Definition
The Moral Permissibility Model is a framework used to determine whether a given action is “allowable” within a specific ethical system. It distinguishes between actions that are obligatory (must be done), permissible (may be done), and forbidden (must not be done).
Why It Matters
Without a clear model for permissibility, organizations oscillate between paralyzing caution and reckless risk-taking. A formal framework provides the ‘rules of engagement’ that allow for bold action while ensuring that red lines are never crossed.
Core Concepts
- Deontological Constraints: Rules that forbid certain actions regardless of their consequences (e.g., “Do not lie”). In this model, an action is impermissible if it violates a core rule.
- Consequentialist Calculation: An action is permissible if its total outcome is better than (or equal to) any other available action.
- The Veil of Ignorance (Rawls): A method for determining permissibility by imagining you do not know which person you will be in the resulting society. If you would agree to the action from behind the veil, it is permissible.
- Moral Uncertainty: When we are unsure which moral theory is correct, permissibility may be determined by weighing the “expected moral value” across multiple theories.