The basic idea of ethics consultation

In ethically difficult situations, we cannot simply find "the one" right or false answer and there is no plain "black-or-white" pattern but lots of shades of grey. In these situations, we are faced with two or more options, each of which is more or less "good" or "flawed". How should we then decide?


Deliberation is a key method to reach ethically sound decisions under these circumstances: we usually consult colleagues, experienced coworkers, good friends, and other people we trust.


When an external, substantial or methodological, input is needed, a professional ethics consultation may be indicated. Such an ethics consult is no philosophical debate club discussing hypothetical concepts. Instead, ethics consultation helps the stakeholders in reaching a decision that is feasible, helpful, and effective under given circumstances and specific restraints.

Areas of ethics consultation

Ethics consultation may be useful in following areas: