Moral and Non-Moral Standards

Introduction

• Morality has emerged in human affairs as a reference frame
• Judgements of right and wrong from a moral point of view can conflict with other perspectives.
• To assess if something is right, a context is required
• Value judgements and prescriptive judgements may be either moral or non-moral.
• Judgements being made on moral ground is a complex issue
• Recognizing the distinctions between moral and non-moral judgements is essential because they are interrelated

Differences Between Moral and Non-Moral Standards

• The norms of actions considered morally acceptable or unacceptable are referred to as moral standards
• Actions that can seriously harm or benefit human beings is related to moral standards
• Validity comes from reasoning, so these cannot be formed or changed by authority

Emotions and Rules

• Human actions inspire reactions
• Emotions can get out of control, if not regulated by laws, customs, moral codes, etiquette, and professional codes
• Rules are a stabilizing force that enhances the survivability of individuals, families and nations

Developing a Moral Compass

• Developing a moral compass in children is a shared responsibility of family, educational institutions, and the broad community
• The moral development of young people largely depends on the ethical capacities of adults who interact with them
• Young people require role models and environments that uphold values

Non-Moral Standard

• Rules unrelated to moral or ethical considerations consist of non-moral standards
• Examples of non-moral standards include etiquette, fashion standards, rules in games, and house rules

Etiquette

• Etiquette refers to norms of correct conduct in polite society or a code of social behavior
• Rules of etiquette prescribe socially acceptable behavior, and violating them may lead to being seen as ill-mannered or impolite, but not immoral
• Etiquette helps you fit in and get along with others

Statutes

• Statutes are laws enacted by legislative bodies
• Laws defining and prohibiting theft are statutes
• Congress and State legislatures enact statutes
• Laws enacted by local governing bodies such as city councils are ordinances

Professional Codes of Ethics

• Professional Codes of Ethics defines rules that govern the conduct of members of a given profession
• Members of a profession abide by these rules as a condition of engaging in that profession
• Violation of a professional code may lead to disapproval from peers and in serious cases, loss of license

How Are Moral Standards Formed?

• Moral standards that many share in society are influenced by factors like:
  • Moral principles accepted from upbringing
  • Values passed on through heritage and legacy
  • Religious values imbibed from childhood
  • Values showcased in the period of education
  • Behavior patterns of those who are around us
  • Explicit and implicit standards
  • Life experience
  • Critical reflections on experiences

Moral Dilemmas

• Moral dilemmas involve conflicts where one must choose between actions, each having moral justifications
• A moral dilemma has crucial features
  • An agent must do two or more actions
  • The agent can do each action
  • The agent cannot do all actions
  • The agent seems condemned to moral failure and will do something wrong

Moral Dilemma Situations

• Moral dilemmas are situations when presented with two or more actions you can perform
• Moral reasons exist for choosing each action
• Actions cannot all be done and choosing which one to perform is needed
• Failing to follow your morals occurs, no matter what choice you make, someone or something will suffer

Examples of Consequenes in a Moral Dilemma

• Examples of Moral Dilemma’s
  • Telling the truth will make your friend will suffer, which harms your friendship
  • Not telling the truth is lying and turning into a lawbreaker, which harms your friend for a crime they did not commit

Moral Dilemmas in the Organization

• Ethical dilemmas are common in the workplace and aren’t always easy to answer
• The concepts are straightforward, but the challenge is in the execution
• A high risk of unethical behavior exists, even with policies and procedures
• Some employees lack awareness of resources for decision-making or who to ask, which puts organizations in a high-risk behavior

Why Organizations Stumble with Ethics

• The reason organizations stumble with ethics are simple
  • Mixed messaged
  • Inconsistent application of policies
  • A tendency to overlook borderline or directly unethical behavior
  • The "it's not my job" mentality

Common Organizational Missteps

• Missteps in organizations consist of:
  • Senior leaders not “walking the talk” and modeling inappropriate behavior
  • Leaders having an irrational sense of entitlement
  • Individuals cutting corners due to misplaced incentives
  • Rewarding practices that lead to cutting corners on safety and quality
  • Individuals feeling the need to obey authority, even when asked to do something wrong
  • Conflict avoidance to create closure

Defensive Logic

• Defensive logic occurs and involves taking action in an ethical manner in the workplace
  • Employees unable to approach possibly unethical situations opt to close it out without having the conversation about ethics
  • Manifesting as "everyone is doing it, so why not me?" or 'why should I stick my neck out?"

Scenario 1

• Carrie is a doctor working in a hospital where deadly fumes are rising in the ventilation due to an accident
  • There are 4 patients are a room and there is one in another
  • Without intervention, the fumes will kill the four patients

Dilema of Scenario 1

• If Carrie bypasses the 4 patient room , the fumes will enter the room containing the single patient, killing her

Scenario 2

• One’s dying partner must acquire a rare drug made by a druggist
  • The druggist sells the cure at ten times the amount it costed to make
    • Borrowing from friends and family can only raise half the amount

Dilemma of Scenario 2

• The druggist refuses to sell the cure for half now and half later
  • You consider breaking into the store to steal the cure, although you might be arrested for the crim