The Problem: The Case of the New Computers You have budgeted money to replace 20 of the computer terminals in your office. As the research is coming in, you notice that if you buy equipment which meets the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) standards, the cost will be about $24,000 less than if you buy equipment which meets proposed standards which were put together by an industry wide group trying to reduce carpal tunnel and other work-related injuries. These proposed standards have not yet been adopted and there are rumblings on the "hill" that the President does not support the new standards. You don't know whether or not carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem for your company, but you are trying to make a good decision for your staff.

Be Reasonable: Explore the Options (ANSWER EACH QUESTION SEPERATELY)

1. Components of the Practice Choose three options to analyze. You will analyze multiple options to help ensure that you choose a reasonable option to implement. After brainstorming with the leadership team, you have identified three options:

A. Buy computers which meet existing standards.

B. Buy computers which match the new, stricter standards.

C. Survey the employees. Replace computers at the higher standards for people who have a history of problems with carpal tunnel syndrome or other problems which the new standards will address. For the rest, replace computers with those which match industry standards.

2. Expectations of the Community Now -- what are the expectations of the community, the stake-holders, for a person who is excellent in this practice? Any option which does not meet the basic competencies is by definition an unethical option.

3. Core Virtues Next, considering your options, which one best meets the requirements of the core virtues: integrity, courage, justice, and civility?

4. Unity of Life Now, reflecting on the options, which one best meets the ethical actor's requirements for unity of life? Which one best exemplifies the standards of a life as a whole?

5. Core Commitments Finally, consider which option is most consistent with the ethical actor's core commitments. Which option has the potential to energize and transform both the ethical actor and the community?