1.Introduction:
Ethics: The basic concepts and fundamental principles of right human conduct. It includes study of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of land, concern for health and safety and, increasingly, also for the natural environment.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/ethics.html
“Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong.”
“Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.”
“Being ethical is doing what the law requires.”
“Ethics consists of the standards of behaviour our society accepts.”
Ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards. As mentioned above, feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one’s standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.
What is Ethics?
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html
Unethics : Unethical behaviour often falls into a gray area where people are unsure of how to react. Professional organizations, religious groups and individuals may have differing definitions of “unethical behaviour.” The law also addresses unethical behaviour, although not all actions considered unethical by an individual or a group would fall into the category of unethical behaviour. Employees and group members benefit from specific guidance on what to consider in assessing a situation, so an organization should have its own ethical standards that all staff or members agree to abide by upon being hired or joining. The Association of Authors’ Representatives provides a clear example in its Canon of Ethics, which not only serves as a guide or members but also for others in the publishing industry.
How to Report Unethical Behavior in the Workplace
http://www.ehow.com/how_7741792_report-unethical-behavior-workplace.html#ixzz25e9aJ3Hv
2. Unethical incident: in your past working life.
………………………………
Scenario 1> explain the incident
Scenario 2> explain the incident
3.Teleological ethical theory:
Consequentialism is the idea that only consequences count. So, under this view, someone who thinks all day long about killing and violence but actually hurts nobody would not be viewed as unethical. Consequentialists favour their approach due to its focus on real-world outcomes and the fact that it does not impose moral rules on oneself or on to others. The argument is that it is a less repressive approach. The USA foreign policy since World War 2 is clearly consequentialist. The “Coalition of the Willing” believed (or claimed to believe) that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was necessary (the doctrine of the pre-emptive strike) to protect American citizens from the terrorism threat. The idea was that the benefits (to America and Americans) would exceed the costs of the death and injury toll. Clearly no deontological principle can explain the war on Iraq since the US did not intervene in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and has not intervened recently in Zimbabwe. Interestingly, the Australian philosopher Raimond Gaita (2004) argues that the doctrine of the pre-emptive strike is immoral (he favours virtue ethics) and he references the Christian New Testament verse “Do not do evil that good might result” (St Paul’s Epistle to the Romans 3:8; New International Version). The Iraq invasion can be viewed as an “evil” deliberately undertaken in the hope that “good” might later result.
Explain 4 parts with definition: Consequentialism can be further sub-divided into four types, ranging from the most selfish to the most considerate:
ethical egoism;
Belief that people should act in a way that maximizes their own good;
Effect on other people of much less consequence;
Behave in their own interest;
Generally consistent with PAT assumptions.
ethical elitism;
Behaviour should maximize the benefits to those at the top of social structure.
E.g. If the firm’s accounting is questioned then fire the Accountant to protect the Finance Director/CFO
ethical parochialism;
Behaviour should protect YOUR OWN ‘in-group’;
Group could be YOUR OWN family, football club, company, religious group, accounting profession, ethnic group, etc.
Are professional Codes of Ethics & CFs an example of ethical parochialism? Probably yes! Improve profession’s image
ethical universalism; Ethical Universalism
Ethical behaviour should be concerned with the good of all
John Stewart Mill (1806-73) – greatest happiness principle
E.g. Accounting standards to protect all of society not just shareholders
4.Teleological ethical theory to evaluate incident.
Egoism: ethical egoism;
Belief that people should act in a way that maximizes their own good;
Effect on other people of much less consequence;
Behave in their own interest;
Generally consistent with PAT assumptions.
Parochialism: ethical parochialism;
Behaviour should protect YOUR OWN ‘in-group’;
Group could be YOUR OWN family, football club, company, religious group, accounting profession, ethnic group, etc.
