How do YOU decide what's right? (animal examples)

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Quiz Questions

1.
1. Which one of the following statements BEST represents your beliefs? (Pick 1)
- A.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on weighing out the possible results of the various alternatives for all who might be affected.
- B.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on following consistent principles that guide me across situations.
- C.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on consulting with others who can help me consider different beneficial perspectives.
- D.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on how it will affect me.
- E.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on treating others as I/they would want to be treated.
- F.
  When trying to decide what is right, I focus on what type of person I should be.
2.
2. Which one of the following statements BEST represents your beliefs? (Pick 1)
- A.
  What is right is to behave towards others in ways that we would like them to behave towards us.
- B.
  What is right is doing what I want regardless of what others may want.
- C.
  What is right is focusing on the good personal characteristics that should guide each of us.
- D.
  What is right is whatever is best for the largest number of individuals affected.
- E.
  What is right is respecting everyone’s rights.
- F.
  What is right is to gather other reasonable viewpoints so we can avoid our harmful biases.
3.
3. Which one of the following statements BEST represents your beliefs? (Pick 1)
- A.
  In this competitive world we just need to look out for ourselves.
- B.
  As long as someone is gathering a variety of reasonable opinions before making a decision they will make a more informed decision.
- C.
  We should each care about others as if they are ourselves.
- D.
  As long as someone is living in line with good values (e.g. compassion, responsibility, etc.) they are living well.
- E.
  If someone tries to do the right thing but it causes more harm than good, they still deserve moral credit for trying.
- F.
  Someone can try to do the right thing, but if it causes more harm than good, their intent does not really matter.
4.
4. Which one of the following statements BEST represents your beliefs? (Pick 1)
- A.
  We should not be unfair, dishonest or unkind.
- B.
  We should not do something that will cause more negative results than positive ones.
- C.
  We should not use others to accomplish our goals, no matter how positive our goals are.
- D.
  We should not just rely on our own thoughts and feelings about what we should do.
- E.
  We should not be concerned about others, but should just watch out for ourselves.
- F.
  We should not treat others in ways that we would not like to be treated.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Otter's Character
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This quiz was designed to help you better understand your main focus when deciding "What's the right thing to do?" in life, and leadership. It is not a personality assessment. We often use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain focus area. Your answers indicate that you focus on OTTER's CHARACTER (represented by Olly the Otter). When deciding what's right you tend to focus on the type of person that you think you should be (e.g. compassionate, fair, honest, respectful, responsible, etc).Approach Color: GREEN Why an Otter?Otters are known for being intelligent, sociable, adaptable and curious. You are curious about the various personal characteristics that make someone a good person. You are adaptable as you seek to exemplify theses traits. You are more interested in living in line with personal values than in set rules or calculating the results of specific actions. You care deeply about which personal characteristics you exhibit in order to be the type of person you think you should be. Like Olly, you may ask yourself: "What kind of person/otter should I be?" Main Consideration: When deciding what's right you tend to focus on some universal CHARACTER traits (e.g. compassion, fairness, honesty) that make someone a good otter/person.Question:Like Olly, you may ask yourself: "What kind of otter/person should I be?" You care deeply about which personal characteristics you exhibit in order to be the type of person you think you should be.Strengths: 1. CHARACTER TRAITS MATTER: Olly's friend got hurt recently and Olly went to visit them. They were so happy to see Olly and they asked "Why did you stop by to see me Olly?" Olly said: “You are my friend and I really care about you” (e.g. feelings of compassion). This seems very different than what two other friends said. One said: “I felt it was my duty to visit since I follow the rule/code that I should visit those who are suffering…” The other said: “I calculated the greatest good I could do today and this is it.” Olly can help us focus on the character traits that make someone a good person (e.g. compassion), personal qualities to strive for, not just the consequences of our actions or consistent codes/rules to follow.2. MOTIVATION: Olly helps us consider our personal motivation for being the people we should be (e.g. compassionate, fair, honest). Olly helps us to focus on important aspects of our moral/ethical motivation (e.g. friendship, love).3. RELATIONSHIPS: Olly was swimming one day and saw three