...Abstract Ethics are a set of acceptable principles that guide the way individuals should act in a given situation. Utilitarian Ethics is morally right acts that bring the most happiness to individuals. For instance, utilitarian ethics main focus is happiness and what decision will produce the maximum amount of happiness for everyone involved. Jeremy Bentham believed that individuals were governed by two masters, which are pleasure and pain. The utility test helps individuals select the best outcome that will result in the most happiness and minimize pain or discomfort. Utilitarian Ethics Utilitarian Ethics is the theory that "an action is morally right if and only if it produces at least as much good (utility) for all people affected by the action as any alternative action the person could do instead" (Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, 2nd ed). Utilitarian Ethics is morally right acts that bring the most happiness to individuals. Jeremy Bentham believed that individuals were governed by two masters, which are pleasure and pain. The Case of the Sole Remaining Supplier is facing a utilitarian ethical problem. This paper will address the key utilitarian ethical problem(s) confronting the supplier/transistor company in this Case. In addition, the paper will also identify what advice Jeremy Bentham would give to the company, and apply the application of Steps A through D of the Utility Test to the company. Furthermore, this paper will compare and contrast the results...
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...A Utilitarian Egoists’ Approach to Ethics When an individual takes actions there is always a reason. Whether it be a subconscious inkling that’s driving them, or a religious belief, the intent is there. As for me, what is my intent? In the past I have been focused on coming to an objective conclusion to a moral dilemma. However I have come to the realization that my opinion matters and that how I benefit from the situation matters. Granted, I want what is best for the majority, but only if I am part of said majority. I find nothing wrong with choosing an answer that suits me best, while keeping the well-being of others in mind. We all have different methods of discerning whether or not something is the “right” thing to do or if it is done for the “right” reasons. After much contemplation and the review of my ethical inventories, I have developed my own method. I have embraced my subjective biases and past experiences and combined them with my drive to better myself and achieve happiness and reduce the consequences. I have been called egotistical in the past, and I rejected it completely, now I am embracing it but with a twist. This new approach to ethics, one that may seem to be an oxymoron, but also one I find fundamentally sound, is that of a utilitarian egoist. The first misconception I had over three months ago, before I had made the plunge into the endless sea of ethics, was that doing something for others for the sole purpose of self-happiness was wrong. It surprises...
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...Ethics is a branch of philosophy that focuses on the moral, philosophical characteristics from formal, systematic and ethical principles. Moral judgments are calculated from ethical principles which need to be applied as a standard for everyday choices in life and business. This is directly related to the decisions human beings make. Cavico (2009) states utilitarianism is more than just moral philosophy. It is a way of reformation and used extensively in government decision making. This will be discussed further in the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch merger. Utilitarianism is considered a scientific system of ethics and not just a philosophical theory of ethics. Utilitarian ethics follows the belief of maximizing the greatest good for the largest number of people. As utilitarianism is identified, one needs to learn that the greatest good could be based on aggregate principle or a distributive principle. The Bank of America-Merrill Lynch merger will be assessed in regards to who, what and how the greater good will be affected in this merger. Within utilitarianism, a moral philosophy is developed that focuses on the consequences of specific actions. An action is done, then observed and then analyzed. After identifying all the people that were involved, one needs to ask the question, “Do the sum of good consequences outweigh the sum of the bad consequences?” Quantify all the good and bad consequences in the scenario and if the good consequences are greater than the bad consequences...
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...Describe the strengths and weaknesses of utilitarian and Kantian ethics. Utilitarianism is a consequence based ethics perspective which makes decisions that promote the greatest overall amount of good consequences over bad consequences for the greatest number of people in the world. An ethical tradition that directs us to decide based on overall consequences of our act. It is a cost-benefit analysis that fits with business decision making and into people’s intuitive criteria for deciding moral problem. It provides an objective and attractive way of resolving conflicts of self-interest. When most people feel that justice is done, it is easier to implement and defend based on the “common good”. Utilitarianism makes policies for the benefit of the majority of workers, suppliers and customers; think through a number of “frames” before making a decision and therefore the quality of the decision making should be higher. However the nature of the consequences is biased as too much focus on ethical ends can lead to ignoring moral consideration of the means. Eg, if an organization needs satisfy the shareholders hence they retrench 20% randomly so that 80% of staff are kept. But is the financial outcomes the best? It is difficult to evaluate all consequences. For example, through the stakeholder analysis, the rights and interests of minority is ignored (eg, suppliers) or those who are affected in the future. It is unfair to those who lack representation...
