Lecture 1: Introduction Business Ethics Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the only legitimate source of morality according to Kant?
Pure reason; morality must be based on reason, not experience.
What does Kant believe about the universality of morality?
Morality must be universal and necessary, not subjective or culturally relative.
What is a hypothetical imperative?
A conditional command: “If you want X, then you should do Y.” It applies only if one has a certain goal.
What is a categorical imperative (CI)?
An unconditional moral law that applies to all rational beings regardless of interests or desires.
What is Kant’s Formula of Universal Law?
“Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law.”
What is a maxim in Kantian ethics?
A subjective principle of action — the rule or reason behind a person’s behavior.
What is the purpose of universalization in Kant’s ethics?
To test whether a maxim can be consistently willed as a universal law without contradiction.
Why is fare evasion immoral according to Kant? (Two reasons)
1) It cannot be universalized without collapsing the fare system.
2) It exploits others who follow the rules, violating fairness.
What is the Greatest Happiness Principle?
Actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
What type of ethical theory is utilitarianism?
Consequentialist — it evaluates actions based on their outcomes.
What is meant by ‘hedonistic value theory’ in utilitarianism?
Happiness (pleasure and absence of pain) is the only intrinsic good.
How is utility defined in utilitarianism?
Utility equals happiness or pleasure; not just individual benefit, but general happiness.
What does the maximization principle state in utilitarianism?
Actions are good if they generate the maximum possible happiness for the most people.
What is the utilitarian view on general happiness?
Morally right actions promote overall happiness for all affected, not just the agent.
What is Rule Utilitarianism?
Moral rules should be followed if they generally produce the greatest happiness.
What is Act Utilitarianism?
Each action is judged individually based on whether it maximizes happiness.
What example illustrates the difference between Rule and Act Utilitarianism?
Saving Hitler: Rule utilitarians say always save drowning people; act utilitarians might say not saving him brings more overall happiness.
What is the focus of Aristotle’s virtue ethics?
The development of good character and the good life (eudaimonia), not isolated moral acts.
What is the highest good according to Aristotle?
Happiness (eudaimonia), achieved through rational activity in accordance with virtue.
What distinguishes humans from animals, according to Aristotle?
The rational part of the soul — reasoning and deliberation.
What are the two aspects of a good action in Aristotelian ethics?
Outer: solving situational challenges; Inner: managing emotions and habits.
How are ethical virtues acquired, according to Aristotle?
Through practice — by repeatedly acting virtuously.
What is the “Golden Mean”?
Virtue lies between two extremes — e.g., courage is the mean between cowardice and rashness.
Is the “mean” in Aristotle’s ethics the same for everyone?
No; it varies depending on the person and situation.