other otters being attacked. To the right, Olly's good friend was being attacked. To the left, two otters that Olly didn't know were being attacked. Olly needed to act fast and only had time to go in one direction. Olly decided to help the friend even though Olly would be saving just one otter, instead of two. Because of Olly's focus on character traits (e.g. being a responsible friend) Olly decided that the personal relationship was a very important factor. Olly helps us to focus on being adaptable and taking into account personal relationships and situational differences when deciding what traits to exhibit, especially since not all situations are the same. (Note: other focus areas may see these as challenges, not strengths).Challenges:1. WHICH TRAITS? Olly doesn't clarify which character traits are the most important. Olly believes that it's important to be courageous. However, courage may not always be an ideal character trait. One could argue that the 9/11 terrorists showed courage by risking their lives for what they believed in, but courage for what purpose? To determine which traits are the most important, Olly may need help from friends with a different focus area (e.g. Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus, Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus).2. WHAT ACTION? Olly wants to be an honest otter, but also a compassionate otter. Olly sometimes feels stuck in situations where it's hard to be directly honest without hurting someone's feelings. For example, Olly’s friend spends a long time grooming and styling their fur just before a big date and asks: “Do you like how I styled my fur Olly?” Olly thinks it looks terrible, but there is no time to change it. Olly wonders: “... should I be directly honest with my friend, or say something that’s not completely true to protect my friend's feelings and confidence?” Olly doesn't help us clarify what to do when two important traits conflict. In these situations, Olly asks for help from friends who sometimes see things in a different way (e.g. Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus, Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus).Theoretical Background: Virtue Ethics (based on the wisdom of philosophers such as Aristotle, Elizabeth Anscombe and others).Conclusion... and what do I do now? Olly the Otter represents a very important and respected focus area (CHARACTER). However, it does not include everything. To balance out its challenges, Otter's CHARACTER should be combined with other focus areas, like Hawk's CODE and Wolf's CONSEQUENCES. Combining focus areas is called PLURALISM and can be very beneficial. Click on the "More Info" link below to learn more about Pluralism and about the other Animals, which represent different focus areas.Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if you only focus on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), you may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because you would not want to be held accountable if you were in their situation.2. Pick at least one other focus area (another animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.
2.
Hawk's Code
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This quiz was designed to help you better understand your main focus when deciding "What's the right thing to do?" in life, and leadership. It is not a personality assessment. We often use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain focus area. Your answers indicate that you focus on HAWK's CODE (represented by Hadley the Hawk). When deciding what's right you tend to focus on the question "What would happen if everyone did this?" You follow the principles that you would want everyone else to follow (Hawk's Code).Focus Color: REDWhy a Hawk?Hawks are known for their focus and for avoiding distractions. You focus on the consistent principles that should guide our actions.Main Consideration:When deciding what's right you tend to believe that it's best to stick to consistent principles or CODEs that should apply across situations, as opposed to calculating the results of specific actions.Question:Like Hadley, you may ask yourself: "Would I want this action made into a rule/code for everyone to follow?" You believe in the importance of protecting other's rights, especially individuals or small groups who might be left out by others.Strengths:1. INTENT MATTERS. Hadley and some friends were recently playing a game of high flying aerial tag. During the game they distinguished between a foul committed by mistake and an “intentional foul”, just as we do in many sports (e.g. basketball, soccer). Hadley helps us to remember the importance of distinguishing between hurting someone by mistake and hurting someone on purpose, just as we distinguish between involuntary manslaughter (killing someone by mistake) and premeditated murder. Either way, someone is hurt (or even killed), but Hadley helps us consider the intent of our actions (e.g. "what are we trying to do?"), not just what happens as a result.2. RIGHTS. Hadley heard about an animal attack that many believe was based on prejudice and intolerance of difference. Many animals were on the verge of rioting to show their anger, but no one knew who committed the attack. It was tearing the community apart. Hadley was part of a council of animals who were meeting to decide what to do. Some council members recommended finding a scapegoat (i.e. holding a random individual responsible) in order to prevent a riot where others would get hurt. Hadley stopped the group from finding a scapegoat by saying: "We must not use someone, even if finding a scapegoat would prevent further violence." Hadley helps us to consistently focus on respecting others’ rights (e.g. through consistent rules/codes for all) and not using others.Challenges:1. CODE CONFLICT. Two of Hadley's most important rules/codes are: “Keep your promises” & “Help others when they need you”. One day, Hadley promised to meet a young hawk to help them learn an important new flying technique. On the way there, Hadley found out that another friend was having a very bad argument and needed Hadley right then too. Hadley felt stuck and wondered: “... should I keep my promise, or help the other friend?” Hadley doesn't help us clarify what to do when two important rules/codes conflict. In these situations, Hadley asks for help from friends who see things from a different perspective (e.g. Olly the Otter's Character Focus, Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus).2. EXCEPTIONS. A few years ago, Hadley's family had a very difficult time and was starving. Hadley did not want to break the “never steal" code, but others disagree with Hadley's dedicated adherence to certain codes. Hadley believes that it is very beneficial to follow consistent codes of conduct that stand the test of time. However, one of Hadley's friends strongly believes that exceptions exist for most, if not all of Hadley's rules/codes. This friend encourages Hadley to focus more on the consequences of actions (e.g. it's OK to steal to save someone from starving), since there can be exceptions for the codes that Haley chooses to follow.3. MORE THAN CODES. Hadley's friend was injured recently. Hadley went to visit. The friend was so happy to see Hadley and asked "Why did you stop by to see me, Hadley?" Hadley said: "I asked myself 'what would I want everyone to consistently do in this situation?' and I determined that I should stop by..." This seems very different than what another friend said when explaining why they were visiting: “You are my friend and I really care about you” (e.g. feelings of compassion). There seems to be more to life than codes/duty alone. A friend encourages Hadley to focus more on the type of hawk that Hadley wants to be, not just the codes that Haley chooses to follow.Theoretical Background: Deontological Ethics (based on the wisdom of philosopher Immanuel Kant and others).Conclusion... and what do I do now?Hadley the Hawk represents a very important and respected focus area (CODE). However, it does not include everything. To balance out the challenges above, Hawk's CODE should be combined with other focus areas, like Otter's CHARACTER and Wolf's CONSEQUENCES. Combining focus areas is called PLURALISM and can be very beneficial. Click on the "More Info" link below to learn more about Pluralism and about the other Animals, which represent different focus areas.Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if you only focus on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), you may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because you would not want to be held accountable if you were in their situation.2. Pick at least one other focus area (another animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.
3.
Wolf's Consequences
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This quiz was designed to help you better understand your main focus when deciding "What's the right thing to do?" in life, and leadership. It is not a personality assessment. We often use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain focus area. Your answers indicate that you focus on Wolf's CONSEQUENCES (represented by Whitley the Wolf).Focus Color: BLUE Why a Wolf?Wolves are known for their dedication to what's best for the larger group (or pack) as well as their adaptability to changing circumstances. You calculate how to adjust your actions in order to create the best results for the greatest number. You go even further than the average wolf in order to consider the impact on society as a whole, not just the impact on yourself or your pack/group.Main Consideration:When deciding what's right you tend to focus on getting good results or CONSEQUENCES that benefit as many as possible.Question:Like Whitley, you may ask yourself: "What will bring the best results and least harm for all affected?" You believe in the importance of calculating the impact BEYOND yourself and your pack (or "in-group").Strengths: 1. CONSEQUENCES MATTER. A few years ago, Whitley's wolf pack had a very difficult time, and was starving. Whitley was weighing the pros and cons of stealing some food for the pack. Whitley considered the impact on those being stolen from, not just Whitley's pack. A friend said that Whitley should “never steal." Whitley believes that the "never steal" code often ends up with the best overall results for the greatest number (not just Whitley's pack), but in this situation, Whitley reasoned that it was OK to steal. Whitley calculated that saving the pack would create the greatest overall good (e.g. saving lives and not significantly hurting those Whitley was stealing from). Whitley helps us consider the overall consequences of our actions for the greatest number, not just sticking to consistent codes of conduct like never