Individual Factors: Moral Philosophies and Values Ethical Decision Making For Business 8e Fraedrich/Ferrell/Ferrell C H A P T E R 6 CHAPTER 6 Individual Factors: Moral Philosophies and Values

Principles or rules that people use to decide what is right or wrong Moral Philosophy Principles or rules that people use to decide what is right or wrong Guides businesspeople in formulating strategies and resolving ethical issues No single moral philosophy is accepted by everyone

Moral Philosophy Defined Economic value orientation: Associated with values that can be quantified by monetary means Idealism (理想主義): A moral philosophy that places special value on ideas and ideals as products of the mind Realism (現實主義): The view that an external world exists independent of our perception of it

Goodness Theories (善良理論) 1/3 Monists (一元論者) believe that only one thing is intrinsically good Often exemplified by hedonism (快樂主義) That one’s pleasure is the ultimate intrinsic good or that the moral end, or goodness, is the greatest balance of pleasure over pain.

Goodness Theories (善良理論) 2/3 Pluralists (多元論者) believe that two or more things are intrinsically good Plato argued that the good life is a mixture of (1) moderation and fitness (2) proportion and beauty (3) intelligence and wisdom (4) sciences and arts (5) pure pleasure of the soul

Goodness Theories (善良理論) 3/3 Instrumentalists (工具主義者) reject the idea that Ends can be separated from the means that produce them Ends, purposes, or outcomes are intrinsically good in and of themselves

Teleology (目的論) Considers acts as morally right or acceptable if they produce some desired result such as pleasure, knowledge, career growth, the realization of a self interest, or utility Assesses moral worth by looking at the consequences for the individual, called consequentialist (結果論)

Teleology 1: Egoism (利己主義) Right or acceptable behavior defined in terms of consequences to the individual Maximizes personal interests Enlightened egoists take a long-term perspective and allow for the well being of others although their own self-interest remains paramount.

Teleology 2: Utilitarianism (功利主義) Seeking the greatest good for the greatest number of people as the guiding principle of conduct

Teleology 3: Altruism (利他主義) the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

Refers to moral philosophies that focus on the rights of individuals Deontology (義務論) Refers to moral philosophies that focus on the rights of individuals Believe that individuals have certain absolute rights

Relativist Perspective (相對主義者觀點) Descriptive relativism (描述式相對主義) relates to observing cultures Metaethical relativists (後設倫理相對主義) understand that people naturally see situations from their own perspectives Normative relativists (規範性相對主義) assume that one person’s opinion is as good as another’s From the relativist perspective, individuals and groups derive definitions of ethical behavior subjectively from experience

Virtue Ethics (美德倫理) Virtue ethics approach can be summarized as: Good corporate ethics programs encourage individual virtue and integrity These virtues associated with appropriate conduct form a good person The ultimate purpose is to serve the public good The well-being of the community goes together with individual excellence

Kohlberg’s Model of Cognitive Moral Development Consists of six stages: Punishment and obedience Individual instrumental purpose and exchange Mutual interpersonal expectations, relationships, and conformity Social system and conscience maintenance Prior rights, social contract or utility Universal ethical principles Kohlberg’s model suggests that people continue to change their decision-making priorities after their formative years, and as a result of time, education, and experience, they may change their values and ethical behavior. And an individual’s moral development can be influenced by corporate culture, especially ethics training