Ethics Lecture 1: Essential Characteristics
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary object of study in ethics?

  • Legal frameworks
  • Human behavior (correct)
  • Social norms
  • Philosophical theories
  • Which term means 'love of knowledge'?

  • Philosophy (correct)
  • Rationality
  • Morality
  • Ethics
  • What does ethics offer as a systematic approach?

  • Verification of personal views (correct)
  • Moral experience
  • Emotional response
  • Personal judgment
  • Who is a key figure associated with deontological ethics?

    <p>Kant (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of deontological ethics?

    <p>Duty and adherence to rules (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does ethics differ from moral experience?

    <p>Ethics is systematic and rational (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'categorical imperative' refer to in Kant's ethics?

    <p>Universal moral norms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aristotle, how do we become virtuous?

    <p>By performing just acts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is intentional ignorance primarily used to protect?

    <p>An interest or a position (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can lead to a lack of full consent?

    <p>Mental illness (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of omission in actions?

    <p>Failing to report unethical behavior (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action involves persuading someone to act in a specific way?

    <p>Induction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cooperation involves unknowingly assisting someone else's actions?

    <p>Material cooperation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered a frequent ethical issue in business?

    <p>Misappropriation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of action directly enables another person to perform an action?

    <p>Cooperation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents tax evasion?

    <p>Underreporting income (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main goals of the UN Global Compact?

    <p>To create a global movement for sustainable businesses (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle is NOT part of the standards of the International Labour Organisation?

    <p>Mandatory overtime for all employees (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors modifies individual moral responsibility?

    <p>Knowledge and consent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does invincible ignorance refer to?

    <p>Awareness of circumstances that cannot be easily overcome (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle aims to eliminate discrimination in employment?

    <p>Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'responsibility' origin from?

    <p>A Latin word meaning 'to respond' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes surmountable ignorance?

    <p>Knowledge that can be accessed with little effort (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a component of responsible business management?

    <p>Aligning business strategies with UN principles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does cultural relativism reject?

    <p>The existence of universal values (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does cultural imperialism manifest in a business context?

    <p>When a company imposes its own culture on another culture (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key critique of cultural relativism?

    <p>It can influence moral judgments based on false beliefs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept argues for the existence of absolute moral principles that should be respected universally?

    <p>Universalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Golden Rule emphasize?

    <p>Treating others as you wish to be treated (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes pluralism?

    <p>Accepting varying moral convictions and seeking consensus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied by the term 'intrinsic dignity'?

    <p>Dignity inherent to every person (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might moral judgment of cultural practices be problematic according to critiques of cultural relativism?

    <p>Because it overlooks power dynamics (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the formula of humanity emphasize in ethical decision-making?

    <p>Treating individuals as ends in themselves (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines consequentialism?

    <p>The moral assessment based on the consequences produced (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are considered the founding figures of utilitarianism?

    <p>Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the principle of utility concerned with?

    <p>Acting in a way that produces the greatest good for the majority (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which virtue is associated with the ability to identify the good end in ethical decisions?

    <p>Practical wisdom (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of ethics focuses on the flourishing of individuals within their personal life contexts?

    <p>Personal ethics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge does cultural diversity pose to business ethics, according to Mele?

    <p>Conflicts between personal beliefs and workplace culture (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which virtue helps individuals moderate their desires for pleasure?

    <p>Temperance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Universalizability

    The principle of assessing if actions can be universalized as moral law.

    Formula of Humanity

    Act to treat humanity as an end, not merely as a means.

    Consequentialism

    Moral evaluation based on the consequences of actions.

    Utilitarianism

    The ethical theory focusing on the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

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    Principle of Utility

    Act to produce the greatest good for the majority.

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    Four Virtues

    Practical wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance as key ethical traits.

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    Personal Ethics

    How an individual flourishes in their own life context.

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    Business Ethics

    Business's role in realizing societal good through services and goods.

