Ethical Frameworks

Question 1

Utilitarianism

Answer 1

Jeremy benthem & john stuart mill

Greatest good for the greatest number.

Question 2

Utilitarianism Characteristics

Answer 2

focused on consequences, not means.
fails to respect individual rights
places the same value on everyone’s happiness
subject to community values

Question 3

Deontology

Answer 3

Emmanuel Kant

We have certain duties or rights regardless of the consequences.

Question 4

Deontology Characteristics

Answer 4

Categorical Imperative: a rule you are willing to universalize
Not concerned with consequences  the right thing to do regardless of consequences
Rule-based framework
Most struggle of us to follow rules strictly

Question 5

Libertarianism

Answer 5

Friedman

(also called Rights Theory) Fundamental individual right is liberty.

Question 6

Libertarianism Characteristics

Answer 6

Freedom of individual choice and respecting this freedom in others
Against re-distribution of wealth (taxes)
Individual rights at the expense of the community

Question 7

Virtue Ethics

Answer 7

Aristotle

living a good (virtuous) life through habit

Question 8

Virtue Ethics Characteristics

Answer 8

Developing that habit
What is the essential nature of the activity? (Telos)
What virtues will a decision reward?
Ask yourself: what kind of person to you want to be?

Question 9

Social Justice

Answer 9

John rawle

ethics is about fairness and justice.

Question 10

Social Justice Characteristics

Answer 10

Make decisions through a “Veil of Ignorance”: that prevents us from knowing who we are in society ➔ what rules would you establish to protect yourself

Question 11

Taoism

Answer 11

the “way” or “path”
Moral power (te) achieved by following your path (tao)
Compassion, moderations, humility

Question 12

Confucianism

Answer 12

Treating others with respect and politeness
Honoring family
We can improve through personal and community endeavor
Altruism and humanity
In business: a connection between people created by mutual obligation

Question 13

Peter Drucker

Answer 13

Ethics itself doesn’t change
Differences in social or cultural norms may impact the way things are done … but not the substance
History doesn’t support an effort to give those in power a special ethics

Question 14

Drucker: Confucian Ethics of Interdependence

Answer 14

Different rules for the five basic relationships of interdependence
Right behavior is that which is appropriate to the specific relationship because it optimizes benefits for both parties
Business ethics ‘problems’ related to interdependence:
Organization/Employee
Manufacturer/Customer

Question 15

Albert Carr

Answer 15

the ethical standards of the business game are a far cry from those of private life

Question 16

Carr’s Characteristics

Answer 16

“Built in obsolescence”
Advertisement that makes a product seem better than it is
Product design to make it hard to resist – how does that impact consumer sovereignty?