Defining Ethics: Expected Outputs
Defining Ethics: Expected Outputs
Defining Ethics
1. Define ethics
2. Explain the role of values in ethical decision making.
3. Understand opposing ethical theories and their limitations.
4. Discuss ethical relativism.
5. Explain an ethical dilemma and apply a process to resolve it.
Expected Outputs:
1. Defining Ethics: Understanding Ethics
2. Knowing what is right or wrong
3. Right or Wrong: Case Study
MODULE 1 – Defining Ethics 1|PAGE
WHAT IS ETHICS?
The manner by which we try to live our lives
according to a standard of “right” or “wrong”
behavior—in both how we think and behave
toward others and how we would like them to
think and behave toward us.
For some, it is a conscious choice to follow a set of moral
standards or ethical principles that provide guidance on
how they should conduct themselves in their daily lives.
For others, where the choice is not so clear, they look to
the behavior of others to determine what is an acceptable
standard of right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
How they arrive at the definition of what’s right or wrong Source: https://www.freepik.com/premium-
is a result of many factors, including how they were vector/boy-s-choice-right-wrong_2748897.htm
VALUE CONFLICTS
The impact of a person’s or a group’s value
system can be seen in the extent to which their
daily lives are influenced by those values.
However, the greatest test of any personal value
system comes when you are presented with a
situation that places those values in direct conflict
with an action. For example:
Lying is wrong—but what if you were
lying to protect the life of a loved one?
Stealing is wrong—but what if you were
stealing food for a starving child? Source:https://www.standstrongministries.org/ar
ticles/who-determines-what-is-right-and-wrong/
Killing is wrong—but what if you had to
kill someone in self-defense to protect your own life?
Of course, the danger with the Golden Rule is that not everyone thinks like you, acts like you,
or believes in the same principles that you do, so to live your life on the assumption that your
pursuit of an ethical ideal will match others’ ethical ideals could get you into trouble. For
example, if you were the type of person who values honesty in your personal value system, and
you found a wallet on the sidewalk, you would try to return it to its rightful owner. However,
if you lost your wallet, could you automatically expect that the person who found it would
make the same eff ort to return it to you?
VIRTUE ETHICS
A concept of living your life according to a commitment to the achievement of a clear
ideal— what sort of person would I like to become, and how do I go about becoming
that person?
Are normative ethical theories which emphasize virtues of mind, character and sense
of honesty. Virtue ethicists discuss the nature and definition of virtues and other related
problems that focuses on the consequences of action.
UNIVERSAL ETHICS
Universal Ethics argue that there are certain and universal principles that should apply to all
ethical judgments. Actions are taken out of duty and obligation to a purely moral ideal rather
than based on the needs of the situation, since the universal principles are seen to apply to
everyone, everywhere, all the time.
ETHICAL RELATIVISM
When the limitations of each of these theories are reviewed, it becomes clear that there is no
truly comprehensive theory of ethics, only a choice that is made based on your personal value
system. In this context, it is easier to understand why, when faced with the requirement to select
a model of how we ought to live our lives, many people choose the idea of ethical relativism,
whereby the traditions of their society, their personal opinions, and the circumstances of the
present moment define their ethical principles. The idea of relativism implies some degree of
flexibility as opposed to strict black-and-white rules. It also offers the comfort of being a part
of the ethical majority in your community or society instead of standing by your individual
beliefs as an outsider from the group. In our current society, when we talk about peer pressure
ETHICAL DILEMMAS
The basic assumption of ethical theory is
that you as an individual or community are
in control of all the factors that influence the
choices that you make. In reality, your
ethical principles are most likely to be
tested when you face a situation in which
there is no obvious right or wrong decision
but rather a right or right answer. Such
situations are referred to as ethical
dilemmas.
As we saw earlier in our review of value
systems and value conflicts, any idealized
set of principles or standards inevitably
faces some form of challenge. For ethical
theories, that challenge takes the form of a
dilemma in which the decision you must
make requires you to make a right choice
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If a three-step model seems too simple, Arthur Dobrin identified eight questions you should
consider when resolving an ethical dilemma:
1. What are the facts? Know the facts as best you can. If your facts are wrong, you’re
liable to make a bad choice
2. What can you guess about the facts you don’t know? Since it is impossible to know
all the facts, make reasonable assumptions about the missing pieces of information.
