Sensitivity is about being able to perceive the ethical dimensions inherent in a situation or to be able to perceive ethical problems in acting. Without awareness there can be no conscious response. This does not necessarily lead to unethical action; there may be processes in place to avoid the risk that are built into office practice for example. However, without awareness there can be no emotional or intellectual ethical response to the situation. An example of the central importance of sensitivity can be taken from perceptions of the compulsory wearing of the Star of David by Jews as enforced by the Nazi regime. Oliner notes that amongst those who did not aid Jewish people the wearing of the Star was more often viewed with indifference:

In contrast those who would act to help Jewish people often perceived the wearing of the Star of David as an ethical issue:

However, it was possible to regard the wearing of the Star as inconsequential and still act ethically (as awareness of injustice came from other facts) or to perceive the forced wearing of the Star as a wrong yet not act ethically (as sensitivity is only one of the four necessary ‘components’ of ethical action):