Ethical Theories and Decision-Making

Flashcards on Ethical Theories and Decision-Making

Kantian Deontological Ethics (Duty Ethics)

Morality grounded in duty, not consequences; act only on principles everyone could follow; treat individuals as ends, not means.

Act Utilitarianism

Morality based on consequences of individual actions; seek greatest happiness or least suffering for most people, even if actions seem questionable; evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Rule Utilitarianism

Morality based on long-term outcomes of following general rules; rules are moral if widespread use benefits society overall; balances stability with utilitarian flexibility.

Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics

Ethics grounded in character and habitual practice of virtues (honesty, courage, compassion); flourishing life through virtue; Practical wisdom guides actions.

Situational Ethics

Morality depends on the specific context; emphasizes love, compassion, and practical benefit; flexible but criticized for lack of consistency.

Contractarianism

Morality arises from social contracts for mutual benefit; based on rational self-interest and cooperation; can exclude outsiders.

Contractualism

Moral rules must be acceptable to all affected parties; emphasizes fairness, equality, and hypothetical agreement.

Communitarianism

Ethics rooted in community, relationships, shared values, and cultural traditions; balances personal rights with collective well-being.

Cosmopolitanism

Moral obligations extend beyond nations and cultures; supports universal human rights, global justice, cooperation, and inclusivity.

Egoism

Self-interest as the basis of morality; personal benefit as the ultimate value, which may indirectly help others.

Net, Net Consequences

Weigh short- and long-term, intended and unintended consequences.

Core Obligations

Duties to law, profession, personal commitments, and organizational mission.

What will work in the world as it is?

Balance ideals with feasibility; be realistic and practical.

Who are we?

Ethics reflect personal identity, culture, community, and relationships.

What can I live with?

Personal integrity, be able to accept and live with the decision.

Core Premise of Ethics

Universal principles require critical thinking and intellectual discipline.

Universal Ethical Standards

Do no harm, respect autonomy, be honest, act justly, keep promises, and care for others.

Human Fallibility

Egocentrism, sociocentrism, self-deception, rationalization, and oversimplification.

Intrinsic Egocentrism

Self-centered natural bias.

Disciplined Ethical Reasoning

Self-reflection, consideration of others, objective standards.

Intellectual Standards

Clarity, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, fairness.

Egocentric Memory

Selective recall for self-interest.

Egocentric Myopia

Short-term focus.

Egocentric Righteousness

Moral superiority.

Egocentric Hypocrisy

Double standards.

Ethical Self-Knowledge

Integrity, humility, self-awareness, questioning biases.

Ethical Leadership

Managing complexity and competing values.

View from the Balcony

Periodically step back for a broader perspective.

Silo Mentality

Lack of communication across groups, reducing ethical awareness.

Groupthink

Desire for harmony suppresses dissent; leads to poor decisions.

Bystander Effect

People fail to act due to diffusion of responsibility.

Ethical Leadership

Acting based on fairness, justice, honesty, and universal principles.

Wicked Problem

Complex, evolving problems without clear solutions.

Clumsy Solution

Blended, adaptive solutions combining multiple perspectives.

Core Obligations

Prioritizing legal, professional, personal, and societal responsibilities.

Instinctual

Gut reactions; may need to be overridden by ethical reasoning.

Historical Precedence

Using past events as guidance; must reflect critically.

Theory

Ethical frameworks (Utilitarianism, Kantianism, Virtue Ethics, etc.).

The Bathsheba Syndrome

Ethical failures often happen at peak success; causes: complacency, privilege, unrestrained control, inflated self-belief; prevention: humility, work-life balance, vigilance, ethical teams.

Tame Problems

Straightforward, managerial solutions.

Wicked Problems

Complex, persistent, interconnected.

Clumsy Solutions

Combine hierarchical, egalitarian, and individualistic approaches.