
• their financial supporters
• the society

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Application Case Study

• Analysis (moral theories)
• Teleological (consequence) The end justifies
  the mean.
• vs.
• Deontological (process) It is wrong to break
  promises.

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Application Case Study

• Decision
• The editors decision to breach source
  confidentiality was not a good one. Credibility
  is important in journalism. However, when editors
  do not honor the promises made by their reporters
  to the sources, the editors are undermining the
  credibility of their own reporters and eventually
  their own newspapers.

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Brainstorming Exercise

• Media publishes the photo of a suspect on a
  prominent murder case
• Media decides not to publish a scandalous story
  involving one of its prominent advertisers

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Call center agent murdered

• CEBU CITY -- The body of a 26-year-old female
  call center agent was found stuffed in two
  garbage bags in a hotel in Barangay Subangdaku,
  Mandaue City late Thursday night.
• Homicide police said Lynn "Vi" Ebarita, a
  TeleTech employee, was stabbed 22 times by around
  three persons she had a drinking session with
  inside a room in the Nikkei Garden Hotel. She was
  believed killed inside the comfort room around
  January 18 or 19. (OCP/Sun.Star Cebu)