Often in life, you have undoubtedly been confronted with situations in which you had to balance two competing interests or decide between two apparently conflicting ethical demands. Here are some long-standing, broad-based ethical principles that help to deal with such situations.

Golden Rule: Do unto other as you would have them do unto you. Think about the effects of your actions, and then put yourself in the position of someone who would be affected.

Greatest Good/Least Harm: When choosing between actions, select the one that achieves the greatest good for the greatest number and that causes the least harm.

Kant’s Categorical Imperative: If the action is not right for everyone to take, then it’s not right for anyone to take. Think about what would happen if everyone acted as you propose to do.

Slippery-slope Rule: Actions that bring about a small acceptable change but that, if taken repeatedly, would lead to unacceptable changes, should not be taken in the first place. This is the Slippery-slope rule; be careful starting down a path because once you start, you may not be able to stop.

No "Free Lunch": Assume that all tangible and intangible objects belong to someone unless there is a specific statement otherwise. There is "no free lunch." If something created by someone else is useful to you, the creator deserves to be compensated.

In applying these principles, the following procedure can be helpful:

1. Review the facts of the situation.
2. Define the conflict or dilemma that is facing you. In doing so, you should attempt to clarify the values and principles at stake.
3. Identify the stakeholders involved. Stakeholders are all those people who your various courses of action might affect, who have an interest in your actions. They may include others employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, government regulators, even society as a whole.
4. Consider all options that you might reasonably take. By considering how different courses might affect the different stakeholders, you may be able to reach a decision that, though not satisfying the interest of all those involved, is acceptable to the majority.
5. Identify the potential consequences of each option.
6. Consider what those in the community around you might recommend or expect you to do. Would you feel comfortable with your action or decision if you significant others – such as your parents teachers, friends, or employer – became aware of it.
7. Do The Right Thing ! ! ! (added by fbp)