Ethics

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

Determining right from wrong. Living a virtuous or rational life.

Question 2

Distinguish between values, morals, ethics and ethical principles.

Answer 2

Values – beliefs important to you.
Morals – beliefs related to right and wrong.
Ethics – conscious reflection on moral beliefs.
Ethical principles – turning moral beliefs to actions.

Question 3

How do personal and professional ethics differ?

Answer 3

Personal ethics: based on personal values, upbringing, family, culture
Professional ethics: from a formal system or set of rules adopted by a group.

Question 4

Name several personal and organizational influences on ethical decision-making.

Answer 4

Personal influences: values and morals.
Organizational influences:
* integrity
* professionalism
* teamwork
* ethical standards
* honoring others’ rights and responsibilities

Question 5

How can the many theories on ethics be loosely grouped?

Answer 5

• Virtue theories focus on the actor.
• Deontological theory focuses on the act.
• Utilitarianism theory focuses on the consequences.

Question 6

What are virtue ethics?

Answer 6

The central function of humans to lead a rational life that is defined as virtuous.

Question 7

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of virtue ethics.

Answer 7

Advantages: Allows doing bad things for the right reasons.
Disadvantages: Doesn’t explain how to know what is moral.

Question 8

What school of ethics concentrates on the act?

Answer 8

Deontological theory.

Question 9

Describe the advantages/disadvantages of the Deontological school.

Answer 9

Advantages: Defines what is moral and are good acts; it is your duty to be moral.
Disadvantages: Creates a paradox because you can never do anything wrong.

Question 10

How do Utilitarian’s make ethical decisions?

Answer 10

Utilitarian ethics is the pursuit of pleasure.

Ethical decision making is possible using a mathematical formula.

Question 11

Describe the advantages/disadvantages of utilitarian ethics.

Answer 11

Advantages:
Defines what is moral as what brings us happiness;
determine what is moral through basic math;
defines why you should be moral.

Disadvantages:
Ignores consequences;
happiness all the time is impossible.

Question 12

What are the inherent problems with these philosophical approaches?

Answer 12

We may not agree with the content;
we may not agree on the same set of human and civil rights;
we may not agree on what serves the ‘common good.’

Question 13

What should the goal of leaders be?

Answer 13

To make decisions that are ethically ‘right’ and beneficial to the organizational goals.

Question 14

What are the four decision-types? Define each.

Answer 14

1. Right/good decisions – ethically supportable and good for organizational goals.
2. Right/bad decisions - ethically supportable but do not immediately contribute to organizational goals.
3. Wrong/bad decisions – against ethical principles and detrimental for organizational goals.
4. Wrong/good decisions - against ethical principles but profitable to the organization.

Question 15

What are the five steps to making ethically-sound decisions?

Answer 15

1. Recognize an ethical issue.
2. Get the facts.
3. Evaluate alternative actions.
4. Make a decision and test it.
5. Act and reflect on the decision.

Question 16

In step one, what questions can you ask to decide if an ethical dilemma exists?

Answer 16

Is there something wrong personally, interpersonally, or socially?
Could the conflict, situation, or decision be damaging to people?

Question 17

What questions should be asked in step two?

Answer 17

• What are the relevant facts?
• What people have an important stake in the outcome?
• Have all stakeholders been consulted?

Question 18

How can you gather information in step two?

Answer 18

Combination of methods – interviews, group meetings, document review.

Question 19

What is the ‘Globe and Mail’ test?

Answer 19

If you had to explain your decision on television or to a journalist, would you be comfortable doing so?
Would the headline be positive about the actions taken by your organization?

Question 20

What can a Code of Ethics achieve in an organization?

Answer 20

acceptable behavior;
benchmark for self-evaluation;
high standards of practice;
framework for professional behavior;
mark of occupational maturity;
provides professional identity.

Question 21

Why should a code be tailor-made?

Answer 21

Needs to be specific to be effective.

Question 22

Why should employees be involved in creating the code?

Answer 22

People who are guided by the code should be actively involved for it to be meaningful and accepted.

Question 23

Who should be consulted?

Answer 23

Key stakeholders.

Question 24

Should the creation of the Code be outsourced?

Answer 24

Hiring a consultant can be useful, but they should not take over;
the Code should reflect your organization’s values.

Question 25

What is a sunset date?

Answer 25

a date for revising and refreshing your Code.

Question 26

What topics should be covered in a Code?

Answer 26

Conduct;
relationships with clients;
whistle blowing;
kickbacks;
conflicts of interest;
gifts;
privacy;
organization records;
outside activities.