Business Ethics Chapter 1
Kohlberg stage 3
"good boy/nice girl" orientation
obedience and punishment orientation
a person is focused on avoidance of punishment and deference to power and authority--that is, something is right or wrong because a recognized authority figure says it is
social contrast legalistic orientation
a person is focused on individual rights and the development of standards based on critical examination--that is, something is right or wrong because it has withstood scrutiny by the society in which the principle is accepted
"good boy/nice girl" orientation
a person is focused on meeting the expectations of family members--that is, something right or wrong because it pleases those family members. stereotypical behavior is recognized, and conformity to that behavior develops
universal ethical principle orientation
a person is focused on self-chosen ethical principles that are found to be comprehensive and consistent--that is, something is right or wrong because it reflects that person's individual value system and the conscious choices he or she makes in life. while Kohlberg believed in stage six he was never able to find enough research subjects to prove the long-term stability of this stage
law-and-order orientation
a person is increasingly aware of his or her membership in a society and the existence of codes of behavior--that is, something is right or wrong because codes of legal, religious, or social behavior dictate it
universal ethics
actions that are taken out of duty and obligation to a purely moral ideal rather than based on the needs of the situation, since the universal principles are seen to apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time
ethical dilemma step 2
analyze the actions
ethical dilemma step 1
analyze the consequences
individualism, instrumentalism, and exchange
as a more organized and advanced form of stage one, a person is focused on satisfying his or her own needs--that is, something is right or wrong because it helps the person get what he or she wants or needs
Kohlberg level 3
postconventional
Kohlberg level 1
preconventional
ethics
the manner by which we try to live our lives according to a standard of "right" or "wrong" behavior--in both how we think and behave toward others and how we would like them to think and behave toward us
instrumental value
the quality by which the pursuit of one value is a good way to reach another value. For example, money is valued for what it can buy rather than for itself
Kohlberg stage 6
universal ethical principle orientation
Dobrin step 1
what are the fact
Dobrin step 2
what can you guess about the facts you don't know
Dobrin step 3
what do the facts mean
Dobrin step 6
what do your feelings tell you
culture
a particular set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that characterize a group of individuals
conventional
a person continues to become aware of border influences outside of the family
value system
a set of personal principles formalized into a code of behavior
ethical dilemma
a situation in which there is no obvious right or wrong decision, but rather a right or right answer
society
a structured community of people bound together by similar traditions and customs
postconventional
at this highest level of ethical reasoning, a person makes a clear effort to define principles and moral values that reflect an individual values system rather than simply reflecting the group position
preconventional
at this lowest level of moral development, a person's response to a perception of right and wrong is initially directly linked tot he expectation of punishment or reward
intrinsic value
the quality by which a value is a good thing in itself and is pursued for its own sake, whether anything comes from that pursuit or not
applied ethics
the study of how ethical theories are put into practice
Dobrin step 4
what does the problem look like through the eyes of the people involved
Dobrin step 5
what will happen if you choose one thing rather than another
Dobrin step 7
what will you think of yourself if you decide one thing or another
virtue ethics
a concept of living your life according to a commitment to the achievement of a clear ideal--what sort of person would I like to become, and how do I go about becoming that person?
Kohlberg level 2
conventional
utilitariansim
ethical choices that offer the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Kohlberg stage 4
law-and-order orientation
ethical reasoning
looking at the information available to us in resolving an ethical dilemma, and drawing conclusions based on that information in relation to our own ethical standards
ethical dilemma step 3
make a decision
Kohlberg stage 1
obedience and punishment orientation
Kohlberg stage 5
social contrast legalistic orientation
Dobrin step 8
can you explain and justify your decision to others
ethical relativism
concept that the traditions of your society, your personal opinions, and the circumstances of the present moment define your ethical principles
the golden rule
do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Kohlberg stage 2
individualism, instrumentalism, and exchange
