Business Ethics Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Utilitarianism?

A philosophy that denies the importance of consequences.

A doctrine that emphasizes individual rights.

The belief that actions are right if they promote happiness. (correct)

A belief that all actions are morally equivalent.

Who are some notable Utilitarian theorists?

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

To apply Utilitarian Principles, one must first determine available __________.

actions or policies.

What is the first step in applying Utilitarian Principles?

Determine what alternative actions or policies are available. Signup and view all the answers

What are moral rights?

Rights that all human beings possess equally regardless of legal systems. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of rights to their descriptions:

Negative rights = Require others to leave us alone. Positive rights = Require others to help us. Contractual rights = Require others to keep their agreements. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kant's Categorical Imperative emphasize?

Acting on maxims that can be universalized. Signup and view all the answers

Critics argue that all values can be measured in Utilitarianism.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the second version of Kant's Categorical Imperative?

Never use people only as a means to your ends, but always treat them as they freely and rationally consent to be treated. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Utilitarianism

Defines the value of actions by their utility and benefits to the majority.
Ethical actions promote happiness, guided by "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."

Utilitarian Theorists

Key figures include Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

Applying Utilitarian Principles

Identify alternative actions or policies available in a situation.
Estimate direct and indirect benefits and costs for all affected persons for each action.
Calculate net utility by subtracting costs from benefits for each action.
Choose the action with the highest sum total of utility as the ethically correct decision.

Criticisms of Utilitarianism

Critics argue certain values are immeasurable.
Critics claim utilitarianism neglects rights and justice, while utilitarians suggest rule-utilitarianism addresses these concerns.

Concept of a Right

A right is an individual's entitlement.
Legal rights arise from legal systems; moral rights are inherent to all humans.
Legal rights apply within specific jurisdictions; moral rights are universal and not bound by laws.

Moral Rights

Can be violated without harming others.
Linked to the duties others have toward rights holders.
Focus on individual autonomy and equality, contrasting with utilitarianism's collective utility approach.

Three Types of Moral Rights

Negative rights demand non-interference from others.
Positive rights require assistance from others.
Contractual rights are based on agreements and must be upheld.

Contractual Rights and Duties

Arise from specific agreements among involved parties.
Depend on accepted rules governing agreements and obligations.
Require transparency, honesty, and voluntary consensus without coercion.

Kant and Moral Rights

Advocates for equal freedom for individuals to pursue interests.
Identifies interests as rights if their deprivation is unacceptable to society and necessary for rational living.

Kant's Categorical Imperative (First Version)

Actions should only be based on principles applicable to everyone in similar situations.
Concepts of universalizability and reversibility guide moral decision-making.
Asks reflective questions like "What if everyone did that?"

Kant's Categorical Imperative (Second Version)

Emphasizes that individuals should not be merely used as means to an end, but respected as autonomous agents.
This perspective highlights human dignity and equates it with the first formulation.

Criticisms of Kant's Theory

Both formulations of the categorical imperative lack clarity.
Kant's framework struggles to resolve conflicts between competing rights.
Moral implications of Kant's theory can lead to flawed judgments.

Libertarian Philosophy

Posits that freedom from human constraints is inherently good, viewing imposed constraints as inherently evil.

Description

Explore key ethical principles in business through flashcards. This quiz covers utilitarianism and its significance in determining the morality of actions based on their outcomes. Perfect for students looking to understand the foundational concepts in business ethics.