In ethical decision making, what does motivation refer to?

• A. The reason why a person acted as they did
• B. The outcome of an action
• C. Whether the action is lawful
• D. Stakeholder influence

Answer: (A)

Motivation in ethical decision making is the intention behind an action—the reason someone acted the way they did. It focuses on what they hoped to achieve or how they intended to influence the situation. This matters because ethical judgment looks at why a decision was made, not just what happened afterward. Two people could cause the same result, but for different motives—one driven by genuine concern, another by self‑interest—and that difference in intent can change the ethical assessment. The outcome is about what happened, not why it happened; legality is about whether the action complies with the law, not the person’s motive; stakeholder influence concerns factors that shaped the decision, not the actor’s internal aim. The best answer is the reason why a person acted as they did.