Ethics…??? Relativism Egoism UtilitarianismDeontologism The 4 Concepts of Ethics

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?