Utilitarianism holds that we should judge the merit of an act by its foreseeable consequences. Actions are good when they produce benefit or prevent harm. There are two divisions: Act Utilitarianism – The ethical merit of an act is judged by the immediate and direct consequences of the action. Rule Utilitarianism – The ethical merit of an act is judged …
Creating a Sustainable Ethical Culture
Michael Josephson discusses going beyond an ethics code and creating workplaces with sustainable ethical cultures.
The Seven-Step Path to Better Decisions
We make thousands of decisions daily. Most do not justify extended forethought but when confronted by major decisions with no clear answers it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. This seven-step guide to making good decisions is an excerpt from the book Making Ethical Decisions . 1. Stop and Think One of the most important steps to better decisions is …
Decision-Making Models: The Golden Rule
This most basic and useful ethical theory, sometimes called the “Rule of Reciprocity,” has a long history: Confucius (500 B.C.): “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” Aristotle (325 B.C.): “We should behave to others as we wish them to behave to us.” From the Mahabharata (200 B.C.): “Do nothing to thy neighbor which …
Decision Making Models: Kant’s Categorical Imperative
According to Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), the moral character of an action depends solely on the principle behind it – not upon the consequences it produces. Ethical obligations are “higher truths,” which we must obey regardless of the results. According to Kant, moral obligations are absolute and do not allow for exceptions or extenuating circumstances. A major virtue of Kant’s duty …
Unethical Behavior Worsens Productivity
“Nobody . . . should have any doubts of the linkages between poor ethics in the workplace and low productivity . . . When workers don’t trust each other and their supervisors, then morale is low, stress is high and output is undermined.” – Kenneth C. Frazier (2003 National Business Ethics Survey) Consider: Companies without a code of ethics do …