In the discipline of Applied Ethics, there are several different kinds of analytic frameworks that are useful in the process of ethical decision making. The "VCR" approach relies on the application of six basic concepts in ethics:

V

Values and Virtues

C

Consequences and Contingencies

R

Rights and Responsibilities

In a successful application of the VCR process, one raises pertinent questions when confronted with ethical issues, problems or dilemmas. These questions may be taken as steps in a VCR analysis and they include:

1

What values are embedded in this issue, problem, or dilemma?

2

What virtues should be exemplified by the main players in the issue, problem, or dilemma?

3

Has a stakeholder acted in such a way that good consequences are produced or did they act in ways that produced evil or harm?

4

Are there any contingencies involved in the issue, problem, or dilemma, and, if so, what impact will they have?

5

What responsibilities do the stakeholders have and how should they fulfill them?

6

What are the various rights of the stakeholders in the issue, problem, or dilemma?