ETHICS & LEADERSHIPETHICS & LEADERSHIP

Prepared by Dr. Tommie Chen 26-27 May 2014

Lesson Overview10 Minutes: Thinking about “Leadership”30 Minutes: Film Viewing/ Worksheet Attempt –

201210 Minutes: Introduction to Ethical Philosophy10 Minutes: Applied Task – Sewol Ferry

Disaster30 Minutes: Task Sheet for Presentations/Final

Product

Preliminary Discussion Questions:

1.How would you define leadership?

1.Why do you think people need leaders? What are the functions of a leader?

1.Is there a difference between a hero and a leader? If so – what is it?

Which quotation do you most agree with & why?

“The exercise of power or influence in social collectivities to meet the needs of the group.” – Gallagher

“The capacity and the will to rally men and women in a common purpose, & the character which inspires confidence.” – Montgomery.

“A great leader must be an educator, bridging the gap between the vision and the familiar. He must also be willing to walk alone to enable the society to follow the path he has selected.” – Kissinger.

“The force by which an individual exerts an influence in releasing, channeling and controlling the thoughts, energies and emotions of others may be direct or indirect; constructive or destructive.” – Dumas et al.

Which quotation do you most agree with & why?

Gallagher Leaders are CHOSEN to meet the collective needs of a group ofPeople.Focus on the functional aspect.

Montgomery

Kissinger

Dumas

Focus on charisma – the ability to rally people to work together for a

common cause for the greater good.

Imparting vital information to the masses at all costs.Must be willing to “walk alone” – and take responsibility for decisions.

The ability to channel positive and negative energies for constructive purposes.

2012

How SHOULD the “tickets” to board the arks be allocated?

What SHOULD be the principles behind the allocations?

What Moral Principles guided the Government Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?

Be sure to use the skills taught using Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning in your Analysis

(Information/ Purpose/ Essential Concepts/ Assumptions/ Consequences/ PoV )

2012 - WorksheetIn YOUR opinion How SHOULD the “tickets” to board the arks

allocated? What SHOULD be the principles behind the

allocations?

1. Random - Every random n-th person (i.e. through a “lottery”)- “Everyone should have a chance to fight for survival”

2. Only to the Privileged:- The Wealthy- The Skilled- The Intelligent and the Qualified- The Americans and the Chinese- The Government Officials

2012 - Worksheet

What moral principles guided the Government Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?

Key Tip: 1.PREDOMINANTLY Kantian?2.PREDOMINANTLY Utilitarian?3.PREDOMINANTLY Ethical Egoist?

2012 - Worksheet What moral principles guided the Government

Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?

Kantian – Doing what is right.Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that. Go on now. Utilitarian – Doing what is in the interest of the human race.You go on, son. It's a brave new world you’re heading to. And a young scientist is going to be worth 20 old politicians.

2012 - Worksheet What moral principles guided the Government

Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?

Kantian – Doing what is right.

Sir, wasn’t it also decided that people have the right to fight for their lives the best way they can? But to be human, is to care for one another and civilization means to work together to create a better life.If that’s true, then there’s nothing human and nothing civilized about what we’re doing here. Ask yourselves – can we really stand by and watch these people die?The moment we stop fighting for each other is the moment we lose our humanity.

2012 - Worksheet What moral principles guided the Government

Leaders/Selected Individuals in their actions?

Ethical Egoist OR Utilitarian

We need to bring people who can contribute.You just want to tell everyone that they’re doomed?There’d be anarchy.You wanna jeopardize the President? Our mission is to ensure the continuity of our species. To save the human race, we have an obligation to stand by the plan that every nation on this flotilla has signed up for. These people are in God’s hands now.Do you want to be responsible for the extinction of the human race?

Quick Recap:

What are the 3 Main Moral Theories?

1.Kantianism2.Utilitarianism3.Ethical Egoism

(1) Kantianism

Acts out of a sense of moral duty/principles.

Needs to do the right thing regardless of consequences or external factors i.e. people or curcumstances.

Willing to sacrifice one’s interests to do what is right.

Doing the RIGHT thing does not necessarily maximise happiness.

Deontological (Kantian) What are the inherent shortcomings with

this philosophy? Focuses purely on the principle of an act

and not the results (overly idealistic – assumes that to be moral is to be rational)

Our motives are often mixed and hidden – HENCE we can never be sure that we are acting out of our sense of duty alone.

(2) Utilitarianism

Acts to achieve the greatest happiness / good for the greatest number of people.

Emphasises the consequences of one’s actions

Willing to do anything to achieve maximum happiness (ends justify the means).

Consequentialist (Utilitarian) What are the inherent shortcomings with

this philosophy? Assumes that increasing welfare or

diminishing misery is the only measure of right and wrong.

Is justice subordinate to the general good?

(3) Ethical Egoism Acts to further one’s self-interest

(what makes me happy, is good and beneficial for me)

Willing to do good only if the action serves one’s self-interest in the long run.

“Every person ought to do only what will further his/her own interests”.

Functions of Great Leadership To provide relevant and inspiring ideas

and goals as a focal point to inspire trust, commitment and sacrifice among the followers.

This trust is based on:1.Ethics – governs a leaders’ actions2.Credibility – Ethos – how one is viewed by

others.

Functions of Great Leadership Garnering/Inspiring Respect and the

Ability to Teach/Transmit Visions. Understanding of human nature and the

specific needs of the followers. Wisdom is the ability to do the right thing at

the right time (while taking the complexities of human thought and experience into account).

Leaders Gone Wrong The downside of leadership gone awry: Fear Death Loss

Highlights the importance of values and principles.

Exercise

BUT Note that heroic figures are always

needed in times of crisis. September 11 Attack on the WTC –

Firefighters/Police of NYC, President George W. Bush

There is a dormant instinct thirsting for a heroic figure to cleave to / to have an ideal to aspire towards.

Exercise

How and Why are today’s heroes different from those of the past?

More individualistic, pragmatic & materialistic.

Value prosperity over freedom (materialism over ideals).

Should focus more wisdom, consultation, values & inspiration rather than on action and force.