Transcript Ethics of interdependence

Ethical Considerations
Ethics
What do we mean by “ethics” or
“unethical”?
Motivations to behave unethically:
– Personal gain, especially power
– Competition
– Restoration of justice or fairness
What is “fairness?”
Some Ways to Behave Unethically
Selective disclosure &/or
misrepresentation to others
Deception
False threats or false promises
Provide false information (lie)
Inflict intentional harm on the other party
Selective disclosure or misrepresentation
to constituencies
Ethical Decisions Have Complexity
Multiple alternatives
Broad & long-range consequences
Uncertain consequences
Mixture of economic, legal, ethical, social,
and personal benefits and costs
Some Ethical Systems
Eternal law: "capital-T truth"
Ethical Egoism: seek self-interests & promote greatest
balance of good over bad for self, with ethical constraints
Utilitarianism: greatest good for the greatest number, or
maximize the social benefit function
Universalism (Categorical imperative): would I be willing
to make the basis for my action a general law binding
everyone, given similar circumstances?
Enlightened self-interest: self-interest rightly understood,
with long-term perspective or judging from my deathbed
Ethics of interdependence: interdependence between
individuals is fundamental; be willing to compromise to
help the other side achieve goals
Some Ethical Introspections
Is it right?
Is it fair?
How does it smell?
Who benefits and who gets hurt?
What if details were made public?
What would you tell your child to do?
What if everyone did this?
Consider
Learning from your mistakes
Look in the mirror & see how you like what
you see
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes
and see how they see you
However, don’t be naive
Case: A Tragic Choice
Review silently the questions at end of the
case
We discuss Q.1
Each group takes one of questions 2-5
plus the general question: If you were Jim,
what would you do and why? - reports
back
All join in discussion of each
The Insufficiency of Honesty
Honesty: refusal to steal, lie, or deceive
in any way
Integrity: trustworthiness & incorruptibility
to a degree that one is incapable of being
false to a trust or responsibility
Integrity
Honesty is necessary, but not sufficient
The most important thing in acting is
honesty; once you learn to fake that,
you’re in.
- Sam Goldwyn
Integrity
Honesty
Discerning
– Examining beliefs & assumptions
– Searching for "truth," avoiding error
– Allowing others the same
Acting on what you have discerned
– Even at personal cost
Fulfilling moral obligations
– Do no harm to others
– Not just the minimum
Kohlberg Stages of Moral Development
Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment (e.g., I won't hit
him because he may hit me back.)
Stage 2: Individual Instrumental Purpose and Exchange
(I will help her so she will help me in exchange.)
Stage 3: "Good Boy/girl" (I will go along with you
because I want you/people to like me.)
Stage 4: Law and Order (I will follow the rule/order
because it is wrong not to.)
Stage 5: Valuing Rights of Others plus Social Rights and
Responsibilities (Although I disagree with his views, I
support his right to have them.)
Stage 6: Individual Principles of Conscience Grounded
in Universal Ethical Principles (There is no external
force that can compel me to do an act that I consider
morally wrong.)