Week 5 Flashcards
what does the concept of morality lie in?
the idea of what should be done
what is macroethics?
-the universal theories since the enlightenment that are based on consequentialist and non-consequentialist approaches.
- These theories are likely to be useful in analysing
major ethical dilemmas in business, such as bribery, corrupt practices and corporate deviance such as Bhopal, Ford, BP, VW
what is normative ethical theories?
= rules, guidelines, principles and approaches that determine right and wrong.
- The macro dimension of ethical theory refers to
‘normative’ understanding of what is right and
wrong in moral relations
what are the two types of normative ethical theories?
- Absolutist, which means universally applicable rules and principles of what is right and what is wrong can be rationally determined. An objective perspective.
- Relativist, which is where claims of what is morally right and wrong depend upon context. Different traditions and cultures in societies will determine ideas of right and wrong. It is a subjective perspective. (Eg international Business will have their own cultures and values in determining what is wrong and right)
what is the traditional approach to moral theory?
- Enlightenment moral theories prescribe ‘universal’ rules and principles that determine right and wrong for any given situation, (Crane & Matten 2007).
- Normative theories are those that propose to prescribe the ethically correct way of acting.
- Descriptive theories are those that seek to describe how ethical decisions are actually made in practice.
what are the two approaches to ethical theories from the enlightenment?
- Consequentialist, such as the utilitarianism by Bentham. focuses on how we create our intentions, what are the factors that motivate us. how can we define right and wrong?
- Non-consequentialist, such as the deontology by Kant. focuses on the ends not means, if the end product is for the greater good then that would be enough to determine if the action is good or bad.
what is utilitarianism by Bentham?
- According to utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it results in the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people affected by the action.
- Basic foundation is the ‘greatest
happiness principle’, the ultimate consequentialist principle as it focuses on solely the consequences of an action, weighs good against bad - Based on cost-benefit analysis
- Nowadays, utility is about ‘preferences’ of the individual, makes it harder to achieve
what is the first problem with utilitarianism?
- subjectivity: the subjective question of what/who is incorporated into the calculation is just as important as the decision about what the consequence is likely to be for them
what are the two revisions of the utilitarianism theory after the issue of subjectivity came up?
- Act utilitarianism looks to single actions and bases the moral judgement on the amount of pleasure and the amount of pain this single action causes. (Bentham)
- Rule utilitarianism looks at classes of action and ask whether the underlying principles of an action produce more pleasure than pain for society in the long run. (John Stuart Mill).
what are the other two issues with utilitarianism?
- Quantification: difficult to assign costs and benefits to every situation and in business terms, apply monetary values
- Distribution of utility: by assessing the greatest good for the greatest number, the interest of minorities are overlooked
what is Kant’s theory of deontology about?
- Kant argued that we are rational beings who have free will to make our own choices. therefore we are not ruled by our emotions but we are moral actors who can make their own rational decisions regarding right and wrong
- he believed immaturity is the inability to use one’s own understanding without the guidance of another
what is the categorical imperative by Kant?
- Maxim 1 - Consistency: act only according to the maxim (rule/principle) by which you can, at the same time will become universal law
- Maxim 2 - Human Dignity: act so that you treat humanity always as an end and never as a means only
- Maxim 3 - Universality: act only so that the will through its maxims could regard itself at the same time as universally lawgiving
what is Kants moral test?
- Regarding maxim 1, would we want everyone to act according to the principles of our action? universal law.
- Regarding maxim 2, are you using people to further your own ends?
- Regarding maxim 3, would rational actors endorse the principles of our actions? would you be happy if the media found out about your actions?
Did Kant live by his own theories?
- When Kant was suffering ill health in his later years, his
sister came to live with him so she could care for him. - He would not eat meals with her at his table because,
he said, of her ‘simplicity’! She was an uneducated and
ordinary person who could not hold a conversation with
him on his level. So, she was really just a ‘means’ to his
own ‘ends’!!
what are the issues with Kantianism?
- undervaluing outcomes: as this approach focuses on duty not outcomes, Kant doesn’t allow for cases where a little rule bending might be for the best, they don’t go further to see how outcomes affect different actors.
- misplaced optimism: Kant emphasises that the only morally acceptable motivation for a certain act is to do one’s duty for its own sake, is extreme
