MORAL, ETHICS, AND ETHICAL DILEMMA

Topic Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, students will able to:

1) explain ethical/moral dilemma through own experience sharing and how their personal values guide their ethical decision making.

2) explain the interactive relationship between business and society.

MY MORAL DILEMMA

Write an essay no longer than two pages Write an essay no longer than two pages

regarding your personal moral dilemma that you regarding your personal moral dilemma that you

have encountered in your personal life.have encountered in your personal life. (Be sure (Be sure

that you have moral dilemma rather than simply that you have moral dilemma rather than simply

a social issue. A moral dilemma is not always a social issue. A moral dilemma is not always

the same as a moral issue. Something may be a the same as a moral issue. Something may be a

moral issue for society but not a moral dilemma moral issue for society but not a moral dilemma

or issue for you, or vice versa.) Then, how you or issue for you, or vice versa.) Then, how you

deal with the moral dilemma. deal with the moral dilemma. Explain your Explain your

personal values which have guided you in personal values which have guided you in

dealing with the dilemma.dealing with the dilemma.

Based from your own experience on Moral Dilemma, what influent your

personal moral standards?

•• Moral standards are principles based on Moral standards are principles based on

religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs by religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs by

which judgement are made about good or bad which judgement are made about good or bad

behaviour. These beliefs can come from many behaviour. These beliefs can come from many

different sources:different sources:

Religion

Moral Compass Family

Friends

Education

Ethnic B’ground

Role Model/ Mentor

Media

HYPOTHETICAL CASE: MORAL DILEMMA

Assuming that you are the Dean of UniKL MIAT. Assuming that you are the Dean of UniKL MIAT.

One day, a single mother come to you crying in One day, a single mother come to you crying in

tears appealing for her son who has been tears appealing for her son who has been

suspended for 1 semester after got caught suspended for 1 semester after got caught

(unintentionally) bringing notes inside (unintentionally) bringing notes inside

examination halls. The suspension decision examination halls. The suspension decision

was justified after due investigation according was justified after due investigation according

to the University Rules and Regulations. But the to the University Rules and Regulations. But the

single mother claimed that her boy was a very single mother claimed that her boy was a very

good boy (citing an example that he was willing good boy (citing an example that he was willing

to go home during examination weeks to help to go home during examination weeks to help

his mother packing things for moving to new his mother packing things for moving to new

house). WHAT YOU WILL DO NEXT?house). WHAT YOU WILL DO NEXT?

Fundamental Questions of Individual Human Being

• Can we do “anything” and “everything” what we want to “anybody” in this world?

• How people live their lives according to a standard of “right” or “wrong”? Where do people look for guidance in deciding what is right or wrong or bad?

• How do people then interact with other members of their community or society as a whole who may or may not share the same ethical principal?

NOW….change all the words in RED font above with this word….BUSINESS..and re-answer the questions!

Fundamental Questions of Business Entities

• Can a business do anything what we want to anybody in this world?

• How businesses live its lives according to a standard of “right” or “wrong”? Where do businesses look for guidance in deciding what is right or wrong or bad?

• How do businesses then interact with other members of the business community or public society as a whole who may or may not share the same ethical principal?

You may find similar scenario in both as individual human being and as business entity since they lives in this same world! So, whatever career you will be in the future, you cannot run away from this dilemma.

Golden Rules of Morality and Ethics

“Speak the truth even though it is bitter”

“Speak the truth even though infront of a cruel kings ”

Definition: Moral & EthicsFind the definition of Ethics from the research article by Khalidah, Rohani, and Mashitah(2010). From those definition, infer the meaning of “Business Ethics”.

Tips: Look for1) Nikel et. al. (2008) @ INTRODUCTION2) Lilie (1971) @ INTRODUCTION3) Mauro et. al. (1999) @ INTRODUCTION4) Crane & Matten (2007) @ INTRODUCTION5) Wiley (1995) @ LITERATURE REVIEW[Find what are the “same” and what are “similar” among those definitions].

Definition: Moral & Ethics

Find the definition of Ethics from the research article by Khalidah, Rohani, and Mashitah (2010). From those definition, infer the meaning of “Business Ethics”.

Definition: ValueValues can be defined as those things that are important to or valued by someone/org. Example UniKL's core values - in this case, commitment, integrity, teamwork, innovativeness and excellence.

Difference between Moral & Ethics

Morals define personal character, while ethics stress a social system in which those morals are applied. In other words, ethicspoint to standards or codes of behaviours expected by the group to which the individual belongs. This could be national ethics, social ethics, company ethics, professional ethics, or even family ethics. So while a person’s moral code is usually unchanging, the ethics he or she practices can be other-dependent.

Diff. between Moral & Ethics (con.)

Example: A criminal defense lawyer. Though

the lawyer’s personal moral code likely finds

murder immoral and reprehensible, ethics

demand the accused client be defended as

vigorously as possible, even when the lawyer

knows the party is guilty and that a freed

defendant would potentially lead to more crime.

Legal ethics must override personal morals for

the greater good of upholding a justice system in

which the accused are given a fair trial and the

prosecution must prove guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt.

Cases

• Cases 1.1 : The Overcrowded Lifeboat

• Cases 1.2 : Sophie’s Choice

• Cases 1.3 : Husband’s Choice

Instructions:

1)Split into 6 groups. Two groups will take one case.

2)Answer the questions given.