4) Contemporary Ethical Theories Flashcards
(21 cards)
Why did contemporary ethical theories emerge?
Classical theories were too abstract, rigid, impersonal, or reductionist and failed to address modern ethical complexity, emotions, and relationships.
What is Emmanuel Levinas’ core ethical idea?
Ethics begins with encountering the Other — someone irreducibly different from us — and responding to their vulnerability with responsibility and care.
What does Levinas mean by “The Other”?
The Other is anyone radically different from us. Ethics is how we treat this person — not by assimilating or using them, but by respecting their difference.
Name two strengths of Levinas’ ethical approach in business.
1) Promotes empathy, inclusion, and respect for difference.
2) Counters depersonalisation (e.g. treating people as “resources” or “consumers”).
Name two weaknesses of Levinas’ ethics in business.
1) Difficult to apply practically — it’s very abstract and subjective.
2) May conflict with profit motives or standard business models.
Provide a business example relevant to Levinas’ ethics.
Addressing child labour in supply chains by putting human dignity above cost-cutting or convenience.
What is Zygmunt Bauman’s view on ethics?
Ethics comes from our moral impulse — spontaneous, emotional responses to others — which bureaucracies and systems tend to suppress.
What does Bauman mean by “moral impulse”?
A gut-level, instinctive sense of right and wrong that arises in response to another’s suffering or vulnerability.
Name two strengths of Bauman’s ethical approach.
1) Recognises emotions, relationships, and context.
2) Supports ethical disobedience, whistleblowing, and human care.
Name two weaknesses of Bauman’s ethics in business.
1) Very subjective — not everyone’s impulse leads to good outcomes.
2) Difficult to implement in structured, rule-driven organisations.
Provide a business example for Bauman’s moral impulse.
An employee reporting unsafe conditions based on empathy, not rules — even when not required by policy.
What is Jacques Derrida’s key ethical concept?
Ethics involves undecidability — the difficulty of making truly moral decisions when there is no perfect answer.
What does Derrida mean by “undecidability”?
Ethical decisions are never obvious. We must act knowing there will be loss or regret, and reflect critically after choosing.
Name two strengths of Derrida’s ethical view.
1) Encourages deep moral reflection and humility.
2) Helps avoid rash or thoughtless decisions in business.
Name two weaknesses of Derrida’s ethics in business.
1) Offers no clear guidance — just ongoing reflection.
2) Hard to apply in fast-paced, profit-driven business contexts.
Provide a business example of Derrida’s “undecidability”.
Choosing between layoffs or closing a regional office — no perfect outcome, but ethical reflection is still essential.
How do contemporary ethical theories differ from classical ones?
Contemporary ethics focus on emotions, context, and relationships, while classical ethics are rule- or consequence-based and assume rational detachment.
Compare Bauman’s ethics to Kant’s.
Bauman values emotional, spontaneous responses; Kant prioritises rational duty and universal moral laws.
How does Levinas’ idea of the Other critique utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism may harm or ignore minorities; Levinas insists we recognise the unique humanity of every person, not just the majority.
How can Derrida’s ethics be useful in ethical leadership?
Encourages leaders to pause, reflect, and take responsibility — even when choices are morally complex or uncertain.
What do contemporary theories suggest about the limits of rules and systems in business ethics?
Rules often suppress empathy and individual judgment; true ethics requires thinking beyond procedures to relationships and responsibility.