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...On September 18, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused Volkswagen of cheating on the emission test. Volkswagen had become extremely popular around the world due to the advertising on eco-friendly car. Volkswagen was advertising on the Super Bowl commercials, social media and much more. For seven years they had a false advertisement. It was a false advertisement because everything they were advertising was invalid. People were being lied to on what they were buying. Volkswagen had installed a software into the diesel engine. A deontologist, utilitarian and virtue ethicist could describe the action taken place by Volkswagen. A deontologist, utilitarian, and a virtue ethicist have different ways of describing what is morally...
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...Critically assess a utilitarian response to environmental ethics. Utilitarianism is teleological, concerned with the end or purpose of actions. It is also consequentialist, judging actions right or wrong according to their outcome. Many scientists, politicians and philosophers have expressed concern that the world is facing an environmental catastrophe. If this is to be believed, an ethical theory that focuses on the results of our actions seems most appropriate. Utilitarianism is able to take into account the risks to the environment of global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, deforestation etc. Traditional utilitarianism would have done that using Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus. Bentham would have asked how likely it was that certain results would occur. He would have weighed up the benefits of any proposed action, such as the building of a new motorway, against the adverse affects, focussing on the pleasure and pain that resulted, and nothing else. This sort of calculation is practical and flexible, allowing for a different answer in every different set of circumstances. For example, building a road in Rwanda might lead to increased trade, a way of transporting important materials, medicines etc – in other words, a lifeline. The destruction of wildlife in such an underdeveloped country might be negligible, and the pollution minimal. However, a similar road in the UK might run through residential areas. The pollution from the thousands of cars might have a significant...
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...Business Ethics UTALITARIAN What are the most important types of ethical standards to apply in business activities? Utilitarian ethic claims that something is right to the extent it diminishes social costs and increases social benefits. Ethic of rights, closely associated with Kantian duty ethic, claims that one should always consider and respect people’s rights to freedom and well-being. Aristotelian virtue ethic evaluates the moral character of persons or groups. As articulated by Mill and Bentham, utilitarianism aims not for the pleasure of the individual but the “greatest good for the greatest number” of people. Refined by its later interprets, utilitarianism also rejects a simplistic belief in pursuing the most pleasure possible in favour of the view that incorporates qualitative standards and elevates pleasures of the mind over pleasures of the body. The term “happiness” seems to capture this broadened sense best, and Utilitarian philosophers sometimes call their principle the “greatest happiness principle.” To apply correctly the utilitarian approach, one should avoid several possible misunderstandings of the utilitarian principle. First, the principle does not refer to that action which produces the most utility for the person performing that action; rather, an action is right if it produces the most utility for all persons affected by the action (including the person performing the action). Nor does the utilitarian principle say that an action is right so long...
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...com/BUS-309-WK-3-Quiz-2-Chapter-2-All-Possible-Questions-BUS3093.htm BUS 309 WK 3 Quiz 2 Chapter 2 - All Possible Questions 1. Which theories of ethics contend that right and wrong are determined by more than the likely consequences of an action? 1. Egoistic theories 2. Nonconsequentialist theories 3. Relativist theories 4. Consequentialist theories 1. Nonconsequentialist theories are also called 1. Deontological theories 2. Relativist theories 3. Egoistic theories 4. Virtue ethics theories 1. Epicurus was a 1. Stoic 2. Hedonist 3. Platonist 4. Aristotelian 1. Someone who holds that everyone should let self-interest guide their actions is a 1. Personal egoist 2. Personal hedonist 3. Impersonal egoist 4. Impersonal hedonist 1. The view that equates morality with self-interest is 1. Stoicism 2. Egoism 3. Hedonism 4. Platonism 1. Psychological hedonists hold that humans are by nature 1. Virtuous 2. Selfish 3. Altruistic 4. Immoral 1. The view that we should always act so as to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions is known as 1. Virtue ethics 2. Divine command ethics 3. Deontology 4. Utilitarianism 1. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill both endorsed 1. Virtue ethics 2. Divine command ethics 3. Deontology 4. Utilitarianism 1. By “good” utilitarians mean 1. Happiness or pleasure 2. Morality or virtue 3. Wealth or prosperity 4. Desire satisfaction 1. The “hedonic calculus”...
