ethics…??? relativism egoism utilitarianismdeontologism the 4 concepts of ethics
TRANSCRIPT
Ethics…???
Relativism
Egoism
Utilitarianism
Deontologism
TheThe 44 ConceptsConcepts ofof
EthicsEthics
Concepts of Ethics
Developed by moral philosophers over generations
Used to distinguish ethical from unethical behavior
Each has problems
Relativism
There is no universal standard by which morality can be judged
What is correct for one society may be wrong for another
Ethics and morality are relative
THE SAUDI ARABIA CASE STUDY?
Relativism - Problems
There are no absolutes - murder, slavery, torture, discrimination is all OK
What is meant by a society?Sub-societies
Leads to conclusion - each person’s opinion is correct
Nothing that anyone does is morally wrong
Egoism
One ought to act in his or her own self interest
Ethical behavior is that which promotes one’s own self interest
Does not mean should not obey laws - only do so if in self interest
Egoism
AIRCRAFT FAULTY BRAKES CASE STUDY
Problem - Externalities associated with private actions - OK to dump toxic wastes as long as don’t get caught
Utilitarianism
The morality of an action can be determined by its consequences
Cost Benefit Analysis An action is ethical if it promotes the
greatest good for the greatest number
Utilitarianism Example
FORD PINTO CASE STUDY
Measurement Problems…
How do you quantify benefits and costs? How do you value benefits and costs? Can lead to unjust consequences Restrictions against the majority to protect a
minority is not utilitarian
RIGHTS & JUSTICE
Utilitarianism cant deal with either… ILL UNCLE CASE STUDY UNDESIRABLE LABOUR Vs CHEAP
GOODS CASE STUDY
BUT Utilitarianism also says…
Its not so much about greater good for greater number
Its about…whether your action meets correct moral standards (rule utilitarian)
RIGHTS & DUTIES
WALT DISNEY CASE STUDY
Concept of Right: Individuals entitlement to something
Legal Rights: limited to jurisdiction Moral Rights (Human Rights): based on
moral norms
MORAL RIGHTS
Tightly correlated with duties Provide individuals with autonomy and
equality in the free pursuit of their interests Provides a basis for justifying one’s actions
and for invoking the protection or aid of others
…Rights
Negative Rights Positive Rights Contractual Rights
Deontologism
Derived from the Greek word for Duty Actions are not justified by their
consequences. Factors other than good outcomes determine the rightness of actions
Utilitarianism Vs. Deontologism
Utilitarianism - The ends justify the means
Deontologism - It is the means which are important
Catagorical Imperative
Developed by Immuel Kant “I ought never to act except in such a way
that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law”
Are you willing to permit everyone to adopt the action?
Yes - Moral No - Immoral
Guidance in Dealing with People
People should never be treated as a means to an end, but as ends in themselves
To treat people as ends requires respect for persons
Reject slavery Deals with murder, rape, etc How to deal with employees
Examples
Is it Ethical to Rob Banks?
Is it Ethical to Give Everyone in this Class an A?
An economics professor stated he had never failed a single student before, but had failed recently an entire class.
His class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, after the Great Equalizer completes his plans.
The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.
The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
HENCE…..
What do you understand by this? How could we prevent this?
What Do You Think of Deontologism? Conflicts between duties Utilitarians argue that secretly appeal to
consequences to demonstrate the rightness of actions
Categorical Imperatives: Respect
“Always treat humanity, whether in yourself or in other people, as an end in itself and never as a mere means.”
Categorical Imperative:Publicity Always act in such a way that you would
not be embarrassed to have your actions described on the front page of The New York Times.
--Probably not Bill Clinton
Ethical Tests
What about you?
Most of us live by rules, obedience to which we take as a duty.– What are the most important rules you live by?– What were the most important rules in your
family?– What rules have you rejected as you have
gotten older?
Is It Legal Test?
Quadrant II
Ethical and Illegal
Quadrant IV
Unethical and Illegal
Quadrant I
Ethical and Legal
Quadrant III
Unethical and Legal
Ethical
Unethical
LegalIllegalCorporate
Decisions
Codification
Manifestation
Ethical Tests
1. Is It Legal?I Ethical - Legal
II Ethical - IllegalIII Unethical -
Legal IV Unethical - Illegal
I and IV Easy
II and III Difficult
Ethical Tests
2. Benefit Cost Test Do the benefits exceed the costs
to whomsoever they accrue?
3. Categorical Imperative Are you willing to allow
everyone to practice the proposed action or do you want to be a special case?
Ethical Tests
4. Light of Day TestWhat would be your reaction if theaction were brought out into the open
for public scrutiny?
5. Do Unto Others TestGolden Rule - If you would like others to do the same to you - passes the test
Ethical Tests
6. Ventilation TestSeek out others views. Discuss the 5
tests with them. If others feel it is OK - passes the test
Examples
Robbing a Bank
Driving Above the Speed Limit
Cheating on an Exam
Having affair with your boss
Ethical Dilemmas in Business
Conflict of InterestHave two interests - cannot
purse one without having negative impact on other
Two Types Private Interest Conflicts with
Corporate Business Interest Conflicts with Public
Conflict of Interest Mini Case
Personnel Director Brother - in - law out of work Lackluster performer Unemployment about to run out - will loose
house Sister asks you to recommend him for job What would you do?