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    Ethics

    The study of human behavior focused on morality.

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    Philosophy

    The love of knowledge, questioning existence and actions.

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    Practical Ethics

    A guide for human excellence and virtuous actions.

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    Moral Experience

    Pre-philosophical understanding of right and wrong.

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    Deontological Ethics

    Ethics focused on duty and adherence to rules.

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    Categorical Imperatives

    Kant's criteria for universal law in ethical actions.

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    Agent-Centered Theories

    Focus on the person performing the action.

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    Act-Centered Theories

    Focus on the actions themselves, independent of the actor.

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    Cultural Relativism

    The belief that moral principles are relative to cultural context.

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    Consequences of Cultural Relativism

    Rejects universal values and states cultures are merely different.

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    Criticism of Cultural Relativism

    Challenges the validity of cultural relativism and its moral implications.

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    Cultural Imperialism

    Imposing the values of a dominant culture on native cultures.

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    Moral Pluralism

    Acceptance of different moral beliefs while seeking consensus on basic principles.

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    Universalism

    The belief that there are absolute moral principles valid across cultures.

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    Intrinsic Dignity

    Dignity inherent in being a person, not conditional on life circumstances.

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    Golden Rule

    Treat others as you want to be treated; avoid harming others.

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    Human Rights

    Fundamental rights entitled to every person, including freedom and equality.

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    Labour Standards

    Guidelines ensuring fair treatment, safety, and rights for workers.

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    Environmental Responsibility

    The obligation to protect the environment in business practices.

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    Anti-Corruption

    Measures to prevent dishonesty and fraud in organizations.

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    PRIME

    Initiative supporting responsible management education linked to UN goals.

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    Modifiers of Responsibility

    Factors such as knowledge and consent that affect moral accountability.

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    Invincible Ignorance

    A situation where awareness cannot easily be gained regarding actions.

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    Surmountable Ignorance

    Knowledge that can be easily acquired but is neglected.

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    Intentional Ignorance

    Acting 'as if' one does not know something relevant to protect an interest.

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    Lack of Full Consent

    A situation where consent to perform an action is incomplete or absent.

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    Action

    Direct activities performed by a person.

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    Omission

    Failing to perform an action that one is capable of doing.

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    Induction

    Influencing others to act in a specific way through persuasion or suggestion.

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    Cooperation

    Helping others perform an action, either knowingly or unknowingly.

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    Ethical Issues in Business

    Situations in business that raise moral or ethical concerns.

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    Misappropriation

    Improper use of company resources or intellectual property.

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    Study Notes

    Lecture 1: Essential Characteristics of Ethics

    • Ethics is the study of human behavior, a part of philosophy with practical applications.
    • Ethics aims to guide human excellence and virtue.
    • Philosophers investigate the reasons behind actions, choices, and decisions in individual and communal contexts.
    • Ethical frameworks evaluate the morality of actions and behaviors, including personal and organizational contexts.
    • Ethics distinguishes between "acts of man" (natural) and actions (voluntary).
    • Ancient theories focus on the "agent," while modern theories emphasize the "act" itself, often abstracting from the person performing it.

    Practical Aspects of Ethics

    • Ethics, as defined by Mele (2019) is a guide for human excellence, aiming toward virtue (Aristotle, 2000).
    • It's a systematic approach to understanding morality from a philosophical perspective.
    • A systematic, rational perspective helps evaluate morality of actions, separate from the emotional reactions and values.
    • Aristotle states that actions define who we are (“we become just by performing just acts, temperate by performing temperate ones, brave by performing brave ones").

    Lecture 2: Deontological Ethics and Categorical Imperatives

    • Deontological ethics is centered on duty and adherence to rules.
    • Kant argued that ethics determines how the world "ought to be" rather than just how it is.
    • Categorical imperatives, a core concept, involve universalizability (actions should be applicable to all circumstances) and treating individuals with intrinsic worth (never merely as a means).
    • The "formula of universal law," suggests focusing on the maxim behind an action to determine its universal applicability.
    • The "formula of humanity," emphasizes treating all individuals as ends in themselves, not simply as means to an end.