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...Theories Utilitarianism Ethics Deontological Ethics Virtue Ethics Definition “Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that an action is right if it produces, or if it tends to produce, the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people affected by the action. Otherwise the action is wrong. According to utilitarianism, we should evaluate an action by looking at its consequences, weighing the good effects against the bad effects on all the people affected by it. If the good outweighs the bad, it tends to be a good action; if the bad outweighs the good, it tends to be a bad action” (DeGeorge, R. T. (2005). “The deontological approach to ethics denies the utilitarian claim that morality of an action depends on its consequences. Deontologists maintain that actions are morally right or wrong independent of their consequences. Moral rightness and wrongness are basic and ultimate moral terms. The deontological approach is not dependent on good and the production of, or the failure to produce, good. A person’s duty is to do what is morally right and to avoid what is morally wrong, regardless of the consequences. “Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in normative ethics. It may, initially, be identified as the one that emphasizes the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach which emphasizes duties or rules (deontology) or that which emphasizes the consequences of actions (consequentialism). Virtue ethics has three central concepts...
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...Normative ethics are outlined in six approaches for managers to follow that include the utilitarian approach, individualism approach, moral rights approach, justice approach virtue ethics approach and the practical approach. The utilitarian approach began in the nineteenth century by two philosophers, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. They believed that moral behavior produced the greatest good for the greatest number of people possible. The decision maker of the organization is expected to consider the effect the decision will have on all parties. The manger is then to take the path that will improve the benefits for the greatest number of people. This approach is the basis of companies’ ethics regarding employee Internet usage and also personal habits such as alcohol and tobacco consumption since these habits and behaviors affect the entire work place. The individualism approach states that acts are moral when they encourage long-term interest with everyone within the organization learning to accommodate the long-term interests of the organization. The approach is noted to lead to honest and integrity. The individualism approach is not popular within highly organization groups of society because it is easily misinterpreted to support self-gain. The moral rights approach notes that fundamental rights and liberties cannot be taken away from human beings by an individual decision. The justice approach focuses on standards of equity, fairness and impartiality...
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...THREE ETHICAL APPROACHES BASED ON VIRTUE, DUTY AND CONSEQUENCE Three ethical approaches have evolved as the focus of those who study moral philosophy: virtue ethics, duty ethics and consequential ethics. Virtue ethics, associating ethics with personal habits, is associated with Aristotle. Duty ethics is associated with religious beliefs, although Kant tried to create a system of duties independent of belief in God. Consequential ethics is associated with the quest for rationalism during the Enlightenment, and especially with the Utilitarians. Virtue Ethics Plato and especially later Aristotle described moral behavior as “what the moral or virtuous person does.” The virtuous person develops a sense of right and wrong. This idea endures. We look to people we think of as ethical to give us advice on an ethical issue because such people have a sense of right and wrong. Aristotle tried to take the idea further, with less success. He thought that virtuous behavior meant people realizing their potential. He suggested that virtue was tied to moderation, a middle way between excess and deficiency. This idea is in practice not proven so helpful because where the midpoint is depends on where we put the extremes.[2] For example if an extreme drinker is someone who drinks six liters a day of vodka, then is three liters a day a moderate drinker? Markets operate without depending on the virtue of the business people who trade in them. But in practice ethical behavior is admired...
