Consensus, discovered and acknowledged, has a special power to change society and lives. A clear, consistent language represents that consensus. So that people can see what unites our diverse and fractured society, so that the challenge of ethical relativism can be tackled. So that ethical decisions, while not necessarily made any easier, can nevertheless become more consistent and defensible.

Finally, using core ethical values as the basis for principled reasoning can help us detect situations where we focus so hard on upholding one moral principle that we sacrifice another. Where, intent on holding others accountable, we ignore the duty to be compassionate; where, intent on getting a job done, we ignore how.

Everyone makes many decisions everyday. There are three levels of impact ethical decisions we make are influenced by;

o Individual Level: The character of the individual developed over the years; ... of principles, ideals, v

People’s values and opinions differ and, as a result, ethical decisions often involve different perspectives and judgments. Sometimes, those perspectives can be clouded by lifetime hurts. They also may involve differing personal and corporate goals. It is important to recognize and deal with these considerations and ensure that discussions are informed, respectful and civil.

· What is the cost, financial or otherwise, of the proposed solution?

Community living brings with it both rights and obligations. In a long-term care or residential facility, there are other residents with a stake, particularly if the decision will affect their physical or psychological space. Each resident has rights, some rooted in the law and others in values. Every effort should be made to ensure that these rights are recognized and, if they are overridden by a decision, to ask why.

Most decisions involve others: family members, residents or patients, those who will implement the decision; the facility itself. In public policy decision-making, the aging services field as a whole and the general public are affected. Each stakeholder has values and a conscience. All count!

Some topics in this essay:
Moral Decision, Society Level, INTRODUCTION Trustworthiness, ETHICS Everyday, Committee Importantly, Situational Level, Individual Level, LEVELS IMPACT, ethical decision-making, decision-making process, ethical decisions, ethical decision-making process, decisions involve, everyday ethics, -- physical, long-term care, patient resident, physical psychological, process ethical,