Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they want to be treated.

Life is full of decisions. From small ones, like what shoes you’re going to wear to go on a walk, to large ones, like potentially moving to a different state to get a job. What makes things a bit more complicated about decision-making is that so many of the consequences—whether good, bad, and neutral—of the decisions you are asked to make are not isolated to just you. Rather, the consequences of your decisions are wrapped up in interdependent, or, multiply connected, relationships to other people, ideas about yourself, and frameworks for how society functions. For instance, if you decide to go on a walk and wear flip-flops but it’s snowing out, your feet are going to get really, really cold. Now, at first, this seemingly impacts just you and your feet. However, let’s say you rent an apartment with your friends. And your decision to wear flip flops for a walk in the snow means your feet hurt, impacting your ability to work your job at Fazoli’s. You now have to take two weeks off of work. This two-week break means you don’t have enough rent money. Not being able to pay your share of rent means you and your roommates are at risk of being evicted. So, at first, a personal decision can seem isolated; however, sometimes the decisions you make have broader consequences than originally imagined.

Many people make decisions based on their personal circumstances, histories, and views of the world. Infused into decision-making processes are ethics. Ethics is concerned with evaluation of human actions as right and wrong. Understanding ethics involves understanding and comparing theories, or ways of thinking, that describe and justify right and wrong actions and ethical claims. As you just read, an individual’s actions do not occur in isolation but within a social context. Specifically, no individual is outside of a relationship with society. So, there is a fuzzy boundary between ethics and social and political codes of conduct. Thinking about social and political codes of conduct means exploring the values related to groups of individuals, from small communities to larger nations. What makes a society good, what makes a government legitimate, what is the relationship between the individual and society/government? Many of these questions, which include evaluating fairness, justice, human rights, and the responsibilities of government, have no easy answers. Engaging with these types of questions is about arguments; it is about thinking and reasoning; it is about human conduct and how humans do or do not want to show up to support one another.

Because people have many different reasons for attending college, college is a time where you will be introduced to ideas, concepts, ways of thinking, and ways of being that may or may not differ from what you experienced prior to attending college. And so, a large part of the college experience is not just going to class to learn important skills for your chosen career, but also figuring out your ethical compass. While ethics never promises to provide an individual with the absolute truth about moral matters, it can help you evaluate ethical ideas by comparing them with others to see if they align. Philosophical thinking, what you’re doing in this chapter in relation to ethics, can help you uncover and discover contradictions and tensions in and among your ideas. Pinpointing contradictions and tensions in and among your ideas helps you think strategically, problem solve, and be better informed.

What is Ethics?

Ethics is the study of the standards of right and wrong that inform us as to how we ought to behave. These standards relate to unwritten rules that are necessary for humans to live among each other, such as “don’t hurt others.” We function better as a society when we treat each other well.

Ethics, or moral philosophy, is also the branch of philosophy concerned with the evaluation of human actions. Even though you may not be a philosophy major, it’s important to understand that knowing about ethics—the study of morality, right and wrong—impacts you and your future careers. This branch of philosophy is concerned not only with theories for characterizing right and wrong actions but also with understanding and analyzing the meaning of and justification for ethical claims. That is, just because you can does it mean you should?

In order to better understand what ethics is, we need to distinguish ethics from what it is not:

Ethics is not what’s legal. The law often puts into writing our ethical standards (don’t hurt others=don’t commit homicide) but it also usually reflects our cultural beliefs at the time. For example, hunting is legal in Kentucky, but it would be difficult to say that everyone agrees that it is ethical to hunt. Some people will argue that hunting is ethical because it manages the wildlife population, while others will argue that it is never ethical because it creates pain and suffering.

Ethics is not what you feel. In fact, most times our feelings are very egocentric: what’s best for me and my nearest and dearest? But making judgments based on these sentiments could be detrimental to society as a whole,

Ethics is not religion. Religions may teach ethical standards, and you may personally use religion to guide your beliefs, but people can have ethics without necessarily belonging to a religion. Therefore, ethics and religion are connected but not interchangeable.

Ethics is not a political ideology. A political party may share your values and offer ethical arguments to support its policies, but your decisions aren’t automatically ethical just because you belong to one political party or another. In fact, many, if not most, political debates are built from arguments that claim one aspect of an ethical dilemma is more significant than another.