    Lecture 2: Consequentialism and Utilitarianism

    • Consequentialism focuses on the outcomes of actions, rather than the intentions or rules behind them.
    • Utilitarianism, a specific consequentialist theory, aims to maximize happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people.
    • Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill championed Utilitarianism, emphasizing the greatest happiness for the greatest number as the measure of right and wrong.
    • The principle of utility prioritizes actions producing the most pleasure and least pain for the majority.
    • Limitations include potential conflicts with individual rights or justice.

    Lecture 2: Virtue Ethics

    • Virtue ethics examines character traits and how they shape actions.
    • Central concept is "eudaimonia" : flourishing/living a good life.
    • Practical wisdom (prudence) is vital in identifying virtuous actions and choosing appropriate courses of action guided by virtues
    • Virtue ethics looks to how we develop virtue in our actions so we lead better lives.
    • Justice, Courage, Temperance, and Practical Wisdom are key virtues.

    Lecture 2: Comparing Ethical Theories

    • Ethical theories are presented and contrasted in terms of their approaches, core principles, proponents, and limitations
    • Different types of ethical theories have different ways of looking at the moral issues raised.

    Lecture 2: Personal, Business, and Social Ethics

    • Personal ethics: guide individual behavior to promote flourishing.
    • Business ethics: guide business practices to create positive societal impact
    • Social ethics: address societal structures and systems for collective well-being.

    Lecture 3: Individual Ethics in Business

    • Responsibility derives from Latin "respondere"(to respond).
    • Two main assumptions are the existence of someone we are responsible and freedom to act.
    • Modifiers of responsibility are knowledge and consent
    • Lack of consent or knowledge impacts moral responsibility, including: -Invincible or Surmountable Ignorance -Intentional Ignorance -Sociological and Mental Illness factors.

    Lecture 3: Actions and Responsibility

    • Actions (and omissions) shape an individual's moral responsibility
    • Cooperation involves working with others, including formal and material cooperation in specific contexts.
    • Voluntary actions, involuntary actions, and inducing actions affect responsibility in different ways.

    Lecture 3: Frequent Ethical Issues in Business

    • Key frequent ethical issues in business are a variety including:
    • Misappropriation, Misuse, Intellectual Property Theft, Fraud, Conflicts of Interests and other ethical concerns.

    Lecture 4: Cultural Relativism

    • Cultural Relativism posits moral principles are relative to specific cultures.
    • Cultural actions and practices may conflict, leading to differing approaches to morality across cultures.
    • Criticisms include the lack of universal values, and difficulty in judging actions concerning cultural customs.

    Lecture 4: Cultural Imperialism and Moral Pluralism

    • Cultural Imperialism involves imposing a dominant culture on others.
    • Moral Pluralism is the acceptance and understanding of multiple ethical viewpoints.
    • Moral Pluralism recognizes different moral views without making judgments concerning which is best.

    Lecture 4: UN Compact

    • Ten UN principles divided into four areas: Human Rights, Labor, Environment, Anti-Corruption, to encourage responsible business within guidelines.

    Lecture 4: Standards of International Labour Organisation

    • The ILO standards cover Freedom of Association, Forced Labor, Abolition of Child Labor and Discrimination in Employment and Occupation.

    Lecture 4-6: Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRIME)

    • PRIME represents the efforts of universities in supporting UN Global Compact goals.
    • This initiative encourages responsible management education encompassing various components of the business context.

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    Description

    Explore the foundational aspects of ethics as a branch of philosophy. This quiz delves into ethical frameworks, the distinction between voluntary and natural actions, and how ancient and modern theories approach morality. Enhance your understanding of what constitutes ethical behavior in personal and organizational contexts.

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