Ethics
- Oral code of principles
- Set standards of “good” or “bad” or “wrong” in one’s conduct
Ethical Behavior
- Accepted as good and right
Law, Values, and ethical behavior:
1. Legal behavior is not necessarily ethical behavior.
(letter of the law vs intent of the law)
1. Personal Values help determine individual ethical behavior.
Values – Underlying beliefs and attitude that help determine individual
behavior (Milton Rokeach)
- Terminal Values – Long term goals (things you want in life).
- Instrumental Values – What you are willing to do to get those things.
4 views of Ethical Behavior
1. Individualism View – Does a decision or behavior promote one’s
long term self – interest? (Act for yourself)
2. Justice View – Does a decision or behavior show fairness and
impartiality? (Act for Justice)
3. Moral Rights View – Does a decision or behavior maintain the
fundamental right of all human beings (Act of Principal)
4. Utilitarian View – Does a decision or behavior do a greatest good
for most people? (Act for the greatest good).
Cultural issues in ethical behavior:
- Cultural relativism
o Ethical behavior is always determined by culture context.
- Oral code of principles
- Set standards of “good” or “bad” or “wrong” in one’s conduct
Ethical Behavior
- Accepted as good and right
Law, Values, and ethical behavior:
1. Legal behavior is not necessarily ethical behavior.
(letter of the law vs intent of the law)
1. Personal Values help determine individual ethical behavior.
Values – Underlying beliefs and attitude that help determine individual
behavior (Milton Rokeach)
- Terminal Values – Long term goals (things you want in life).
- Instrumental Values – What you are willing to do to get those things.
4 views of Ethical Behavior
1. Individualism View – Does a decision or behavior promote one’s
long term self – interest? (Act for yourself)
2. Justice View – Does a decision or behavior show fairness and
impartiality? (Act for Justice)
3. Moral Rights View – Does a decision or behavior maintain the
fundamental right of all human beings (Act of Principal)
4. Utilitarian View – Does a decision or behavior do a greatest good
for most people? (Act for the greatest good).
Cultural issues in ethical behavior:
- Cultural relativism
o Ethical behavior is always determined by culture context.
