Facts

Knowledge is created within a cultural context or paradigm and therefore 'facts' are often no more than shared points of view. Be wary of 'obvious facts' and 'the Truth'.

Values

In addition to core universal values many people hold values based on a personal or collective philosophy, paradigm or worldview that may alter the ethical options available.

For example, sometimes people rate the intrinsic or inherent value of nature higher than its utilitarian value or usefulness to humans.

Values can be strongly influenced by fundamental assumptions underlying a worldview. Consider the following assumptions, which often go unquestioned:

• "humans are the planet's most important species"
• "technology will eventually solve all environmental problems"
• "all economic growth is good"
• "we have a responsibility to be caring stewards of the planet"
• "masculine rationality is better than feminine caring when making ethical decisions"
• "most of the universe is dead"

Worldviews

Different stakeholders involved in an ethical dilemma may hold one or more of the following philosophies, paradigms or worldviews - as may the people attempting to make an ethical decision.

• atomistic, positivistic
• materialistic, reductionistic
• scientific, religious
• modern, postmodern, integral
• eastern, western, indigenous
• systems, quantum
• feminist, naturalist
• deep ecologist, ecofeminist
• transpersonal, holistic
• and others...

It may be difficult for some stakeholders to admit to thinking and feeling within a worldview.