Transcript S3HBL-Lecture - EL2014-3O2

ETHICS & LEADERSHIP
Prepared by Dr. Tommie Chen
26-27 May 2014
Lesson Overview
10 Minutes: Thinking about “Leadership”
30 Minutes: Film Viewing/ Worksheet Attempt – 2012
10 Minutes: Introduction to Ethical Philosophy
10 Minutes: Applied Task – Sewol Ferry Disaster
30 Minutes: Task Sheet for Presentations/Final Product
Preliminary Discussion Questions:
1. How
would you define leadership?
1. Why
do you think people need leaders? What
are the functions of a leader?
1. Is
there a difference between a hero and a
leader? If so – what is it?
Which quotation do you most agree
with & why?

“The exercise of power or influence in social collectivities to
meet the needs of the group.” – Gallagher

“The capacity and the will to rally men and women in a
common purpose, & the character which inspires confidence.”
– Montgomery.

“A great leader must be an educator, bridging the gap between
the vision and the familiar. He must also be willing to walk
alone to enable the society to follow the path he has
selected.” – Kissinger.

“The force by which an individual exerts an influence in
releasing, channeling and controlling the thoughts, energies and
emotions of others may be direct or indirect; constructive or
destructive.” – Dumas et al.
Which quotation do you most agree
with & why?

Gallagher
Leaders are CHOSEN to meet the collective needs of a group of
People.
Focus on the functional aspect.

Montgomery
Focus on charisma – the ability to rally people to work together for a
common cause for the greater good.

Kissinger
Imparting vital information to the masses at all costs.
Must be willing to “walk alone” – and take responsibility for decisions.

Dumas
The ability to channel positive and negative energies for constructive
purposes.
2012




How SHOULD the “tickets” to board the arks be
allocated?
What SHOULD be the principles behind the
allocations?
What Moral Principles guided the Government
Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?
Be sure to use the skills taught using Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning in
your Analysis
(Information/ Purpose/ Essential Concepts/ Assumptions/
Consequences/ PoV )
2012 - Worksheet
In YOUR opinion
 How SHOULD the “tickets” to board the arks
allocated?
 What SHOULD be the principles behind the
allocations?
1. Random
- Every random n-th person (i.e. through a “lottery”)
- “Everyone should have a chance to fight for survival”
2. Only to the Privileged:
-
The Wealthy
The Skilled
The Intelligent and the Qualified
The Americans and the Chinese
The Government Officials
2012 - Worksheet
What moral principles guided the Government
Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?
 Key Tip:
1. PREDOMINANTLY Kantian?
2. PREDOMINANTLY Utilitarian?
3. PREDOMINANTLY Ethical Egoist?

2012 - Worksheet

What moral principles guided the Government
Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?
Kantian – Doing what is right.
Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. Go
on now.
Utilitarian – Doing what is in the
interest of the human race.
You go on, son. It's a brave new
world you’re heading to. And a
young scientist is going to be worth
20 old politicians.
2012 - Worksheet

What moral principles guided the Government
Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?
Kantian – Doing what is right.
Sir, wasn’t it also decided that people have the
right to fight for their lives the best way they can?
But to be human, is to care for one another and
civilization means to work together to create a
better life.
If that’s true, then there’s nothing human and
nothing civilized about what we’re doing here.
Ask yourselves – can we really stand by and
watch these people die?
The moment we stop fighting for each other is
the moment we lose our humanity.
2012 - Worksheet

What moral principles guided the Government
Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?
Ethical Egoist OR Utilitarian
We need to bring people who can contribute.
You just want to tell everyone that they’re
doomed?There’d be anarchy.
You wanna jeopardize the President?
Our mission is to ensure the continuity of our
species.
To save the human race, we have an obligation
to stand by the plan that every nation on this
flotilla has signed up for. These people are in
God’s hands now.
Do you want to be responsible for the extinction
of the human race?
Quick Recap:
 What
are the 3 Main Moral Theories?
1.Kantianism
2.Utilitarianism
3.Ethical Egoism
(1) Kantianism




Acts out of a sense of moral duty/principles.
Needs to do the right thing regardless of
consequences or external factors i.e. people or
curcumstances.
Willing to sacrifice one’s interests to do what
is right.
Doing the RIGHT thing does not necessarily
maximise happiness.
Deontological (Kantian)



What are the inherent shortcomings with this
philosophy?
Focuses purely on the principle of an act and not the
results (overly idealistic – assumes that to be moral is
to be rational)
Our motives are often mixed and hidden – HENCE
we can never be sure that we are acting out of our sense
of duty alone.
(2) Utilitarianism



Acts to achieve the greatest happiness / good
for the greatest number of people.
Emphasises the consequences of one’s actions
Willing to do anything to achieve maximum
happiness (ends justify the means).
Consequentialist (Utilitarian)



What are the inherent shortcomings with this
philosophy?
Assumes that increasing welfare or diminishing misery is
the only measure of right and wrong.
Is justice subordinate to the general good?
(3) Ethical Egoism

Acts to further one’s self-interest (what makes
me happy, is good and beneficial for me)

Willing to do good only if the action serves
one’s self-interest in the long run.

“Every person ought to do only what will
further his/her own interests”.
Functions of Great Leadership
To provide relevant and inspiring ideas and goals as
a focal point to inspire trust, commitment and
sacrifice among the followers.
 This trust is based on:
1. Ethics – governs a leaders’ actions
2. Credibility – Ethos – how one is viewed by others.

Functions of Great Leadership



Garnering/Inspiring Respect and the Ability to
Teach/Transmit Visions.
Understanding of human nature and the specific
needs of the followers.
Wisdom is the ability to do the right thing at the right
time (while taking the complexities of human thought and
experience into account).
Leaders Gone Wrong
The downside of leadership gone awry:
 Fear
 Death
 Loss


Highlights the importance of values and
principles.
Exercise
BUT
 Note that heroic figures are always needed in
times of crisis.
 September 11 Attack on the WTC –
Firefighters/Police of NYC, President George W.
Bush
 There is a dormant instinct thirsting for a heroic
figure to cleave to / to have an ideal to aspire
towards.
Exercise




How and Why are today’s heroes different from
those of the past?
More individualistic, pragmatic & materialistic.
Value prosperity over freedom (materialism over
ideals).
Should focus more wisdom, consultation, values &
inspiration rather than on action and force.