Discussions about ethics today center around two key concepts: values and compliance.  Yet while these concepts are to varying degrees important, neither provides a consistent, effective approach because neither cuts to the core of what ethical decision-making really is. Ethics is about making the right choice in a particular situation - sometimes between good and bad, sometimes between a higher and a lesser good, and sometimes even between a lesser and a greater bad. 

Given such complexity, ethical action is best guided not by an idealistic statement of values or a cold list of do's and don'ts.  Ethical action is best guided by a habit of thought that seeks to rightly interpret and act upon the distinct reality of each and every situation; by a habit of thought that seeks order of both importance and sequence; by a habit of thought which properly relates means and ends.  In short, ethical action is best guided by a habit of priority thinking.