Ethical Competencies and Perspectives

• Chapter 1 is about Ethical Competencies and Perspectives

Developing Ethical Competencies

• Ethical experts have well-developed moral knowledge

• Ethical experts know what moral knowledge to apply quickly

• Ethical experts better understand personal moral standards

• Ethical experts can define the ethical problem

• Ethical experts can make moral decisions faster

• Ethical experts develop through learning in a structured environment

• Ethical experts develop through mastering ethical theory and skills

• Ethical experts develop through practice

• Ethical competencies include Moral Maturation

• Moral Maturation means knowledge of a specific ethics domain

• Moral Maturation means the ability to monitor and regulate ethical thinking, including considering all aspects of a dilemma

• Moral Maturation means developing a moral identity

• Moral Maturation means having knowledge of self including beliefs, values, and goals

• Conation is the mental faculty of purpose, desire or will to perform an action

• Ethical competencies also include Moral Conation

• Moral Conation means taking ownership of ethical actions

• Moral Conation means belief in the ability to take action and persist

• Moral Conation means having the courage to face danger and overcome ethical challenges and obstacles

Defining Organizational Ethics

• Organizations are socially constructed and exist when:

• 3+ people are involved

• Coordination of activities occurs

• Goals are pursued

• There are structured interactions

• Roles and hierarchies operate

• A level of interconnectedness exists

• Ethics and Morality focuses on what is right or wrong

• Ethics and Morality deal with principles of right and wrong behavior

• Organizational ethics applies moral standards and principles to an organizational context

Ethical Perspectives

• Ethical perspectives are tools used to reason through ethical dilemmas
• The different types of ethical perspectives are:
• Utilitarianism
• Categorical Imperative
• Justice as Fairness
• Aristotelian
• Confucianism
• Altruism

Ethical Perspectives: Utilitarianism

• Utilitarianism means: Do the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number

• The theorists of Utilitarianism are Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

• Utilitarianism's premise is to make decisions based on their outcomes or consequences (consequentialism)

• In Utilitarianism, the best decisions generate the most benefits relative to their disadvantages

• In Utilitarianism, the best decisions benefit the largest number of people

• Utilitarianism promotes human welfare

• Utilitarianism is commonly used

• Utilitarianism is appropriate for policy decisions and emergency situations

• The weaknesses of Utilitarianism are:

• It is hard to define and measure the 'greatest good'

• It is hard to identify all possible consequences of a choice

• It favors short-term consequences and personal interests when making choices

• Decision-makers reach different conclusions

• It overlooks the needs of the individual

Kant’s Categorical Imperative

• Kant's Categorical Imperative has Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) as its theorist
• Its premise is to do your duty (deontological.)
• The Categorical Imperative determines whether a behavior is moral by deciding if it should be universally followed, without exception
• Kant's Categorical Imperative states to treat “humanity as an end” and respect people
• Kant's Categorical Imperative prevents unethical behavior
• Kant's Categorical Imperative builds moral courage
• Kant's Categorical Imperative recognizes that people are intrinsically valuable
• The weaknesses of Kant's Categorical Imperative are:
  • There appear to be exceptions to universal principles
  • It follows misguided duties
  • Duties may conflict with one another

Rawls’s Justice as Fairness

• Rawls's Justice as Fairness has John Rawls as its theorist

• There are two principles to justice

• The first principle is that each person has an equal right to the same basic liberties that are compatible with similar liberties for all

• This principle includes:

  • Right to vote
  • Freedom of Speech and Thought
  • Freedom to own personal property
  • Freedom from arbitrary arrest

• The second principality social and economic inequalities are to satisfy two conditions:

  • Everyone has the same chance to qualify for office and jobs - discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnic origin is forbidden
  • Opportunities such as access to training and education needed to prepare for these positions must be made available and are to be to the greatest benefit of the least advanced members of society (difference principle.)

• Steps to take for Rawls’s Justice as Fairness

  • Step behind a veil of ignorance when making decisions
  • Base decisions on the maximin rule: the best choice is the one that guarantees a minimum level of benefits for everyone

• Reconciles tension between individual freedom and social justice, personal liberty and the common good

• Guarantees level of benefits and equal opportunity

• Protects individual rights

• Weaknesses

  • definitions of justice and fairness differ
  • can reach different conclusions behind the veil of ignorance

Aristotelian Ethics

• Theorist: Aristotle (384-322 BC.)

• Premise: Will make ethical decisions if we develop character traits or virtues (intellectual and moral.) – don't just follow rules.

  • Intellectual: prudence and wisdom give us insight
  • Morality: courage, generosity, justice

• Find the middle ground between extremes (the Golden Mean.) – “virtuous people"

• Build character through habits: repeated patterns of behavior.

• Goods of the soul: those that build the mind and relationships are most important.

• Strive to flourish

• Strengths

  • Addresses the most important questions of life.
  • Happiness is a worthy pursuit.
  • Combats materialism.
  • Builds high character.

• Weaknesses

• Fails to provide specific guidance to decision makers.

• Finding the middle ground depends on the situation.

• Treats emotion with suspicion.

• Some may never be able to live well.

Confucianism

• Theorist: Confucius (551–479 BCE)
• Premise: Humans are social creatures connected through networks of relationships.
• Policies, norms, and procedures (etiquette or li) maintain relationships.
• You lead by setting a moral example
• Follow the Golden Rule: "Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.")
• Key virtue: Benevolence.
• Recognize status and power differences but treat everyone with respect.
• You cannot separate character from action.

Altruism: Concern for Others

• Altruism is an integral part of the human experience.

• Promotes healthy relationships and organizational citizenship behavior (routine altruistic acts in the -organizational setting.)

• Promotes the ethic of care: concern for individuals.

• Ethic of Care Theorists: Carol Gilligan, Nel Noddings, Virginia Held.

• Premise: Focus on the individual needs of others.

• Ethic of Care: Five key components:

• Note and meet the needs of those we are responsible for.

• Value emotions

• Specific needs and relationships take priority over universal principles.

• Break down the barriers between the public and private spheres.

• View persons as both relational and interdependent. “Embedded”

• Altruism is a powerful force for good.

• Prevents ethical abuses.

• Fosters healthy relationships and organizations.

• Lays the foundation for high moral character.

• Inspires others.

• Weaknesses

  • Not easy to put into practice.
  • May be motivated to help others due to peer pressure, guilt, and the desire to project a good image.
  • Disagreement over what constitutes loving behavior.
  • Conflicts with the ethic of justice.