Ethical Theories Flashcards
Divine Command Theory
The resolution dilemma is based upon religious beliefs
Natural Law
There are certain rights and conduct controlled by God, and no matter what a society or government does, those rights and law remain supreme
Ethical Egoism
It defines the right or acceptable behavior in terms of its consequences for the individual
Ethical Egoists
Believe they should make decisions that maximize their own self-interests
Ethical Egoism People
Adam Smith and Thomas Hobbes
Adam Smith Belief
Although people are self interested they are also rational
Enlightened Egoists
People who act to further the interests of others will ultimately further their own self-interest
Categorical Imperative Theory
It believes that individuals should evaluate their actions in light of the consequences that would follow if everyone in society acted the same way
Categorical Imperative Theory Factors
- The resolution doesn’t use human beings as a means by which others obtain benefits
- The resolution doesn’t use others in a way that gives a one-sided benefit
- The resolution is done for the right reason
Categorical Imperative Theory People
Immanuel Kant
Contractarians and Justice Theory
It states that if people imagine there are no existing rules, but that they don’t know how they will be affected by the decision’s outcome, they will choose the most fair and impartial resolution. While doing so they have on a veil of ignorance, so they don’t know if their actions will cause them to be a prince or a pauper.
Contractarians and Justice Theory People
John Locke and John Rawls
Individual Rights Theory
- Everyone has a set of rights
2. It’s up to the government to protect those rights
Individual Rights Theory People
Robert Nozick
Moral Relativists
You weigh the competing factors at the moment and then making a determination to take the lesser of the evils as the resolution
Moral Relativists Central Factor
The pressure of the moment and whether the pressure justifies the action taken
Virtue Ethics Theory
Using an acquired set of virtues to do what a person with good moral character would do
Virtue Ethics Theory People
Aristotle and Plato
Utilitarianism Theory
Using a cost/benefit analysis to determine which behavior provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Utilitarianism Theory People
Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
Utilitarianism Theory Cost/Benefit Analysis
You compare all the alternatives and choose the one that results in the greatest benefit to the most people
12 Ethical Dilemmas
- Taking things that don’t belong to you
- Saying things that aren’t true
- Saying things that are true, but misleading
- Buying influence or engaging in conflict of interest
- Hiding or divulging information
- Taking unfair advantages
- Committing acts of personal decadence
- Carrying out interpersonal abuse
- Allowing organizational abuse
- Violating rules
- Condoning unethical actions
- Balancing ethical dilemmas
Peter Drucker Theory
Above all do no harm
Warren Buffet Theory
Would I be okay with my actions being described on the front page of a newspaper that can be read by people close to me?
National Enquirer Test
You make up the worst possible headline and then reevaluate your decision
Wall Street Journal Model 3 Questions
- Am I in compliance with the law?
- What contribution does this choice of action make to the company, the shareholders, the community, and others?
- What are the short- and long-term consequences of this decision?
The 6 steps for analyzing ethical dilemmas
- List the facts of the case.
- List what we’d like to know and any assumptions that we’ve made about the case.
- List the primary and secondary people involved and how they are connected to the case.
- Come up with 3 resolutions for the case and tie them each to an ethical theory.
- List the costs, legalities, and impacts for each of the resolutions.
- Make your final recommendation for the case.
