Ethics

Question 1

Quick Description of focus:

1. Virtue:
2. Deontoligist:
3. Utilitarianism:

Answer 1

1. Virtue: The Person * Actor
2. Deontoligist: * The Act
3. Utilitarianism: Consequence

Question 2

6. Definition of Ethics

Answer 2

1. Study of right and wrong
2. Attempt to Lead a Rational life
3. The Desire to Purue a pleasure and avoid pain
4. A Mathmatical equation where Good > Bad
5. The Determination of how things out to be
6. Intent to act in your self interest

Question 3

6.1.3 How do personal and professional ethics differ? (p. 123)

Answer 3

Professional: Principles which are explicitly adopted by a group of people (the medical and legal professions both have Professional Codes of Ethics)

Question 4

6.1.4 Name several personal and organizational influences on ethical decision-making. (p. 123)

Answer 4

Personal: (Values) Autonomy - Tolerance - Equality / (Morals): Honest - Respect for Life
Organizational: (Values) - Integreity - Professionalism - Caring - Teamwork / (Ethical Principals) Act based on ethical standards, Honor others - their rights

Question 5

6.2.1 How can the many theories on ethics be loosely grouped? (p. 124)

Answer 5

1. Virtue theories which concentrate on the actor.
2. Deontological theory which concentrates on the act.
3. Utilitarianism theory which concentrates on the consequences.

Question 6

6.2.2 What are virtue ethics? (p. 124)

Answer 6

The central function of human beings is to lead a rational life where rationality is defined as virtuous. * Aristotle
- Virtuous is not perfection, rather it is a mean between two extremes.
* For example, courage is a virtue but being too courageous is not. The pursuit of virtue is a lifelong journey and the journey leads to happiness

Question 7

6.2.3 Describe the advantages and disadvantages of virtue ethics. (p. 124)

Answer 7

Advantages: Allows for bad act done for the right reasons ( llying to protect someone’s life or driving an ambulance with bad brakes to get someone to the hospital
- Distinguishes between good and bad people * Actor* recoginizes that the individual may be bad

Disadvantages: Does not explain how to know what is moral
- obvious for some decisions (murder) but not for others (justified killings)

Question 8

6.2.4 What school of ethics concentrates on the act? (p. 124)

Answer 8

Deontological theory which concentrates on the act. * What is done

Question 9

6.2.5 Describe the advantages/disadvantages of the Deontological school. (p. 124-125)

Answer 9

Advantages: Clearly defines what is moral as being good acts
- Further, it defines how to know what is moral as those acts being in accordance with the Categorical Imperative
- Must recognise that all are equal
Disadvantages: creates a paradox because you can never do anything wrong or not ‘good’, even to prevent a greater wrong (i.e. lie to prevent a murder).

Question 10

6.2.6 How do Utilitarian’s make ethical decisions? (p. 125)

Answer 10

The most basic Utilitarian view is that ethics is the pursuit of pleasure
- Based on theorythat God would not give us a situation where it hurts to do the right thing
- Ethical decision making is possible using a mathematical formula

Question 11

6.2.7 Describe the advantages/disadvantages of utilitarian ethics. (p. 125-126)

Answer 11

Advantages:
- Defines what is moral as being what brings us happiness
- it shows how you can determine what is moral through basic math
- it defines why you should be moral
- Whats best for the most people is best for all

Disadvantages:
- theory ignores consequences we might do what we think will bring us the most happiness but we cannot be certain
- It also ignores what someone meant to do. One person might knowingly donate $20 to charity while the other accidentally drops $20 in the collection box.
*In Utilitarian theory both are morally equal.
- Happiness all the time is impossible

Question 12

6.2.8 What are the inherent problems with these philosophical approaches? (p. 126)

Answer 12

1. We may not agree with the content
2. We may not agree on same set of human and Civil Rights
3. We may not agree on what serves the “common good”

Question 13

6.3.1 What should the goal of leaders be? (p. 126)

Answer 13

The goal of leaders should be to make decisions that are ethically supportable, or ‘right’ and that are beneficial to organizational goals, or ‘good.’

