An ethical issue can arise when people are making complex choices for themselves, or on behalf of others. In such situations, an individual’s own set of values may conflict, or they may conflict with those of others, leading to uncertainty about how to proceed. Ethical decision-making involves deciding what to do, why to do it, and how to implement a decision.

Signs of an ethical issue or dilemma include:

  • Sensing that something is “not right”, or feeling overwhelmed by a complicated decision
  • Thinking you know the right thing to do, but there are other factors that make you uncertain
  • Having conflicting values, beliefs, goals, or responsibilities
  • Being concerned about whether choices are in keeping with your beliefs, or those of people around you