Ethics

©Dr. Emeric Solymossy

The Pyramid of Social Responsibility

Source: Carroll, “The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility”, reprinted from BusinessHorizons (July/August 1991), pg. 39-48

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company

Ethical Philosophies

1. Utilitarianism (Bentham & Mills)

Ethics of consequences2. Deontology (Kant)

Ethics of Duty (Ethical laws) Principles willed into Universal laws Treat people as ends (not means)

3. Virtues (Aristotle)

Ethics of Character

Pressures?

External:Associations

Internal:BooksSelf-Concept

Integrity

Honesty

Promise-keeping

Fidelity

Fairness

Caring for

Others

Respecting

OthersResponsible

Citizenship

Accountability

Openness

Experiences

Family AssociationsFaithSelf-ConceptBackgroun

d

Pursuit of Excellence

Books

1. Standard How we should behave Measure of character More than what you “must” do Sometimes, not doing what you

“want” to2. Exercise in self-control

Commitment to do what is right, good, and proper

The Individual in Context

Determinants of Moral Behavior

Characteristics(Moral Intensity) of the

IssueSocial Characteristi

cs

Relationships with “others”

Type of Relationships

Structure of Relationships

IndividualCharacteristic

s

SituationalCharacteristic

sLevel of Cognitive Moral

Development

Cognitive

Dissonance

Recognize

the moralIssue

Make aMoral

Judgment(establis

hIntent)

Engage in

MoralBehavior

Steps towards moral behavior

Ethics ExerciseAdopted with permission from http://www.Businessballs.com, copyright Alan

Chapman, 2003

1. If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had eight children already; three of whom were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she herself had syphilis, would you recommend that she have an abortion?

1. Writing assignment….2. Plagiarism

* P = Policies Is it consistent with my organization's policies,

procedures and guidelines?

* L= Legal Is it acceptable under the applicable laws and

regulations?

* U = Universal Does it conform to the universal

principles/values my organization has adopted?

* S= Self Does it satisfy my personal definition of right,

good and fair?

It is time to elect the world leader, and yours is the deciding vote. Here are the

facts on the three candidates:

A. He associates with crooked politicians and consults with astrologers. He’s had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks up to ten Martinis a day

B. He was ejected from office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a large amounts of whiskey every evening.

C. He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any extra-marital affairs.

Which of these candidates would be your choice?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Winston Churchill

Adolph Hitler

A student asked me if she could use my name for an employment reference. She has been in two of my classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a rather long time and I know her well – we’re friends. She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of other things. But this position is not where her strengths lie. So what do I do?

Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002

What kind of friend and mentor would I be if I refused to give a reference? Besides, what harm is there. All I have to do is answer a few questions and keep my personal opinions to myself. But if she gets the job and fails, have I really been a friend? Do I give a reference based on the value of loyalty?

A student asked me if she could use my name for an employment reference. She has been in two of my classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a rather long time and I know her well – we’re friends. She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of other things. But this position is not where her strengths lie. So what do I do?

Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002

What kind of friend and mentor would I be if I refused to give a reference? Besides, what harm is there. All I have to do is answer a few questions and keep my personal opinions to myself. But if she gets the job and fails, have I really been a friend? Do I give a reference based on the value of loyalty?

She is not a good match for this job, no matter how much she wants it. She has great strengths, but not in the areas required in this position. If I give her a recommendation and she doesn't make it on the job that reflects on me as well. If she doesn't get the job because of me she will be disappointed and discouraged. Do I not give a reference based on the value of honesty?

A student asked me if she could use my name for an employment reference. She has been in two of my classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a rather long time and I know her well. She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of other things. But this position is not where her strengths lie. So what do I do?

Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002

Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002

What kind of friend and mentor would I be if I refused to give a reference? Besides, what harm is there. All I have to do is answer a few questions and keep my personal opinions to myself. But if she gets the job and fails, have I really been a friend? Do I give a reference based on the value of loyalty?

She is not a good match for this job, no matter how much she wants it. She has great strengths, but not in the areas required in this position. If I give her a recommendation and she doesn't make it on the job that reflects on me as well. If she doesn't get the job because of me she will be disappointed and discouraged. Do I not give a reference based on the value of honesty? There is no "correct" answer to this dilemma. If I place a high value on honesty, the ethical response is not to give the reference and to explain my reasons fully. If I value loyalty, I may write a letter of reference carefully choosing my words to highlight her actual skills.

A student asked me if she could use my name for an employment reference. She has been in two of my classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a rather long time and I know her well. She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of other things. But this position is not where her strengths lie. So what do I do?

Evidence Of Ethical Leadership

1. Sure signs that my boss (organization’s leader) exhibits ethical leadership are:1. __________________________2. __________________________3. __________________________

What do you use to measure ethicity?