1/41
Flashcards on Ethical Theories and Decision-Making
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
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.