An ethical framework is a set of principles for judging actions and choosing what to do. It moves a recommendation beyond expediency by asking whether its likely consequences and use align with what is right, just, and valued by the affected community. section 9.1.3
In a data story, use an ethical framework to anchor the next step: the action invited after the audience has seen the evidence. A call to action should reflect the audience, local context, and shared values rather than only the analyst’s beliefs or experience. This grounding helps protect recommendations from misinterpretation, misuse, and unintended harm. section 9.1.1 section 9.1.3
Common frameworks emphasize different bases for a decision:
- Utilitarianism: choose the action that maximizes utility or happiness for the greatest number of people. section 9.1.3
- Deontology: follow moral rules and duties, treating some actions as inherently right or wrong regardless of consequences. section 9.1.3
- Virtue ethics: emphasize virtues such as courage, honesty, and compassion. section 9.1.3
- Care ethics: emphasize relationships, empathy, and responding to others’ needs. section 9.1.3
Apply a framework in two phases. First, generate a preliminary version of the proposed next steps, optionally using ChatGPT. Then revise it: check whether the wording genuinely reflects the chosen principles before adding it to the story. Generated text is a draft, not a substitute for judgment; suggested next steps require manual checking and refinement. section 9.1.3 section 9.4
Salmon aquaculture next steps
A story about rising salmon-aquaculture earnings proposes safety measures, improved aquaculture practices, and sustainable consumption. Under utilitarianism, the language can foreground public welfare, societal well-being, and overall happiness. Review those terms against the framework before publishing the recommendation, then adapt the same process for deontology, virtue ethics, or care ethics. section 9.2.7
Table 9.4 The outputs generated by ChatGPT for each ethical framework
|
Ethical Framework
|
Emphasize Salmon Safety Measures
|
Enhance Salmon Aquaculture Practices
|
Promote Sustainable Salmon Consumption
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Utilitarianism
|
Maximizing Public Welfare through Salmon Safety Measures
|
Improving Societal Well-Being via Enhanced Salmon Aquaculture Practices
|
Fostering Greater Overall Happiness through Promoting Sustainable Salmon Consumption
|
|
Deontology
|
Uphold Salmon Safety Measures
|
Adhere to Enhanced Salmon Aquaculture Practices
|
Advocate for Ethical and Sustainable Salmon Consumption
|
|
Virtue ethics
|
Cultivating Ethical Stewardship for Salmon Well-Being
|
Fostering Virtuous Aquaculture Practices for Salmon Health
|
Advancing Virtues through Sustainable Salmon Consumption
|
|
Care ethics
|
Prioritizing Salmon Well-Being: Implementing Safety Measures
|
Nurturing Salmon: Improving Aquaculture Practices with Empathy
|
Caring Consumption: Fostering Sustainable Salmon Choices
|
Compare how the same three salmon-aquaculture recommendations change when phrased through utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and care ethics. section 9.2.7
The framework does not dictate a generic action. It supplies a deliberate basis for shaping the resolution of a data story, whether that resolution asks for support, offers options, enables interaction, directs further learning, proposes a plan, or invites sharing. section 9.1.1 section 9.4
