Lecture 5Ethical Decision-making Model and Framework Potter Box Model

Potter BoxHarvard theologian Ralph Potter developed the model for ethical decision-making which is widely known as Potter Box;

It suggests that you should go through four steps to arrive at an ethical judgment;

Potter BoxThe four steps are: 1) Understanding the facts; 2) outlining the values inherent in the decision; 3) applying relevant philosophical principles, and 4) articulating a loyalty;Facts Values Principles Loyalties

Potter BoxStep 1:

Understanding the facts of the case. In some cases the facts are straightforward but the ethical choice rests with how much of it you are going to print;

Potter BoxStep 2:

- Outlining values. Values is a much abused word in modern English. People can value everything from their loved ones to making fashion statement;

Potter BoxIn ethics, however, the word values takes on a more precise meaning;In this sense, when you value something- an idea or a principle it means you are willing to give up other things for it;If, as a journalist, you value truth above all things, then you must sometimes be willing to give up privacy in favour of it;

Potter BoxIf, as a journalist, you value both truth and privacy, then you may be willing to give up some truth to attempt to preserve victims privacy;

Does it ethical?http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ajxwr_%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%A8-last-part-6-bangla-crime-program-chargesheet-report-2014_shortfilmshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/bengali/news/2015/02/150218_rh_rubel_happy

Potter BoxTruth and privacy are lofty ideas, and an important element of using the Potter Box is to be honest what you really do value;Most of us value keeping our jobs, journalist often value getting the story first;

Potter BoxStep 3:

Applications of philosophical principles. Once you have decided what you value, you need then to apply the philosophical principles;

Potter BoxA journalist has duties both to the readers and to the victim and they must be weighed before making a decision;

Aristotles golden mean would counsel a middle ground that balances printing every detail against printing no story at all;

Potter BoxThe newspaper should print some story, but not one that unconsciously reveals the victims identity

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Potter BoxStep 4:

- Articulation of loyalties. Potter, too, viewed loyalty as a social commitment and use of the Potter Box will reflect that sort of ethic;

In the fourth step, you need to articulate your loyalties and to decide whether any of them conflict;

Potter BoxYou may have a loyalty to telling the truth, to altering the community to a potential danger, to protecting of individual privacy, or to doing your job well;

Again, your loyalties are not in severe conflict with one another unless you adopt an absolutist view of the truth the community needs to know.