1. Law For Business And Personal Use
Chapter 2 – Ethics In Our Law

2. Ethics Defined Three elements of ethics decision Business ethics
About a right or wrong action
Reasoned
Impartial
Applying same standard to everyone
Business ethics
Principles used in making business decisions without regard to profit maximization
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3. Ethical Reasoning Based On Consequences
Consequence-based reasoning based on outcome of decision
Act that produces bad consequences is bad
Act that produces good consequences is good
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4. Ethical Reasoning Based On Consequences
Process
Describe alternative actions
Forecast consequences
Evaluate consequences
Standard for judging (“The Good”)
Number of people affected
Action chosen results in greatest good for greatest number of people
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5. Ethical Reasoning Based On Rules
Fundamental ethical rules
Determine whether act, in itself, is right or wrong
Cannot justify action by showing produces good consequences
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6. Ethical Reasoning Based On Rules
Standard for judging decisions based on
Authority
Law, religion
Reasoning
Apply universalizing
Visualize everyone doing action
Moral rights
Rightful claims on people that flow from status as human being
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7. Ethics Expressed In Law
Majority rule demonstrates consequence-based ethics
Majority rule—elected representatives vote for laws acceptable to majority of people
Majority rule can be unjust
Civil rights demonstrates rule-based ethics
Civil rights—personal, human rights recognized and guaranteed by constitution
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8. Ethical Goals Reflected In Laws
Consistent rules assure order and predict ability
To be just, arbitrary rules or laws must be
Communicated in advance
Applied consistently
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9. Obligated To Obey Law Demanded by ethical reasoning
Consequences-based and rule-based
Have agreed to obey and show integrity
Capacity to do what right even in face of pressure to do otherwise
Avoids punishment
Civil disobedience—open, peaceful violation of law to protest injustice
Scofflaws—persons who do not respect and frequently violate valid laws
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