Are professional Codes of Ethics & CFs an example of ethical parochialism? Probably yes! Improve profession’s image
5.Deontological ethical theory: (definition + example+2 types)
Based on duties and rights
Duties – activities a person is expected to perform
Rights – behaviours a person expects of others
An accountant has the duty to look after a client’s interests while the client has the right to the accountant’s best work
This theory judges the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to rules. Whether an action is ethical depends on the intentions behind the decisions rather than the outcomes that result.
This ethical theory is based on the work of Immanuel Kant. All individual actions should be done, as if they could become universal law (i.e. categorical imperative). Among the various formulations of the categorical imperative, two are particularly worth noting:
Always act in such a way that you can also resolve that the maxim of your action should become a universal law (categorical imperative)
Act so that you treat humanity, both in your own person and in that of another, always as an end and never merely as a means (principle of ends)
Deontology does not look primarily at consequences of actions, but examines a situation for the essential moral worth of the intention of act, or rightness or wrongness of the act. Many religious traditions are based upon deontology.
Example: Individuals would examine their intentions to determine the ethics of their actions. For example, we have begun not to use restraints on older people for their safety and to think of other measures. We do this because restraining someone against his or her will could not be considered a universal law.
Ethical theories that maintain that the moral rightness or wrongness of an action depends on its intrinsic qualities, and not (as in consequentialism) on the nature of its consequences. Deontological ethics holds that at least some acts are morally wrong in themselves (e.g., lying, breaking a promise, punishing the innocent, murder). It often finds expression in slogans such as “Duty for duty’s sake.” Deontological theories are often formulated in such a way that the rightness of an action consists in its conformity to a moral rule or command, such as “Do not bear false witness.” The most important exponent of deontological ethics is Immanuel Kant. See also categorical imperative
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/deontological+ethics
“Theological Ethics”
Relies on religion
Rules are set down by religious literature, e.g. Koran or Bible or Dao or Confucius.
Bible: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (the Christian Golden Rule in St Matthew 7:12) and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (St Luke 10:27). But self-centred human nature says: “Who is my neighbour?”
“Social Contract” Theory – or “Licence to operate”
Assumes a “social contract” between the individual and society and corporation and society.
Unwritten agreement based on custom.
Failure to comply with “contract” results in unethical behaviour and penalties imposed by society.
Normative basis of Legitimacy and Stakeholder Theories covered in Week 8. Society’s expectations can change over time, e.g. now more demanding toward companies regarding environmental damage. Society can boycott a company/country e.g. apartheid regime in South Africa.
6.Deontological ethical theory to evaluate incident:
……..
Social contract: “Social Contract” Theory – or “Licence to operate”
Assumes a “social contract” between the individual and society and corporation and society.
Unwritten agreement based on custom.
Failure to comply with “contract” results in unethical behaviour and penalties imposed by society.
Normative basis of Legitimacy and Stakeholder Theories covered in Week 8. Society’s expectations can change over time, e.g. now more demanding toward companies regarding environmental damage. Society can boycott a company/country e.g. apartheid regime in South Africa.
7. Unethical conduct: Many employees find that discovering unethical behaviour among co-workers actually tests their own values and ethical behaviours. After all, unethical behaviour that is not illegal frequently falls in a grey area between right and wrong that make it difficult to decide what to do when it is encountered. Furthermore, different people have different views regarding what is ethical and what is unethical. For example, some people feel that it is alright to tell a little “white lie”, or to make one long distance call on the company’s nickel, as long as they can justify it in their mind.
When employees discover other employees doing something that they know is wrong by the company’s standards, their own sense of what is right and what is wrong instantly comes into question. That employee needs to consider how s/he feels about that particular activity, as well as informing about that activity, or turning a blind eye.
Unethical Behavior
Unethical Behavior – It’s Impact on Today’s Workplace
http://www.anonymousemployee.com/csssite/sidelinks/unethical_behavior.php
8. Conclusion: re view about ethics and unthics +make prediction
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