Ethical analysis based on soft systems thinking

The literature on business ethics has had good coverage of ethical analysis in its field of study. Here I offer a version of ethical analysis approach based on Peter Checkland's soft systems methoddology (SSM) to address ethical dilemmas (re: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_dilemma):

Step 1: capture the ethical dilemma in the form of a rich picture
Step 2: develop a number of options that are considered as useful to alleviate the problem situation; these options should be formulated in the form of root definitions.
Step 3: subject the root definitions to CATWOE analysis
Step 4: develop conceptual models from these root definitions
Step 5: Reflect on these root definitions (and  corresponding conceptual models) and explore the problem situation again with these conceptual models to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation, the implications of adopting these root definitions, as well as to stimulate further creativity to address the ethical dilemma.
Step 6: Develop your response to the ethical dilemma based on your SSM-based ethical analysis and improved understanding of the problem situation with awareness of the implications of your endorsed ethical position.
Step 7: Learn from your impacts of your response and consider next move.

These ethical analysis steps follow closely the soft systems methodology of Checkland. In this case, what are the benefits of following this ethical analysis? First, this process makes use of our existing knowledge in Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Second, in Step 1, when constructing a rich picture that depicts the ethical dilemma, you need to carry a stakeholder analysis and note the specific concerns of various stakeholders. Third, in Step 3, when conducting CATWOE analysis, we need to make explicit the specific ethical criteria and corresponding underlying philosophical stances that represent the worldviews (i.e. the Ws in CATWOE) of of various root definitions.

I think it is useful not to reinvent the wheel but to use familiar systems methodologies to derive an ethical analysis approach. Such a soft systems-based ethical analysis approach is intended to deal with ethical dilemmas that inevitably possess tremendous soft complexity. The process can be employed in a personal self-reflection mode or as a collective learning process with a group of participants in a problem situation. Apparently, this SSM-based ethical analysis process is not intended to produce or discover an optimal solution to "solve" an ethical dilemma. Grounded on soft systems thinking (or critical systems thinking), it promotes holistic, critical and creative thinking in responding to such a dilemma. To apply this ethical analysis approach, you need to be familiar with the literature of business ethics and contemporary systems thinking.

References

1. Business ethics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_ethics
2. CATWOE analysis: http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/105917.aspx
3. Concepts of ethical analysis: http://www.ethicsscoreboard.com/rb_definitions.html
4. Ethical dilemma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_dilemma
5. On ethics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics
6. Philosophy of ethics: http://www.philosophyarchive.com/index.php?title=Philosophy_of_Ethics
7. Soft systems methodology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_systems_methodology
8. Stakeholder analysis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stakeholder_analysis
9. An academic article by Taylor and Moynihan (2002) on IT ethics and SSM: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7349/is_1_19/ai_n32012641/pg_5/