The starting point
Ethical reflection asks whose interests are affected, what obligations apply, and what you might have overlooked. It rarely produces certainty from a single formula. Make the reasons for a decision visible so other people can question them.
Reflective Journaling: Exploring Your Values and Beliefs
Reflective journaling is a useful tool for examining your values, beliefs, and reactions to ethical challenges. By regularly reflecting on moral dilemmas—either hypothetical or from personal experience—you can gain insight into your own ethical framework and develop greater self-awareness.
Consider a situation where you witnessed someone being unfairly treated. Reflect on how you felt, what you thought was the right thing to do, and what you ultimately chose to do. Did you speak up, or did you stay silent? By revisiting these moments, you can explore your motivations, recognize patterns in your ethical reasoning, and think about how you might respond in the future.
Set aside time each week to write about ethical dilemmas you encounter, whether in your personal life, the news, or even in fictional stories. Reflect on your initial reactions, the possible actions you considered, and the values that influenced your thoughts.
Identify a dilemma: Write about a recent situation that involved an ethical choice.
Explore your feelings and thoughts: Note your emotional response and thought process.
Consider alternative actions: Reflect on what other choices you could have made.
Analyze your values: Ask yourself which values influenced your decision and why.
Put the idea in context
Identify key stakeholders: Consider who is affected by the decision and how.
Sources & further reading
- NIST: Generative artificial intelligence risk profilenvlpubs.nist.gov