Evaluating Business Ethics

Evaluating Business Ethics

Objectives

• Explain the role of normative ethical theory in ethical decision-making.

• Identify international differences in perspectives on ethical theories.

• Understand Western modernist (utilitarianism, duty ethics, rights, justice) and alternative ethical theories (virtue ethics, feminist ethics, discourse ethics, postmodernism).

• Conduct a pluralist business ethics evaluation.

Key Concepts

• Normative Ethical Theories: Moral guidance for right and wrong.

• Ethical Absolutism: Objective moral principles.

• Ethical Relativism: Context-dependent morality.

• Ethical Pluralism: Balances diverse moral convictions with consensus on principles.

International Perspectives

• US vs. Europe: US focuses on individual morality within capitalism; Europe emphasizes institutional ethics and justifications.

• Western vs. Asian Ethics: Western is philosophically driven; Asian is influenced by religion and community.

Western Modernist Theories

• Consequentialist: Focus on outcomes (e.g., egoism, utilitarianism).

• Non-Consequentialist: Focus on motivations (e.g., ethics of duties, rights, justice).

Justice

• Fair Treatment: Procedural vs. distributive justice; egalitarian vs. non-egalitarian views.

• John Rawls' Theory of Justice: Emphasizes equal rights, inequalities benefiting the least advantaged.

Alternative Ethical Perspectives

• Emphasize virtues, relationships, norms, and emotional awareness in ethics.

Conclusions

Ethical decision-making integrates virtue, relationships, norm procedures, and empathy for responsible choices.