steal.2. IMPARTIALITY. Whitley had to help choose someone for a special job in the wolf pack. Whitley's good friend really wanted the job, and Whitley really wanted to help this friend. However, Whitley knew that another wolf was more qualified and would do a better job, which would create better consequences for all. Whitley advocated for the other wolf instead of the good friend. Whitley helps us consider the overall consequences of our actions for the greatest number, not just helping those with whom we have close relationships.Challenges:1. RIGHTS VIOLATIONS (or "tyranny of the majority"). A wolf with a disability is born into Whitley's pack. Whitley calculates that this wolf would eventually slow the pack down and cause negative consequences for the overall group. Whitley believes that it's essential to focus on results for the greatest number and therefore considers moving the pack on, without the wolf with the disability. Whitley's friend argues that just focusing on overall results can lead to violating someone's rights and that this young wolf has rights, just like any other wolf. To focus on rights, especially those of individuals or smaller groups, Whitley sometimes needs help from friends with a different focus area (e.g. Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus).2. SOMETHING MORE. Whitley's friend was injured recently. Whitley went to visit. The friend was so happy to see Whitley and asked "Why did you stop by to see me, Whitley?" Whitley said: “I calculated the greatest good I could do today and this is it.” This seems very different than what another friend said when explaining why they were visiting: “You are my friend and I really care about you” (e.g. feelings of compassion). There seems to be more to life than just calculating consequences. Friends (e.g. Olly the Otter and Bailey the Bear) encourage Whitley to focus more on the type of wolf that Whitley wants to be, not just the consequences of various actions.3. SPECULATION. Whitley calculates that the pack could get more food, and be more successful overall, if it expands it's territory. Whitley also estimates that because of the positive impact of the pack, this will be good for the overall health of the environment too (i.e. greatest good for the greatest number). However, Whitley does not realize that there is a neighboring wolf pack whose territory they would be crossing into, leading to more fights, and worse overall conditions for everyone involved. Sometimes, Whitley's speculation about future consequences can be very wrong. Whitley sometimes needs help from friends with a different focus area (e.g. Olly the Otter's Character Focus, Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus).Theoretical Background: Consequentialist Ethics (based on the wisdom of philosophers such as John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham).Conclusion... and what do I do now? Whitley the Wolf represents a very important and respected focus area (CONSEQUENCES). However, it does not include everything. To balance out the challenges above, Wolf's CONSEQUENCES should be combined with other focus areas, like Otter's CHARACTER and Hawk's CODE. Combining focus areas is called PLURALISM and can be very beneficial. Click on the "More Info" link below to learn more about Pluralism and about the other Animals, which represent different focus areas.Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if you only focus on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), you may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because you would not want to be held accountable if you were in their situation.2. Pick at least one other focus area (another animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.
4.
Bear's Care
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This quiz was designed to help you better understand your main focus when deciding "What's the right thing to do?" in life, and leadership. It is not a personality assessment. We often use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain focus area. Your answers indicate that you focus on Bear's CARE (represented by Bailey the Bear).Focus Color: YELLOW (GOLD)Why a Bear?Bears are known for being nurturing and protective. You care deeply about treating others well.Main Consideration: When deciding what's right you tend to focus on treating others as you would like to be treated, you CARE enough to put yourself in other's shoes (or paws). You go even further than the average bear in order to care for those beyond your own family and friends.Question: Like Bailey you may ask yourself: "How can I treat others as I'd like to be treated?" You believe in the importance of trying to see things through someone else's viewpoint.Strengths:1. EMPATHY. Bailey was catching salmon at a prime spot in the river with a group of other bears. A new bear came over and wanted to catch salmon too. No one made an effort to welcome or make room for the new bear, even though there was plenty of room, and plenty of salmon. Bailey thought “how would I want to be treated if I were that new bear” and decided to make room and welcome them. Bailey can help us focus on empathy, and on how others would want to be treated.2. SELF-RESTRAINT. Bailey's friend stole some food. In order to protect themself, the friend lied and told others that Bailey did it. Bailey was very upset. Bailey initially thought "maybe I should do the