Within the PLUS ethical decision-making model, what is the significance of the 'Universal' filter?

Within the PLUS ethical decision-making model, the significance of the 'Universal' filter is to ensure that the decision aligns with fundamental ethical principles and values that are widely accepted as morally sound and applicable across different cultures and contexts. This filter requires decision-makers to consider whether the proposed action is consistent with universal principles such as honesty, fairness, respect for human rights, and the avoidance of harm. It encourages a broader ethical perspective, moving beyond immediate self-interest, organizational policies, or legal compliance to consider the wider impact of the decision on all stakeholders and society as a whole. By applying the 'Universal' filter, decision-makers can strive to make choices that are not only legal and compliant but also ethically justifiable from a global and humanitarian perspective, promoting ethical consistency and integrity.