3. What do the facts mean? Facts by themselves have no meaning. You need to interpret
the information in light of the values that are important to you.
4. What does the problem look like through the eyes of the people involved? The ability
to walk in another’s shoes is essential. Understanding the problem through a variety of
perspectives increases the possibility that you will choose wisely.
5. What will happen if you choose one thing rather than another? All actions have
consequences. Make a reasonable guess as to what will happen if you follow a particular
course of action. Decide whether you think better or harm will come of your action.
6. What do your feelings tell you? Feelings are facts too. Your feelings about ethical
issues may give you a clue as to parts of your decision that your rational mind may
overlook.
ETHICAL REASONING
When we are attempting to resolve an ethical
dilemma, we follow a process of ethical reasoning.
We look at the information available to us and
draw conclusions based on that information in
relation to our own ethical standards. Lawrence
Kohlberg developed a framework that presents the
argument that we develop a reasoning process
over time, moving through six distinct stages
(classified into three levels of moral development)
as we are exposed to major influences in our lives.
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College of Management
Module 1: Worksheet 1 in BA 314
Defining Ethics: Understanding Ethics
1st Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021
Exercise
Name: Course/Yr./Sec.:
Directions: These questions are for student evaluation to determine if you have understood the
lessons discussed in the module. Answer the following questions below and put your answers
on the space provided.
1. What is the definition of ethics?
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2. What is a moral compass, and how would you apply it?
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3. Explain the difference between intrinsic and instrumental values.
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4. List the four basic categories of ethics.
1.
2.
3.
4.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or recommendations on how will the subject teacher
improve the discussion please write them on the space below. Thank you! ☺
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College of Management
Module 1: Worksheet 2 in BA 314
Defining Ethics: Knowing what is right or wrong
1st Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021
Exercise
Name: Course/Yr./Sec.:
Directions: These questions are for student evaluation to determine if you have understood the
lessons discussed in the module. Answer the following questions below and put your answers
on the space provided.
Answer and defend the following questions based on your Ethical beliefs and values. Write
your answers on the space provided after each question.
College of Management
Module 1: Worksheet 3 in BA 314
Right or Wrong: Case Study
1st Semester, A.Y. 2020-2021
Evaluation
Name: Course/Yr./Sec.:
Directions: Read the case study and analyze the situation carefully then answer the questions
related to the case study that was read. Write your answers on the space provided after the
questions.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the reasons and rationalizations that could have prompted Mr. Lewis to have
moral myopia and avoid focusing on the fact that he was falsifying students’ test scores?
Alternatively, what could have prompted Mr. Lewis not to have moral myopia?
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2. Who are the stakeholders in this case study, and what was at stake for each party? How
might each have influenced Mr. Lewis’ actions? Explain.
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3. Assume Mr. Lewis decided to break away from moral myopia and gave voice to his values.
What do you think he should have done and why? Your answer should include, but not be
limited to, the arguments that Mr. Lewis should have made, to whom, and in what context.
Present a plan of action.
Additional Reading:
https://www.formpl.us/blog/workplace-ethics
https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-philosophy
https://iep.utm.edu/ethics/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml
References:
Joseph L. Badaracco Jr., Defi ning Moments: When Managers Must Choose between
Right and Right (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 1997), pp. 41–42.
The Center for Business and Ethics, Loyola Marymount University,
www.ethicsandbusiness.org/strategy.htm.
Arthur Dobrin, Ethics for Everyone: How to Increase Your Moral Intelligence (New
York: Wiley, 2002), pp. 31–32.
Lawrence Kohlberg, Essays in Moral Development, Vol. I, Th e Philosophy of Moral
Development (New York: Harper & Row, 1981); Lawrence Kohlberg, Essays in
Moral Development, Vol. II, Th e Psychology of Moral Development (New York:
Harper & Row, 1984).
Image Sources:
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https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/appraise-vs-apprise-meaning
https://www.standstrongministries.org/articles/who-determines-what-is-right-and-wrong/
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