1. Ethical Decisions and Ethical Judgment Theories about ethical judgment and behavior ACCT7320 Fall 2012

2. What is/are Ethics? Webster’s Definition: 1 ethics plural but usually singular in construction : the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation 2 a : a group of moral principles or set of values b : a particular theory or system of moral values c ethics plural but singular or plural in construction : the principles of conduct governing an individual or a profession : standards of behavior 3 : character or the ideals of character manifested by a race or people -- compare ETHOSETHOS

3. Several Competing Philosophies Deontology the theory or study of duty or moral obligation : the ethics of duty Utilitarianism a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences; the aim of moral, social, and political action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

4. Competing Philosophies… Theory of Justice “Fair” to all concerned Theory of Rights Not violate anyone’s legitimate rights Others?

5. Ethical Considerations Decision making - factors Legal Profitable Ethical

6. Reasons to be Ethical Litigation Avoidance Regulatory Freedom Public Acceptance Investor Confidence Supplier/Partner Trust Customer Loyalty Employee Performance Personal Pride

7. Rest’s 4-Component Model of Ethical Behavior Moral sensitivity Moral judgment Moral motivation Moral character James Rest & colleagues 1960’s

8. Ethical Development (Kohlberg)

9. Ethical Development: Conventional Level

10. Ethical Development: Postconventional Level

11. Rationalist vs. Intuitionist Theories Kohlberg adopted the tradition of philosopher Immanuel Kant, holding the view that individuals interact with their environment in a rational process that becomes more and more refined through time. Other philosophers (Hume?) have seen us as more emotionally/instinctively driven

12. Is ethical decision-making instinctive? “Intuitionist” theorists claim that moral judgment is almost (or completely) devoid of rational judgment driven by immediate instinctual responses which the decider then justifies by ex post explanations that masquerade as rational reasons.

13. The social-intuitionists’ work Attracted attention in the popular press as well as academic literature. For examples, see Joshua Greene’s website, www.wjh.harvard.edu/~jgreene/, www.wjh.harvard.edu/~jgreene/ Jonathan Haidt’s website, http://people.virginia.edu/~jdh6n/, and www.yourmorals.org/links.php. http://people.virginia.edu/~jdh6n/ www.yourmorals.org/links.php

14. Dilemmas to demonstrate Streetcar dilemma……vs……..Footbridge dilemma

15. The End