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... 2 Abstract Have you ever asked your self what the definition of Ethics is? I myself have never thought of that question until this quarter. Ethics to me was always something that was moral and right. I would constantly hear people speaking with one another saying, oh no that is not ethical or yes that sounds ethical to me. I figured that they knew what they were saying and just went along with it. Before taking my ethics class I would also speak to my peers and say things like, that does not sound ethical or yes that is a very ethical thing to do. The question is; what is truly ethical? Isn’t everything ethical in a way, and according to who might this be ethical? These are the questions that we are thought to ask and to learn in ethics. I have learned that there are many types of ethics and they are all very different from each other and often disagree with one another. This paper clarifies some of the differences between different types of ethics that exist among us. WHAT IS ETHICAL 3 What is Ethical, and According to Whom? People all around the word are constantly using the word ethics or ethical incorrectly. This has started because most common people do not know the true meaning of ethics. I was one of those people who thought of ethics as one single certain way of thinking. Something ethical to most people means something that sounds good and right...
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...Business Ethics Concepts & Cases Manuel G. Velasquez ABSTRACT Summary of the main points of the first two chapters in the book. The remaining chapters are application of the concepts summarized as relating to political forms of government and market systems. These further chapters are less relevant to the DBA class that this summary was prepared for. Chapter 1 – Ethics & Business Ethics is the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group. It is the study of morality. Morality are the standards that an individual or group has about what is right and wrong, or good and evil. Moral norms can usually be expressed as general rules or statements, such as “Always tell the truth”. Moral values can usually be expressed as statements describing objects or features of objects that have worth, such as “Honesty is good” and “Injustice is bad”. Five characteristics can help pin down the nature of moral standards. 1. Moral standards deal with matters that we think can seriously injure or seriously benefit human beings. 2. Moral standards are not established or changed by the decisions of particular legislative bodies. 3. We feel that moral standards should be preferred to other values including (especially?) self-interest. 4. Moral standards are based on impartial considerations. – that is, a point of view that does not evaluate standards according to whether they advance the interests of a particular individual or group, but one that goes...
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... Ethics maybe considered as a large field of study, however, it is generally designed to demonstrate to people “what is right or wrong in human behavior and conduct” (Thiroux, 2003). Ethics is also applicable to the ability to make choices, so the absence of this ability or opportunity to make a choice could be considered to be unethical behavior. Even though one is sometimes unaware of it, when choices are made there are standards competing, or ethical perspectives, that governs one’s behavior. My ethical perspective can be basically summed up into the saying ‘do unto others as you would have them do to you’. An individual’s duty lies within doing what is morally right. My perspective recognizes that ethical principles must be at all times appropriate, regardless of the circumstances, and at all times must be committed to enhancing individual freedom. (ethics-twi.org). Ethical perspectives can be put into four categories. Each category will identify a different standard for making choices, and also makes reference to some interest that is valued or referred. Utilitarianism is often times referred to as situational ethics. The ‘right’ thing to do does not necessarily depend in ethical standards, but rather on the assessment of the situation, the alternative courses of actions available, and the consequences of the choices available. The utilitarian ethic requires that a decision maker assess the choices of...
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...managers may use especially during ethical dilemma. There are five common ethical decision making approaches that can assist manager based upon what is good in each situation. Utilitarianism or consequentialism, as just what its term “consequentialism” means. This paradigm is developed [originally] by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John S. Mill (1806-1873). Judges one’s action based on the maximums of the good in the world. In this approach, the manager evaluates how the decision will affect [directly] the employee(s) and others. The managers identify the potential positive and potential negative consequences. If it will results “to the greatest good and for the greatest number,” the manager using the utilitarian approach is feasibly will make dubious decision. Utilitarian ideology is that it is ethical if the result will only give the “greatest advantages and benefits, and to the greatest number of people.” The theory seems to point out a situation in which it seems to provide the wrong answer to an ethical dilemma. I think of Dr. Kevorkian a good example using this approach. As this approach contemplates both bad and good, utilitarian’s rationale in this situation was to stop the pain for the suffering patient and maybe stop the financial hardships for the family too. This approach will solve the pain and resolve financial issues. This is fine and dandy, but it may backfire to our society. The family and physicians may start pressuring terminally ill- patients just to...
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