same to them, to show them how it feels." Bailey took some time, thought some more, and decided that "even though they treated me like that, I would not want to be treated in that way if I were them, so I won't retaliate." Bailey can help us focus on self-restraint.Challenges: 1. SPECULATION. Sometimes, Bailey's speculation about how others want to be treated can be very wrong. Some want direct feedback without any sugarcoating (Bailey calls it "honey-coating it") and they get upset about wasted time. They say "just tell me directly that I'm annoying you and let's move on, I can take it." Others prefer to be comforted and reassured with some positive feedback before any critiques. When a critique comes too quickly, they say "you really hurt my feelings". Even though Bailey asks whenever possible, Bailey is not always aware or able to find out how others want to be treated. This is especially true when decisions affect many others, including those Bailey doesn’t know well. To help in these situations, Bailey sometimes consults with friends with a different focus (e.g. Elly the Elephant's Consult Focus).2. JUSTICE DENIED. One day, Bailey needed to decide what to do about someone who was having a very negative influence on Bailey's group of friends. This group member was consistently very rude and disruptive, and they waited for everyone else to do all the work. Since Bailey focuses on “how would I/they want to be treated?” Bailey decided to let it go and not confront them since that's what Bailey would want if the roles were reversed. Bailey cares so much about those who act irresponsibly that Bailey doesn't always hold them accountable for their bad behavior (Bailey often wouldn't want to be held accountable either). Bailey's focus on care for others can sometimes lead to a lack of fairness/justice. Sometimes Bailey needs help from friends with a different focus area (e.g. Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus).Theoretical Background: Golden Rule or Care-based Ethics (based on the wisdom of Carol Gilligan, Confucius and others).Conclusion... and what do I do now?Bailey the Bear represents a very important and respected focus area (CARE). However, it does not include everything. To balance out the challenges above, Bear's CARE should be combined with other focus areas, like Wolf's CONSEQUENCES and the Elephant CONSULTant. Combining focus areas is called PLURALISM and can be very beneficial. Click on the "More Info" link below to learn more about Pluralism and about the other Animals, which represent different focus areas.Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if you only focus on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), you may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because you would not want to be held accountable if you were in their situation.2. Pick at least one other focus area (another animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.
5.
Elephant Consultant
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This quiz was designed to help you better understand your main focus when deciding "What's the right thing to do?" in life, and leadership. It is not a personality assessment. We often use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain focus area. Your answers indicate that you focus on the Elephant CONSULTant (represented by Elly the Elephant).Why an Elephant?Elephants are known for being intelligent and having a great memory. They are also know to look out for one another. You value consulting with others to come to the best possible solution. The "elephant in the room" (i.e. obvious problem that we often do not want to talk about) is that we each need to consult with others in order to consider different perspectives and counteract our harmful biases.Approach Color: GREY (SILVER)Main Consideration:When deciding what's right you tend to focus on CONSULTing with others to get diverse perspectives in order to avoid harmful biases.Question: Like Elly you may ask yourself: "Who will help me consider diverse perspectives?" You believe in recognizing and challenging your own biases.Strengths:1. OTHER PERSPECTIVES. Elly, intending to show an elephant from across the world that Elly cares most about personal characteristics, says: “I don’t distinguish between African Elephants and Asian Elephants. We are all the same!” However, after consulting with a wise mentor, Elly realizes that this statement was actually hurtful to the other elephant because it ignored some very important aspects of the other elephant's life and experiences. By focusing on consulting with others, Elly helps us see diverse perspectives more clearly.2. AVOID BIASES. Elly has to help choose someone for a special job in the herd. Elly's good friend really wants the job, and Elly thinks "I can be objective." After consulting with another friend, Elly realizes "I am fooling myself, I would be biased." Elly reminds us to consult with others who are trustworthy so that we can become more aware of our own harmful biases, including self-deception. By understanding that we are all biased in some way, and focusing on different viewpoints, Elly helps us see things from different angles.Challenges: 1. OTHERS’ BIASES. Elly consults with a mentor about how to distribute some food in a fair/just way. Elly does not realize that this mentor has negative feelings about certain individuals and groups. The mentor has biases