What is the purpose of ethics?

The main goal of ethics is to help people make moral decisions, and the key tool it uses is reason. Ethical thinking involves using logic to examine moral beliefs, judgments, and behaviors. At its best, ethics encourages people to support and live by ideas and actions that are supported with “good” reasons.

“Good” reasons hinge on ideas that are true or, at the very least, make sense and align with the other beliefs society regards as acceptable. On the other hand, reasons considered “less than good” include ideas that are false, unacceptable, unreasonable to believe, or in conflict with the other beliefs society holds as true or, at least, “acceptable.”

Most people see ourselves as moral agents, and furthermore, we often evaluate the behavior of others, especially when we regard behavior as particularly good or bad. It is important to keep in mind, though, that this discussion of the philosophical study of ethics does not advocate particular theories or standards; it seeks to understand the meaning of ethical concepts and the ethical theories that help define right and wrong. Our actions and behavior, after all, do not occur in isolation but rather in the context of society.

How does ethics impact me?

What does it mean to be a member of a community, to “belong” to the society in which you live? In response to such questions, philosophers propose theories about what ought to be; in contrast, social scientists (like anthropologists, sociologists, historians, psychologists and others) describe what is. Ethics explores what makes up moral actions for individuals and it is integral to how an individual relates to the community (the larger social group) to which they belong. A conception of “the good” is central to understanding what makes a society just, or fair, for its members.

One way people who study ethics view the relationship of the individual to society is the social contract theory. Social contract theory is the view that political structure and legitimacy of the state stem from explicit or implicit agreement by individuals to surrender specified rights in exchange for the stability of social order and/or for the protection of government. Social contract theory is “theoretical.” The “idea” of a contract is offered as an explanation or justification of a relationship between the individual and the larger society or government. Social contract theories demonstrate why members of a society would rationally find it in their best interests to comply with and uphold the principles and regulations of their society. A social contract theory attempts to justify a particular political system (a currently existing one or an ideal one) by showing why members of society would consent to it. Members of society freely relinquish something they value (for example, aspects of their freedom) in exchange for something else they also value (for example, a sense of security).

Human reason is a key element in social contract theories. First, the underlying view of human nature includes that we are rational beings and therefore can understand why and how regulations and principles make life better. Further, given that humans are rational, the contract itself needs to express what a rational person would agree to.

Social contract theories put forth by philosophers typically refer to contracts between a nation and its citizens. Consent to such contracts is meant to occur tacitly, or implicitly, by virtue of being a citizen of the state. (An exception to this might be the case of an immigrant becoming a naturalized citizen, and here, there would be an actual oath of compliance, or consent.) The social principles and political structure of a society that are established by its members’ consent come to represent that society’s standard for what is good, or just.

A Framework for Ethical Decision Making

The following framework was also designed by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. They note, “making good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision-making is essential. When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically without consulting the specific steps” (Velasquez et al 2021).

Identify the Ethical Issue

• Could this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group, or unevenly beneficial to people? Does this decision involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two “goods” or between two “bads”?
• Is this issue about more than solely what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?

Get the Facts

• What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the situation? Do I know enough to make a decision?
• What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are the concerns of some of those individuals or groups more important? Why?
• What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? Have I identified creative options?

Evaluate Alternative Actions

Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:

• Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Lens)
• Which option treats people fairly, giving them each what they are due? (The Justice Lens)
• Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm for as many stakeholders as possible? (The Utilitarian Lens)
• Which option best serves the community as a whole, not just some members? (The Common Good Lens)
• Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Lens)
• Which option appropriately takes into account the relationships, concerns, and feelings of all stakeholders? (The Care Ethics Lens)

Choose an Option for Action and Test It

• After an evaluation using all of these lenses, which option best addresses the situation?
• If I told someone I respect (or a public audience) which option I have chosen, what would they say?
• How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?

Implement Your Decision and Reflect on the Outcome

• How did my decision turn out, and what have I learned from this specific situation? What (if any) follow-up actions should I take?

How do I know if I’m right or wrong?

Several potential outcomes emerge when important ethical questions are asked. The questions don’t always result in a clear answer. They also  can cause people to come to certain conclusions that may be unnerving. Additionally, the answers that people often struggle with produce actions and outcomes that create obstacles to moving along with better ethical thinking and problem-solving.

