You are here

Reversibility Test

9 January, 2015 - 09:41
Available under Creative Commons-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/3d8499e9-08c0-47dd-9482-7e8131ce99bc@11.15
  1. Set up the test by (i) identifying the agent, (ii) describing the action, and (iii) identifying the stakeholders and their stakes.
  2. Use the stakeholder analysis to identify the relations to be reversed.
  3. Reverse roles between the agent (you) and each stakeholder: put them in your place (as the agent) and yourself in their place (as the one subjected to the action).
  4. If you were in their place, would you still find the action acceptable?

Cross Checks for Reversibility Test (These questions help you to check if you have carried out the reversibility test properly.)

  • Does the proposed action treat others with respect? (Does it recognize their autonomy or circumvent it?)
  • Does the action violate the rights of others? (Examples of rights: free and informed consent, privacy, freedom of conscience, due process, property, freedom of expression)
  • Would you recommend that this action become a universal rule?
  • Are you, through your action, treating others merely as means?

Pitfalls of the Reversibility Test

  • Leaving out a key stakeholder relation
  • Failing to recognize and address conflicts between stakeholders and their conflicting stakes
  • Confusing treating others with respect with capitulating to their demands ("Reversing with Hitler")
  • Failing to reach closure, i.e., an overall, global reversal assessment that takes into account all the stakeholders the agent has reversed with.