Ethical Relativism vs Moral Absolutism

• This module explores ethical issues in business
• It examines how personal responsibility, decision-making, and moral views shape corporate actions and accountability
• Real examples will be used to analyze business ethics and its societal impact

Ethical Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Ethical relativism and moral absolutism, represent contrasting views of ethics
• Ethical relativism asserts morality depends on cultural, historical, or personal circumstances.
• Moral absolutism asserts that universal moral principles apply to all, regardless of circumstances

Ethical Relativism

• Moral Values are shaped by social, cultural, and individual perspectives.
• What is considered right or wrong is subjective and varies across societies

Main Features of Ethical Relativism

• Ethical relativism denies objective, universally applicable moral principles
• Each culture establishes its ethical framework, dictating what's acceptable within that group
• Societal norms, values, and historical contexts shape moral judgments
• What is ethical is influenced by community beliefs and practices

Examples of Ethical Relativism

• Arranged Marriages: Are standard in some cultures, and seen as a violation of autonomy in others
• Dietary Practices: Some cultures prohibit certain animals, while others consume them regularly

Criticisms of Ethical Relativism

• It can justify harmful practices if culturally accepted like discrimination or human rights abuses
• Relativism discourages examination of harmful practices, hindering moral growth and progress
• In multicultural societies, relativism can lead to conflicting moral standards

Moral Absolutism

• Certain ethical principles are universal and unchanging, regardless of cultural or individual differences

Main Features of Moral Absolutism

• Moral laws apply equally to all individuals, regardless of culture, period, or beliefs
• Right and wrong are objective and unchanging.
• Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms and are based on fixed principles
• Morality is not determined by cultural perspectives
• Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances

Examples of Moral Absolutism

• Universal Human Rights: Fundamental rights should be upheld, regardless of nationality or culture
• Murder: Taking a life without justification is universally condemned

Criticisms of Moral Absolutism

• Moral absolutism can be rigid, ignoring cultural diversity and societal complexities
• May not provide clear answers when ethical principles conflict
• Even if values exist, cultures/individuals may interpret and apply them differently

Free Will, Moral Responsibility, and Determinism

• The debate between free will and determinism explores human control over actions versus external forces determining choices

Free Will

• Free will, is the ability to make choices independently, without external forces determining factors

Main Features of Free Will

• Individuals have control over their decisions
• Individuals can distinguish right from wrong and are accountable for choices
• Biological or environmental factors do not entirely determine human actions

Examples of Free Will

• A person choosing a career based on interests/aspirations

• Returning a lost wallet even with the option to keep it

• Personal Growth: Overcoming negative habits demonstrates self-improvement through effort

• Voting in Elections: Citizens making independent political decisions

Criticisms of Free Will

• Decisions may still be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and societal norms
• Neuroscience suggests that brain activity may determine choices
• It may be limited in extreme situations like coercion or mental illness

Moral Responsibility

• It's the obligation to act ethically, recognizing how decisions affect others and accepting consequences
• People are morally responsible when they can make choices and be held accountable for the results
• Key for guiding behavior and societal norms

Main Features of Moral Responsibility

• Individuals make choices, with freedom to choose between options
• People must be held accountable for their actions, whether intentional or unintentional
• Intention behind an action is important in determining responsibility
• Deliberate intent carries more moral weight than accidental actions
• A person must understand the potential consequences of their actions
• Assumes the person can understand right from wrong
• Often considered in the context of age, mental health, or factors impairing decision-making

Examples of Moral Responsibility

• Helping someone in distress like assisting an injured person
• If someone breaks property, they are responsible for apologizing and making amends
• Parents have the moral responsibility to raise children, provide for their needs, and teach them right from wrong
• Corporations polluting have a moral responsibility to minimize harm and protect resources

Criticisms of Moral Responsibility

• If actions are caused by genetics/upbringing, individuals may not have true responsibility
• Outcomes depend on factors beyond a person's control, challenging fairness of assigning it
• Diminished cognitive abilities may affect responsibility, raising ethical concerns about accountability

Determinism

• All events, including human actions, are caused by prior conditions
• Cannot occur otherwise

Main Features of Determinism

• Every action results from preceding causes influencing outcomes
• Biological, environmental, and social factors influence behavior
• Choices are shaped by past experiences/influences, leaving room for autonomy

Examples of Determinism

• High intelligence due to inherited traits and cognitive predispositions
• Trauma leading to trust issues or aggressive tendencies

Criticisms of Determinism

• If caused by external forces, it may undermine moral responsibility
• Involve a blend of pre-existing influences and some degree of free will
• Individuals can adapt, suggesting possibilities to overcome influences through growth/intervention

Ethics in Business and Corporate Social Responsibility

• Business ethics refers to moral principles that guide corporate behavior
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) extends beyond profit-making, towards society/environment

Business Ethics

• Governs decision-making processes, ensuring companies operate with integrity and fairness

Main Principles of Business Ethics

• Companies should provide truthful information to customers/stakeholders
• Fair wages, conditions, and non-discriminatory policies are essential
• Businesses must ensure product safety and avoid deceptive marketing
• Ethical leadership/accountability prevent corruption/fraud

Examples of Ethical and Unethical Business Practices

• Representing products accurately versus misleading consumers
• Paying a living wage versus underpaying
• Implementing eco-friendly methods versus irresponsible disposal

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Focuses on businesses' ethical obligations toward social and environmental well-being

Key Areas of CSR

• Reducing carbon footprints, adopting energy, and minimizing waste
• Supporting education, healthcare, and job creation in communities
• Providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and respecting rights
• Donating a portion of profits to charities

Examples of CSR Initiatives

• Companies using biodegradable materials to reduce impact
• Supporting suppliers in developing countries by ensuring fair compensation

Benefits of Business Ethics and CSR

• Ethical businesses attract customers and improve reputation
• Fair treatment of employees increases job satisfaction/productivity
• Investors support companies with ethical standards
• Practicing CSR results in by aligning goals with social impact
• They prioritize ethics gain societal benefits/competitive edge