Transcript Slide 1

Indiana Wesleyan University
Ethics Presentation
Thomas N. Davidson, J.D.
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Ethical Models
Deontological ethics or deontology
(Greek: Deon meaning obligation or duty)
is a theory holding that decisions should
be made solely or primarily by considering
one's duties and the rights of others. If the
act is good, then ethical even if bad
outcome and vice versa.
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Ethical Models
Consequentialism (Teleological Model)
refers to those moral theories that hold
that the consequences of a particular
action form the basis for any valid moral
judgment about that action. Thus, on a
consequentialist account, a morally right
action is an action which produces good
consequences. The act may look bad, but
if good result, then ethical.
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Ethical Models
Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine that the
moral worth of an action is solely
determined by its contribution to overall
utility.
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Ethical Models
The Kantian-Utilitarian Principle emphasis
doing the most good at the expense of the
least amount of people. It recognizes that
there may be a means to an end. But it is
only ethical if as few people as possible
are treated as means to the end that
brings good the greater number.
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Ethical Models
Egoism is belief that one ought to do what
is in one's own self-interest, although a
distinction should be made between what
is really in one's self-interest and what is
only apparently so. What is in one's selfinterest may incidentally be detrimental to
others, beneficial to others, or neutral in its
effect.
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Ethical Models
Altruism is an ethical doctrine that holds
that individuals have an ethical obligation
to help, serve, or benefit others, if
necessary at the sacrifice of self interest.
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Ethical Models
The ethic of reciprocity or "The Golden
Rule" is a fundamental moral principle
found in virtually all major religions and
cultures, which simply means "treat others
as you would like to be treated." It is
arguably the most essential basis for the
modern concept of human rights. Principal
philosophers and religious figures have
stated it in different ways.
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The Golden Rule
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of
thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the
LORD." — Moses (ca. 1525-1405 BCE) in the Torah Leviticus 19:18
"This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not
have them do unto you." from the Mahabharata (5:15:17) (ca.
500BCE)
"What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others." —
Confucius (ca. 551–479 BCE)
"What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man." — Hillel (ca. 50
BCE-10 CE)
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." — Jesus (ca.
5 BCE—33 CE) in the Gospels, Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31, Luke
10:25
"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you." — Muhammad (c. 571 –
632 CE) in The Farewell Sermon.
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Ethical Models
Religion: conform to God’s will.
Codified Ethics: formal written rules.
Natural Law: what is good is that which is
natural.
Ethics of Care: meet the needs of those
concerned.
Ethics of Virtue: conform to the Golden
Mean.
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Golden Mean
Area
Fear
Pleasure
Money
Anger
Truth
Defect
Mean
Excess
Coward Courage Reckless
Insensitive Control Indulgence
Stingy
Generous Extravagant
Apathy Gentle
Hot-head
self-dep. Truthful Boastful
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Business Ethics
Business ethics is a form of the art of
applied ethics that examines ethical rules
and principles within a commercial
context, the various moral or ethical
problems that can arise in a business
setting, and any special duties or
obligations that apply to persons who are
engaged in commerce.
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Business Ethics: Competing Views
Obey the law is enough.
Social Responsibility (Obligation beyond
just following laws to pursue long-term
goals that are good for society).
Exclusive Benefit Rule.
Free Market will ensure public benefit.
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Business Ethics: Practices
Price Fixing (secretly conspiring to keep prices high).
Manipulation of Supply (conspiring to drive up prices).
Exclusive Dealing Agreements (retailer agrees not to
purchase from others or sell outside of a certain area).
Tying Agreements (supplies on condition that buyer
agrees to purchase other goods).
Retail Price Maintenance (supplies only to retailers who
agree to sell at same price).
Price Discrimination (charging different prices to different
buyers to drive out competition).
Refusal to deal.
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Business Ethics: Views
Do nothing.
Antitrust.
Regulation.
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Business Ethics: Remedies
Free Markets.
Contracts.
Duty to comply with claims and assertions.
Duty to disclose defects.
Duty to not misrepresent.
Duty to not coerce.
Due Care.
Strict Liability.
Implied warranty of merchantability.
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Consumer Rights
TO:
Be informed.
Choose.
Safety.
Be heard.
John Kennedy, 1962
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Apologia
Act or omission.
Cognitive Dissonance.
Rationalization that transforms the act or
omission to being ethical.
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term
which describes the uncomfortable tension that
comes from holding two conflicting thoughts at
the same time.
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Apologia
I didn’t get anything for it.
It wasn’t illegal.
He made me do it.
He had it coming.
Everyone else is doing it.
If I didn’t some one else would have.
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Ethical Judgment Analysis
Free will
Effects to
others
Motive
Model
Act or Omission
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Tort Ethical Analysis
Likelihood of Harm + Gravity of Harm
<>
Cost to reduce or eliminate the risk
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Gravity of Harm or Good
Intensity – strength of pain or pleasure.
Duration – how long it lasts.
Certainty – how sure we are of outcome.
Propinquity – how soon the pain or pleasure
starts.
Fecundity – probability the pain or pleasure will
be followed by more pain or pleasure.
Purity – probability the pain or pleasure will be
followed by more of the same.
Extent – the number of people effected.
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Ethical Problem Solving
Consider:
Benefit and harms caused by each alternative;
Which alternative;
1. Best respects moral rights.
2. Best promotes common good.
3. Does not discriminate or shows favoritism.
4. Best promotes virtues.
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Things to consider
Relativism: What is good or immoral
changes over time.
Absolutism: What is wrong is always
wrong.
Situational Ethics. I choose which model
of ethics to follow depending on the
circumstances.
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Judeo Christian Model of Ethics
Holiness
Justice
Love
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Holiness
Devotion to God and ethical purity.
Zeal for God.
Purity reflects God’s moral perfection
Accountability: reward for good and
punishment for bad.
Humility: we realize how short from God
we fall.
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Justice
Rights and Duties.
Due Process.
1. Procedural.
2. Substantive.
Merit: cause and effect.
Contractual; work harder get more than others.
Equal protection.
Avoid Harshness.
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Love
Relationships.
Empathy.
Mercy.
Sacrifice of rights.
Balance with your rights and needs.
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