Ideas & Ethics

A discussion can stall because its participants are answering different questions. One person may be describing what happened while another is arguing about what should happen next. Before adding another opinion, identify the question the group is trying to resolve.

Everyday ethical questions often arrive without a clear label. You might be deciding whether to share a private story, accept an unfair shortcut or correct a mistake that benefits you. A useful first step is to describe the choice without defending your preferred answer.