Ethics
©Dr. Emeric Solymossy
The Pyramid of
Social Responsibility
Source: Carroll, “The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility”, reprinted from Business
Horizons (July/August 1991), pg. 39-48
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company
Ethical Philosophies
1. Utilitarianism
(Bentham & Mills)
 Ethics of consequences
2. Deontology
(Kant)
 Ethics of Duty (Ethical laws)
 Principles willed into Universal laws
 Treat people as ends (not means)
3. Virtues
(Aristotle)
 Ethics of Character
Pressures?
External:
Internal:
Associations
Books
Self-Concept
Pursuit of
Accountability
Openness
Excellence
Honesty Respecting Caring for Fairness
Others
Others
Responsible Integrity
PromiseFidelity
Citizenship
keeping
Experiences
Background
Books
Family
Self-Concept
Associations
Faith
1. Standard




How we should behave
Measure of character
More than what you “must” do
Sometimes, not doing what you
“want” to
2. Exercise in self-control
 Commitment to do what is right,
good, and proper
The Individual in Context
Determinants of Moral Behavior
Characteristics
(Moral Intensity) of the Issue
Social
Characteristics
Relationships
with “others”
Type of
Relationships
Steps towards moral behavior
Recognize
the moral
Issue
Structure of
Relationships
Make a
Moral
Judgment
(establish
Intent)
Engage in
Moral
Behavior
Individual
Characteristics
Cognitive
Dissonance
Situational
Characteristics
Level of Cognitive Moral
Development
Ethics Exercise
Adopted with permission from http://www.Businessballs.com, copyright Alan Chapman, 2003
1. If you knew a woman who was
pregnant, who had eight children
already; three of whom were deaf,
two who were blind, one mentally
retarded, and she herself had syphilis,
would you recommend that she have an
abortion?
1.
2.
Writing assignment….
Plagiarism


* P = Policies
Is it consistent with my organization's policies,
procedures and guidelines?


* L= Legal
Is it acceptable under the applicable laws and
regulations?


* U = Universal
Does it conform to the universal principles/values
my organization has adopted?


* S= Self
Does it satisfy my personal definition of right,
good and fair?
It is time to elect the world leader, and
yours is the deciding vote. Here are the
facts on the three candidates:
A. He associates with crooked politicians and consults
with astrologers. He’s had two mistresses. He also
chain smokes and drinks up to ten Martinis a day
Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. He was ejected from office twice, sleeps until noon,
used opium in college and drinks a large amounts of
whiskey every evening.
Winston Churchill
C. He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian,
doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't
had any extra-marital affairs.
Adolph Hitler
Which of these candidates would be your choice?
A student asked me if she could use my name for an
employment reference. She has been in two of my
classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a
rather long time and I know her well – we’re friends.
She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am
very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do
not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she
is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that
job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of
other things. But this position is not where her
strengths lie. So what do I do?
Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002
A student asked me if she could use my name for an
employment reference. She has been in two of my
classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a
rather long time and I know her well – we’re friends.
She's a good person and a dependable person. But, I am
very uncomfortable about giving a job reference. I do
not feel she has the skills or ability to tackle the job she
is seeking. I would personally never hire her for that
job. That's not to say she wouldn't be great in a lot of
other things. But this position is not where her
strengths lie. So what do I do?
What kind of friend and mentor would I be if I refused
to give a reference? Besides, what harm is there. All I
have to do is answer a few questions and keep my
personal opinions to myself. But if she gets the job and
fails, have I really been a friend? Do I give a reference
based on the value of loyalty?
Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002
A student asked me if she could use my name for an
employment reference. She has been in two of my
classes and she’s been a student aid worker with us for a
rather long time and I know her well. She's a good
What
friend and mentor
be very
if I refused
personkind
and of
a dependable
person. would
But, IIam
to give a reference?
what
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All I
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But ifhire
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not Itoreally
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wouldn't
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great
in aalot
of other
based on
the
value
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things.
But
this
position
is not where her strengths lie.
So what do I do?
She is not a good match for this job, no matter how
much she wants it. She has great strengths, but not in
the areas required in this position. If I give her a
recommendation and she doesn't make it on the job that
reflects on me as well. If she doesn't get the job
because of me she will be disappointed and discouraged.
Do I not give a reference based on the value of honesty?
Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002
A student asked me if she could use my name for an
employment reference. She has been in two of my
classes
andof
she’s
been
a student
worker
us for a
What kind
friend
and
mentor aid
would
I be with
if I refused
rather
time and Besides,
I know her
well.
She's
a goodAll I
to give long
a reference?
what
harm
is there.
person
a dependable
person.
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She
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Sheor
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that
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because
she will be disappointed and discouraged.
So what of
do me
I do?
Do I not give a reference based on the value of honesty?
There is no "correct" answer to this dilemma. If I place
a high value on honesty, the ethical response is not to
give the reference and to explain my reasons fully. If I
value loyalty, I may write a letter of reference carefully
choosing my words to highlight her actual skills.
Adapted From Mary V. Merrill, “Leadership and Ethics in Volunteer Management, April, 2002
Evidence Of Ethical Leadership
1. Sure signs that my boss
(organization’s leader) exhibits
ethical leadership are:
1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
What do you use to measure ethicity?