Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which ethical theory is primarily concerned with the outcomes for the majority?
Which ethical theory is primarily concerned with the outcomes for the majority?
Which ethical theory is likely to support decisions that prioritize individual profits above all else?
Which ethical theory is likely to support decisions that prioritize individual profits above all else?
Rest's model of ethical decision-making includes how many stages?
Rest's model of ethical decision-making includes how many stages?
Which of these statements best reflects Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance concept?
Which of these statements best reflects Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance concept?
Signup and view all the answers
Kantian Ethics is violated when individuals are treated as what?
Kantian Ethics is violated when individuals are treated as what?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ethical theory focuses on maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people?
Which ethical theory focuses on maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary principle of Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance?
What is the primary principle of Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ethical principle does utilitarianism often conflict with?
Which ethical principle does utilitarianism often conflict with?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Categorical Imperative emphasize?
What does the Categorical Imperative emphasize?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about Ethical Egoism is accurate?
Which statement about Ethical Egoism is accurate?
Signup and view all the answers
The 'Difference Principle' in Rawls’ theory allows for inequalities only if:
The 'Difference Principle' in Rawls’ theory allows for inequalities only if:
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of moral awareness, what is the main focus of Rest’s 'Moral Awareness'?
In the context of moral awareness, what is the main focus of Rest’s 'Moral Awareness'?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the outcome of a company engaging in greenwashing?
What is the outcome of a company engaging in greenwashing?
Signup and view all the answers
Which ethical theory emphasizes prioritizing moral values over competing interests in decision-making?
Which ethical theory emphasizes prioritizing moral values over competing interests in decision-making?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary criticism of Kantian Ethics in business practices?
What is the primary criticism of Kantian Ethics in business practices?
Signup and view all the answers
What ethical principle is reflected in the Veil of Ignorance concept?
What ethical principle is reflected in the Veil of Ignorance concept?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the critical takeaway from the WireCard scandal?
What is the critical takeaway from the WireCard scandal?
Signup and view all the answers
In ethical decision-making, what does Moral Behavior entail?
In ethical decision-making, what does Moral Behavior entail?
Signup and view all the answers
What societal issue was targeted in Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment?
What societal issue was targeted in Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment?
Signup and view all the answers
What rationale did Fair Trade Coffee use to address farmers' issues?
What rationale did Fair Trade Coffee use to address farmers' issues?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Categorical Imperative test when applied as a Universal Law?
What does the Categorical Imperative test when applied as a Universal Law?
Signup and view all the answers
Which issue was highlighted by the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal?
Which issue was highlighted by the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal?
Signup and view all the answers
The ethical principle violated by Facebook's actions in the Cambridge Analytica scandal was related to:
The ethical principle violated by Facebook's actions in the Cambridge Analytica scandal was related to:
Signup and view all the answers
What action did organizations take in response to the Tide Pod misuse incident?
What action did organizations take in response to the Tide Pod misuse incident?
Signup and view all the answers
Which stakeholder group was primarily harmed in Purdue Pharma's case?
Which stakeholder group was primarily harmed in Purdue Pharma's case?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Rawls' Difference Principle permit regarding societal inequalities?
What does Rawls' Difference Principle permit regarding societal inequalities?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Ethical Theories and Principles
- Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people.
- Kantian Ethics: Requires actions to follow universal moral laws, treating people as ends, not means.
- Virtue Ethics: Emphasizes developing good character traits like honesty and courage.
- Ethical Egoism: States that actions are moral if they benefit the individual acting.
- Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance: A principle guiding decision-making that asks individuals to consider societal rules as if they didn't know their social position. The principle focuses on fairness and equality, allowing for inequalities that benefit the least advantaged.
- Stakeholder Theory: Prioritizes all affected groups equally, not just shareholders.
- Ethical Relativism: Suggests that morality depends on cultural or situational contexts.
- Rest's Model of Ethical Decision-Making: Includes stages of moral awareness, judgment, intent, and behavior.
Case Studies: Ethical Dilemmas and Corporate Responsibility
- Volkswagen "Dieselgate": Involved misleading emissions tests, violating Kantian ethics.
- Tide Pod Challenge: Highlighted corporate responsibility to design products minimizing harm and misuse.
- Purdue Pharma: Example of prioritizing shareholder profits over patient and community well-being.
- Tony's Chocolonely: Prioritized ethical sourcing and fair treatment of cocoa farmers.
- Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes experiment: Demonstrated the ease of discrimination based on arbitrary characteristics.
- Fair Trade Coffee: Worked to provide fair wages and treatment for farmers.
- Cambridge Analytica: Example of unethical data collection practices by Facebook.
- Procter & Gamble (Tide Pods): Took action to address potential risks by strengthening packaging and launching safety campaigns.
- WireCard: Illustrated the importance of ethical oversight and transparency.
- Italian Fashion Industry: Exemplified ethical issues around labor practices violating fairness and respect.
- Unilever Project Shakti: Worked to empower rural women entrepreneurs in India.
- Starbucks: Faced criticism due to labor violations and union-busting despite CSR initiatives.
Key Concepts and Applications
- Kantian Ethics and the Categorical Imperative: Emphasizes acting according to universally applicable rules. Key questions are to ensure actions could universally apply without issues or harm.
- Moral Intent: Prioritizing moral values over other competing interests.
- Greenwashing: Lying about environmental practices.
- Difference Principle: Inequalities are allowed only if they benefit the least advantaged.
- Veil of Ignorance: Making decisions as if one did not know one's position in society.
- Moral Awareness: Recognizing that a situation involves a moral issue.
- Moral Behavior: Acting on a moral decision.
- Main Criticism of Kantian Ethics in Business Practices: It can be too rigid and may not account for outcomes or contexts.
- Ethical Application: Different ethical theories lead to different business decisions (e.g., prioritizing profit vs. stakeholder benefit).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your understanding of key ethical theories such as Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, and Virtue Ethics. This quiz will explore various moral principles and frameworks that guide ethical decision-making in different contexts. Deepen your knowledge about how these theories apply to real-world scenarios.