Question 14

6.3.2 What are the four decision-types? Define each. (p. 126-127)

Answer 14

1. Type I – Right/Good Decision: Ethically supportable - Good for Orgnanazation - Most Desirable
2. Type II – Right/Bad Decisions: Ethically Supportable - may not immediately contribute to Organization goals - ex. A Fleet Manager who enforces Hour of Work standards even if it
   means that deliveries are not made on time.
3. Type III – Wrong/Bad: These are against ethical principals - Detrimental to Organization goals ie. ENRON..
4. Type IV – Wrong/Good Decisions: These are against ethical principals but are profitable to Organization -

Question 15

6.3.3 What are the five steps to making ethically-sound decisions? (p. 127)

Answer 15

1. Recognize the ethical issue
2. Get the Facts
3. Analysis - Evaluate alternatives
4. Make a Decision and Test it * Make the Decision making grid & Globe and mail test
5. Act and Reflect on the Decision - Implement - evaluate impact on stake holders - would I repeat?

Question 16

6.3.4 In step one, what questions can you ask to decide is an ethical dilemma exists? (p.128

Answer 16

1. Is there something potentially wrong personally, interpersonally, or socially?
2. Could the conflict, the situation, or the decision be damaging to people or to the community?
3. What does it do to people, who have dignity, rights, and hopes for a better life together?

Question 17

6.3.5 What questions should be asked in step two? (p. 128)

Answer 17

1. What are the relevant facts of the case?
2. What facts are unknown?
3. What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome?
4. Do some have a greater stake because they have a special need or because we have special obligations to them?
5. What are the options for acting?
6. Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted?
7. If you showed your list of options to someone you respect, what would that person say?

Question 18

6.3.6 How can you gather information in step two? (p. 128)

Answer 18

1. Private Interviews
2. Group meetings
3. Review of pertinent Documents
4. Combination of methods

Question 19

6.3.7 What is the ‘Globe and Mail’ test? (p. 129)

Answer 19

1. if you had to explain your decision on television or to a journalist, would you be comfortable doing so?
   - This final litmus test of your decision is sometimes referred to as ‘The Globe and Mail Test’.
2. If the situation became front page news, would the headline be positive about the actions taken by your organization, or would it criticize your organization for lack of judgment?

Question 20

6.4.1 What can a Code of Ethics achieve in an organization? (p. 130)

Answer 20

1. Defines acceptable behavior
2. Provides a Benchmark for self-evaluation
3. Promotes high stands of practice
4. Establishes framesork for professional behavior
5. Acts as a mark of Occupational maturity
6. Provides a vehilce for professional identity

Question 21

6.4.2 Why should a code be tailor-made? (p. 130)

Answer 21

Needs to be spefic to be effective

Question 22

6.4.3 Why should employees be involved in creating the code? (p. 130)

Answer 22

1. The people who will be guided by the code should be actively involved in writing it.
2. The document is bound to be more meaningful, and find higher levels of acceptance, if employees are part of the process

Question 23

6.4.4 Who should be consulted? (p. 130)

Answer 23

Key Stake Holders

Question 24

6.4.5 Should the creation of the Code be outsourced? (p. 130)

Answer 24

1. Hiring a consultant to help write your code can be useful – but don’t let them take over.
2. A consultant can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, and can help you avoid a whole range of pitfalls, from lack of clarity through to the inclusion of too little – or too much – detail
3. At the end of the day, this Code is still yours: it should reflect your organization’s values, principles, and aspirations

Question 25

6.4.6 What is a sunset date? (p. 131)

Answer 25

1. Consider specifying a date for revising and refreshing your Code

Question 26

6.4.7 What topics should be covered in a Code? (p. 131)

Answer 26

1. Conduct 2. Relationships w/ clients 3. Whistle blowing 4. Kickbacks 5. Conflicts of Interest 6. Gifts 7. Privacy 8. Organazation records 9. Outside activities

Question 27

Utilitarian Approach

Answer 27

The ethical action is the one that will produce the greatest balance of benefits over harms.

Question 28

Virtue Approach

Answer 28

The ethical action is the one that embodies the habits and values of humans at their best.

Question 29

Deontological

Answer 29

The ethical action is the one that is done for the right reasons

Question 30

6.1.2 Distinguishing between values, ethics, morals and ethical principles. p. 122-123

Answer 30

1. Personal Values: These are beliefs that are personal - Morals: how those particular Personal beliefs that relate to right & wrong 3. Ethics: Conscious reflection on/ moral beliefs and attitudes 4. Ethical Principals: Guide of ways to transform moral beliefs into actions