Ethical Decision-making

Craig Dunn, Ph.D.MEET U.S. program

MEET U.S.

Ethics Overview

• What is the most serious ethical dilemma you have faced in the workplace?

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• Ethics is concerned with the following:–Good vs Bad–Right vs Wrong–Fair vs Unfair–Praise vs Blame

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

Social Contract Theory

Morality consists in the set of rules,governing how people are to treat

one another,that rational people will agree to

accept,for their mutual benefit,on the condition that others follow

those rules as well.

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• Deontology:– An ethical theory that holds that

actions are right or wrong independent of their consequences

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Utilitarianism:– An ethical theory that holds that

actions are right if they produce, or tend to produce, the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of persons

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Justice:– Consists in giving each person

his or her due, treating equals equally and unequals unequally

•Distributive•Procedural•Compensatory•Retributive

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Ethic of Care:– Asks us to recognize and take

seriously the moral worth of relationships, particularly those characterized by caring

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?– Promote caring relationships?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Libertarianism:– Suggest right action consists in

maximizing the capacity for free, informed personal choice

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?– Promote caring relationships?– Advance personal liberty?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Virtue theory:– Focus is on achieving our

personal ethical ideal–a matter of who we are, not what we do

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

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• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?– Promote caring relationships?– Advance personal liberty?– Stimulate personal ideals?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Land Ethic:– A thing is right when it tends to

preserve the beauty, stability, and integrity of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Does the contemplated action:– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?– Promote caring relationships?– Advance personal liberty?– Stimulate personal ideals?– Contribute to sustainability?

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

principles

outcomes

fairness

caring

liberty

character

sustainability

1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

• Gather the facts• Does the contemplated action:

– Conform to important principles?– Create more good than harm?– Lead to fair outcomes?– Promote caring relationships?– Advance personal liberty?– Stimulate personal ideals?– Contribute to sustainability?

• Think creatively about potential actions• Check your gut

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

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•Avoid all appearance of impropriety

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

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•Do not sacrifice the public good for private gain

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

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•Operate at all times with humility, never underestimating your capacity for self-deception

Executive Entrepreneurial Training Program Ethical Decision-making

MEET U.S.

Ethical Decision-making