DECISION PROCESSES
HARPS Method Summary*
The HARPS process is a general methodology for approaching
and solving problems of any nature. It divides the problem into
several distinct phases:
- Information phase. When first approaching a problem
it is necessary to get the "lie of the land." Oftentimes,
having accurate information can reduce a potential problem
down to nothing. So, it is worth the time to investigate the
problem before you try to solve it. You are not going to find
every piece of information you need to know.
- Issues phase. In this phase, questions are asked
about the information gained in the first phase. Are there
holes in the facts you have assembled so far? Is there data
missing that you may need? Is there data that is questionable?
Is there a term or concept that is unclear or controversial?
To answer these issues, you have several options such as possibly
doing further research to clarify the information or possibly
making assumptions. Both of these actions allow you to continue
on with the analysis and help in building a strong foundation
for the rest of the analysis.
- Analysis phase. This is the phase where you perform
any analysis or solution creation activity you wish to perform.
In ethics, the problems that are encountered are usually one
of two types. The first type of ethical problem encountered
is one in which there are two moral consideration which come
into conflict. The second type of problem usually involves
the drawing of a line between permissibility and impermissibility
of an action. Both types of problems will require you to return
to the issues and information phase in the process of performing
the analyses.
- Conclusion phase. In this phase, you examine the
results of all of the analyses you performed in the Analysis
phase and you come to a final conclusion for the problem.
In this phase, you tie up the loose ends and come to a final
resolution for your problem. This can be troublesome, since
it is rare for all of the analysis methods to agree. So, this
final phase is the place to negotiate a conclusion from the
solutions provided to you by the analyses. HARPS Method History
Texas A&M University has the premier Engineering Ethics
program in the nation. Dr. Michael Rabins and Dr. C.E. Harris,
Jr. began the program several years ago and now the Engineering
Ethics Course is a required course for all student engineers.
Donald Searing was at the time a teaching assistant in the
Engineering Ethics program. After several semesters of teaching
the students how to resolve ethical dilemmas, Mr. Searing
realized that while the text they were using hinted at a methodology
for problem solving, there was no formalized methodology to
speak of. Using his knowledge engineering skills and systems
experience, Mr. Searing proceeded to develop a formal model
for approaching and solving ethical problems. The methodology,
while not an algorithm in the strictest sense, contains both
a hierarchical data structure and a set of heuristics which
can be used to attack ethical problems in a highly structured
way. Mr. Searing christened the method the HARPS methodology.
The methodology was then refined in the process of developing
Ethos System, a software framework that implements the HARPS
methodology and renamed the HARPS Ethical Analysis Methodology.
*As cited on The
Ethics Center website
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