PR Ethics Ch. 4

Code of Hammurabi

The arguably first known values statement, issued by Babylonian King Hammurabi around 1752 BCE, specifying 300 retributive laws, public welfare rules, socioeconomic classes, and the presumption of innocence.

Ten Commandments

An early code of ethics brought from Mount Sinai by Moses, forming the basis of Judeo-Christian moral norms by prohibiting murder, dishonesty, theft, and adultery.

Martin Luther

A scholar who initiated the Protestant Reformation in 1517 by nailing his complaints about church corruption to a church door, challenging Catholicism and helping shape the Protestant work ethic.

Sobekneferu

The first known woman Pharaoh in ancient Egypt (1991–1802 BCE), whose reign brought agricultural prosperity, stability, and wealth associated with the annual flooding of the Nile.

Hatshepsut

An ancient Egyptian female Pharaoh and "female king" (1479–1458 BCE) whose foreign policy prioritized trade, economic growth, public health, and commerce over military conquest.

Cleopatra

The last Pharaoh of Egypt (69–30 BCE), renowned as a talented diplomat, judicial administrator, and naval commander who used ethical leadership, research, and public diplomacy to preserve Egyptian independence.

Alexander the Great

A warrior-leader (356–323 BCE) who respected and integrated the cultural norms and values of conquered societies with Hellenic rule to build an enduring empire.

Hypatia

A brilliant 4th-century mathematician, astronomer, and Neoplatonist philosopher in Alexandria who taught the role of reason in advancing intellectual and moral development before being killed by a mob.

Socrates

The progenitor of ancient Greek philosophy (469–399 BCE) who emphasized self-reflection, virtue, and questioning authority, famously stating "the unexamined life is not worth living".

Dialectic

A philosophical method of cooperative questioning and discussion used to derive truth, expose contradictions, and generate new insights.

Socratic method

Socrates' questioning approach aimed at uncovering contradictions, applying logic, and seeking truth in public or intellectual debates.

Plato

An eminent student of Socrates who established The Academy, wrote dialogues on justice and the ideal state, and argued that truth, goodness, and virtue are inseparable.

Aristotle

A student of Plato who founded a system of ethics based on observing the world, describing virtue as finding a balance between extremes (the golden mean) guided by practical wisdom to achieve human flourishing.

The unexamined life

Socrates' foundational philosophical premise that a life lacking self-reflection, critical inquiry, and the pursuit of virtue is not worth living.

Theological ethics

Moral rules and doctrines derived from religious traditions, scripture, and divine authority.

Prohibitive rules

Negative rules that explicitly forbid specific unethical behaviors (such as "thou shalt not steal" or "thou shalt not murder").

Proscriptive rules

Stated guidelines or rules that prescribe positive courses of action or moral duties (such as honoring elders or striving for honesty).

Protestant work ethic

A cultural foundation emphasizing diligence, equality, self-reliance, stoicism, and industriousness derived from Reformation traditions.

Organizational structure

The structural design of an organization that dictates communication flow, management decision-making, and how ethical dilemmas are confronted.

Vertical

A centralized, hierarchical organizational structure shaped like a pyramid with top-down communication flow and strict command-and-control layers.

Horizontal

A decentralized, flattened organizational structure focusing on innovation and cross-functional teamwork with peer-to-peer communication flow.

Matrix

A complex or flexible organizational structure using "dotted-line" or as-needed reporting relationships, common in consultancies and public relations agencies.

Charismatic

A traditional leadership style where a leader uses a compelling personality to motivate followers, though it can sometimes lead to capricious decision-making.

Transactional

A leadership style based heavily on expertise and economic exchange, where followers are expected to meet mission goals in exchange for pay and benefits.

Transformational

An aspirational leadership style where a CEO models good behavior and inspires followers to bring out the best in themselves.

Authentic (genuine)

A leadership quality characterized by true integrity, moral courage, and transparent adherence to ethical values.

Servant leader

A leadership style where the leader views themselves as the facilitator of success and servant to everyone in the organization, often utilizing an inverted pyramid structure.

Mission

A strategic management statement focusing on what an organization is uniquely good at delivering, defining its core competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Vision

A strategic statement specifying where an organization aspires to be in 5 to 10 years, driven by the inspiration of a founder or leader.

Values

Core principles and statements used to define and guide the ethical priorities of an organization.