MKT 08 (SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNANCE)

Topic - Business ethics

Lesson Objectives of the Day

Business ethics, ethical dilemma

Which one doesnt belong to the definition of ethics?A set of principles of right conductThe moral principles that govern a person's or group's behaviourThe branch of knowledge that deals with moral principlesThe study of general and fundamental problemsAll of the aboveNone of the above

ethicsA set of principles of right conductThe moral principles that govern a person's or group's behaviourThe branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles

Acting in an ethical way involves distinguishing between right and wrong and then making the right choice.

Business ethics are moral principles that guide the way a business behaves. The same principles that determine an individuals actions also apply to business.

Business ethics is the study of business situations, activities, and decisions where issues of right and wrong are addressed.

ethical dilemma or moral dilemma-complex situation that often involves an apparent mental conflict betweenmoral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing another. also called an ethical paradox.are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion.

How to make choice ethically impossible?

- abide by societal norms, such as codes of law or religious teachings

Ethical Dilemma Situations

if you could save 100 innocent children's lives by picking up a gun to kill one deranged and evil person. Would you do it?

You are an inmate in a concentration camp. A sadistic guard is about to hang your son who tried to escape and wants you to pull the chair from underneath him. He says that if you don't he will not only kill your son but some other innocent inmate as well. You don't have any doubt that he means what he says. What should you do?"

Trolley problem

2 views on Trolley problem

utilitarianview - obligatory to steer to the track with one man on it.non-participation view -moral wrongs are already in place in the situation, moving to another track constitutes a participation in the moral wrong, making one partially responsible for the death when otherwise no one would be responsible.Fat Man Variation on Trolley Problem

Discussion on Fat Man Variation on Trolley Problem

One clear distinction is that in the first case, one does not intend harm towards anyone harming the one is just aside effectof switching the trolley away from the five. However, in the second case, harming the one is an integral part of the plan to save the five.The Case of the Speluncean Explorers-legal philosopherFuller

The case involves five explorers who are caved in following a landslide. They learn via intermittent radio contact that, without food, they are likely to starve to death before they can be rescued. They decide thatsomeone should be killed and eatenso that the others may survive. They decide who should be killed by throwing a pair of dice.

Assignment

Summarize the story in your own words and find the moral dilemma inR v Dudley and Stephens casePlank of Carneades

Examples of workplace ethical dilemmasJill Elaine Hughes 2012Shady HR decisions - Managers are hiring, firing and promoting people, based on personal biasBending the rules abuse of company policies, Waste and theft - stealing office supplies, browsing the Internet and making personal calls.Breaking the law - supervisor demands that you do something you find unethical or even illegal, such as fabricating financial data or violating laws

Video for class viewing:1. Ethics in the Workplace2. Sophies Choice the class will be grouped and will discuss their reasons/justifications for their decision re this ethical dilemma