The issue of blame:

At the root of blame is the shared realization that change is needed. Change is often scary and threatening. As individuals think about ethical issues, they are often confronted by their conscience or reason, prompting them to feel troubled by their thoughts or behaviors. When integrated with the need to enact some form of change, discomfort can cause people to feel unmotivated or agitated. It is probably safe to say that most humans do not like change, and this factor alone can cause uncomfortable situations or outcomes; when we add the topic of moral assessment, there is added pressure and stress.

The issue of obligation or duty:

Ethical issues naturally imply that the change required might dictate a strong sense of obligation that may cause people not to think and act unfairly. Think of a person who has a renewed view of an issue or problem and throws themselves completely into that new approach without realizing that that renewed perspective may not solve ethical issues. The complexities of obligation can create a crisis as people, in their new understanding, might be torn between loyalties to multiple viewpoints or viewpoints—thus causing even more potential dismay.

The issue of the emotional investment:

Ethical issues often carry with them inherent strong viewpoints and feelings that can surface and may cause individuals to avoid an accurate understanding of the outcomes present. This emotional investment may lead to false admiration for those involved in the decision or leaders who enact what is perceived to be the better moral decision or process. This can lead to an inaccurate result or view of the situation.

The ethical dilemma of not knowing the result that an ethical decision might produce:

How does one truly know that they are correct, or what we have come to think is the proper outcome will indeed yield that result? The prospect of this can be frightening for many people. The more we know how people react in circumstances linked to ethical tensions and outcomes, the better we identify these tendencies in ourselves and others and work to allay those fears. This is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider and why an ethics-based education is essential.

Ethics and Civic and Global Engagement

If ethics is about trying to understand what is right and wrong at individual and societal levels and determining actions within the  decision making process, it is important to be plugged into what’s going on in local, community, national, and international areas. That is, you have the opportunity to use your perspective, experiences, and problem-solving skills to suggest different ways for governments, organizations, and other individuals to engage with ethical dilemmas. Sometimes those ethical dilemmas are about putting others’ needs and wants over your own self interest. Think back to the flip-flops and snowstorm decision where your decision impacts you and your roommates’ ability to pay rent. By not thinking about the full consequences of wearing flip-flops in a snowstorm, you’ve impacted other people’s ability to thrive.

One way to connect ethics and decision making to real life situations is through civic engagement. Many people think civic engagement just equates to voting. Civic engagement is so much more than that. It is about taking action to shape the present and future through being interested in the well-being of yourself, the local community, and the nation. Civic engagement is not just about the way you think about yourself in relation to others. It is also about getting involved through volunteering, advocacy, and/or community projects. Specifically, civic engagement is about social responsibility through caring for others, fairness, civility, teamwork, and figuring out what’s right for the community.

Getting civically engaged improves college student’s’s resilience and well-being, increases school engagement and success, helps with stress management, and promotes a sense of connectedness (Civic Engagement, 2025). All of these benefit development as a college student and as a future member of the workforce. Civic engagement promotes communication and problem-solving skills. It develops practical experience through collaborative projects and generates a network of people to support you throughout your personal and professional development.

Just like the individual does not exist outside of society, one society, or put differently, nation, does not exist outside its relationship to other nations. Therefore, getting civically engaged can also prepare you for the globalized world in which we live. With the advancement of technology, people more than ever have quicker access to information and products that come from all parts of the world. Moreover, many businesses are global. For example, Apple products are designed in California but are made in China, and there are Disney parks in Florida, Japan, France, and Hong Kong. And so, being aware of the different ways you as an individual are impacted by happenings all around the world assists you in your ability to thrive in your day-to-day life.

For instance, one day at college you may encounter a perspective or an experience that differs from yours. Encountering differing perspectives can be difficult, especially when they directly challenge your own beliefs and values; however, it’s important not to become defensive when you are presented with different opinions. Being open to different perspectives not only makes everyone feel heard and understood, but also helps to broaden your worldview and makes you think outside the box. Being able to think outside the box allows you to connect new ideas and experiences that can help you in your chosen career field. You can see gaps in market research or design a new product or empathize with a patient, contributing to your value as a member of the workforce.