against those with disabilities and different beliefs. Elly must be very careful about who to consult with, since others have harmful biases as well. It can help if Elly consults with those who incorporate well-respected focus areas that have stood the test of time (e.g. Olly the Otter's Character Focus, Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus, Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus, and Bailey the Bear's Care Focus).2. IMPLEMENTATION. Food is in short supply. Elly has time to consult with three trusted mentors about how to distribute the available food to the group in a fair/just way. One says “split the food equally across the group.” The second says “give more to those who have had the greatest struggles in the past.” The third says “give more to those who have worked the hardest." Elly is not sure how many perspectives to consider and what to do when they provide conflicting advice. There are no easy answers, but it can help if Elly consults with those who incorporate well-respected focus areas that have stood the test of time (e.g. Olly the Otter's Character Focus, Hadley the Hawk's Code Focus, Whitley the Wolf's Consequences Focus, and Bailey the Bear's Care Focus).Theoretical Background: Psychology of Decision Making, Behavioral Economics and Behavioral Ethics (based on the wisdom of Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman and others).Conclusion... and what do I do now? Elly the Elephant represents a very important and respected focus area (CONSULT). However, it does not include everything. To balance out the challenges above, the Elephant CONSULTant should be combined with other focus areas, like Bear's CARE. Combining focus areas is called PLURALISM and can be very beneficial. Click on the "More Info" link below to learn more about Pluralism and about the other Animals, which represent different focus areas.Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if you only focus on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), you may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because you would not want to be held accountable if you were in their situation.2. Pick at least one other focus area (another animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.
6.
Egoism's Mirror
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This quiz was designed to help you identify what you see as good or right in leadership, and life in general. It is not a personality assessment. We each may use a combination of multiple perspectives, however most of us lean towards a certain viewpoint. Your answers indicate that you lean towards an EGOISM approach, represented by a mirror.Approach Color: DARK BLUEMain Consideration:When deciding what's right you tend to focus on an EGOISM approach that is most concerned with how things affect you.Question: You may ask yourself, represented by the mirror: "How will this benefit me?" You believe in the importance of doing what you want.Strengths:Egoism can remind us that we do have some responsibility to look out for ourselves and we may know what will benefit us better than others will. We may need to stand up for ourselves or even protect our own lives sometimes.Challenges:Egoism seems to support doing some terrible things (e.g. cheating, stealing) as long as they benefit the self. Also, why is one of us any more important than others of us? Don't we all have the capacity to experience happiness as well as suffering? Egoism doesn't provide solutions for conflicts between people so we must look to other approaches for help...Theoretical Background:A much criticized philosophy called Ethical Egoism.Conclusion... and what do I do now?EGOISM is NOT a highly respect approach. It can be seen as a type of CONSEQUENCES approach that only focuses on results for the self. It has some important lessons (see above), but to be ethical we must look beyond ourselves and consider other approaches like Otter's CHARACTER, Hawk's CODE and Wolf's CONSEQUENCES. Click on the link below for more information and to see the descriptions of the animals that represent the other approaches!Next Steps:1. Remind yourself of the strengths and challenges of your main focus animal/color or mirror. This can help you anticipate benefits and identify potential problems down the road. For example, if someone only focused on the Golden Rule (Bear’s Care focus: yellow/gold), they may not hold someone accountable for their behavior because they would not want to be held accountable if they were in the other person's situation.2. Pick one other focus area (an animal/color) to read more about (see take5.gmu.edu/animals/). This can help you better understand the strengths and challenges of different decision-making strategies and help you see the benefits of uniting the focus areas (“Unite to light the way”) since they can counteract each other’s challenges.3. Use the Take5 card (take5.gmu.edu/ethics-card/) to help you make well-balanced decisions (individually or in groups). Print it out or email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a card. Research shows that we all need reminders to make more ethical decisions. 4. Request a workshop. Email nlennon@gmu.edu to request a workshop to better understand these resources.

How do YOU decide what's right? (animal examples)

Discover which animal/color best represents your FOCUS

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