 

EKU Resources to get involved

Bobby Verdugo & Yoli Ríos Bilingual Peer Mentor and Tutoring Center aka “El Centro” (Library 106)

El Centro offers bilingual tutoring and mentoring for students interested in multilingual and multicultural community building and scholarship. Tutoring is offered in a variety of languages including Spanish, German, Japanese, etc. Additionally, El Centro offers tutoring in subject areas such as social work, public health, sciences, anthropology, sociology, etc. El Centro provides a space to apply the skills learned in language and culture classes in real-world settings through volunteering or service-learning community engagement.

El Centro also offers mentoring services where students meet once a week with a peer mentor. Each student is assigned a mentor based on major, academic, or personal needs. Within each mentoring session, students can receive help with navigating college, class advising, schedule building, networking, interview skills, email best practices, applications, essays, resumes, cover letters, scholarships, etc.

Center for Student Involvement (CSI)

The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is your key to unlocking your own exceptional Eastern experience. Whether you are wanting to learn more about student organizations and events, develop your leadership skills, participate in community service, or meet new people and make friends, the Center for Student Involvement is there to help.

Located in the Powell Student Center, the Center for Student Involvement fosters connection, collaboration, and community for all students. This central hub for involvement houses the departments of Student Life & First-Year Experience (SL&FYE), Community & Global Engagement (CGE) and Fraternity & Sorority Life.

Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (Powell Middle Floor)

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) offers a variety of services and opportunities for students who have served in the United States Military, including targeted tuition rates, priority registration, and adventure programming. OMVA also houses a VA certifying official who assists with the completion of important paperwork each semester. This office also facilitates a number of opportunities for Vets to connect with fellow Vets through peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring, adventure programming, and special workshops designed to meet the needs of our Vets. The staff also serves as advocates for our valued service members and their families.

Education Abroad Office (Crabbe Library Atrium, Room 225)

The Education Abroad office at Eastern Kentucky University helps students explore opportunities to study in other countries. Located in Crabbe Library Atrium (Room 225), the office is open Monday through Friday and offers weekly info sessions on Fridays at 3 p.m. Students can meet one-on-one with an advisor to learn about programs that fit their major, interests, and schedule. Whether you want to go abroad for a few weeks in the summer or a whole semester, the office can help you find the right program.

The office supports students every step of the way as they prepare to study abroad. They can help with things like applying for a passport or visa, and helping you book your flight. Advisors also help you figure out how the credits you earn abroad will integrate into your degree program, from general education requirements to major coursework, and even internships or student teaching abroad.

Worried about the cost? The Education Abroad office offers guidance on scholarships and financial aid that can help cover the cost of your program. They also help students apply for national scholarships and can share creative ideas for raising money, like fundraising. From start to finish, the Education Abroad Office is there to support you every step of the way so you can have a successful and enriching international educational experience.

EKU Registered Student Organizations

Find Registered Student Organizations who are involved in community service through Engage.

 

Summary

• Ethics is concerned with evaluation of human actions as right and wrong.
• Social contract theory is the view that political structure and legitimacy of the state stem from explicit or implicit agreement by individuals to surrender specified rights in exchange for the stability of social order and/or for the protection of government.
• Part of being a mature, rational individual in a society is being accountable for your decisions and actions.
• Having a method for ethical decision-making is essential.
• Several potential outcomes emerge when important ethical questions are asked and they do not always have a clear answer.
• Specifically, civic engagement is about social responsibility through caring for others, fairness, civility, teamwork, and figuring out what’s right for the community.

References

Civic Engagement for Students. (2025). Greater Good in Education. https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/civic-engagement-for-students/#tab__2

Attributions and Licenses

Parts of this chapter are adapted from the following sources:

“Chapter 2–Morality and Decision Making” from Ethical Decision Making © 2018 by Christopher Brooks,  licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Civic Engagement for Students. ( 2025, March 11). Greater Good in Education. https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/civic-engagement-for-students/#tab__2

“Ethics Overview” from Introduction to Philosophy © 2024 by Kathy Eldred, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

“Introduction” from Applied Ethics Primer © 2021 by Letitia Meynell and Clarisse Paron,  licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Introduction to Ethics © Lumen Learning by Manuela Gomez is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. (2021, November 8). A Framework for Ethical Decision Making. Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/

“6.1 The Individual and Society” from Introduction to Philosophy © 2024 by Kathy Eldred, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.