ETHICAL THEORIES, JUSTICE,

& ETHICAL
REASONING

7 FEBRUARY 2013

Doing Ethics 3
dimensions
Reflecting on Choices
Analyze the Choice
Making the Choice

Reflecting on Choices

Thinking about the basis for ones

choices

Actions are justified on the basis of a

ethical rule

These rules gain their validity in turn

from a general ethical theory.

Ethical reflection
Ethical
Theory
Treat others the
same way as
yourself

Be fair to
others

Ethical
Rules

Ethical
action

Ethical
action

Deontological
theory

Ethical
rules
Ethical
action

Ethical Theories focus on different aspects of Human

Behaviour

Agent the individual involved

Action doing something
Results consequences of the action

Agen
t

Actio
n

Resu
lts

Ethical theories & their

focus

Consequentialism Consequence or
Results

Utilitarianism

Deontological Theory - Action

Duty Ethics

Virtue Theory Agent

Other ethical theories

Consequentialism

The ethical content of an action depends on

the consequences produced.

If you want result B, then do A

hypothetical obligation
Problems:

Good/bad consequences may not be

immediately knowable
Difficulty in characterizing the good and bad

Mills Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism Right actions are those that

produce the maximum benefit for the greatest
number.

Maximum benefit understood as

Intensity of benefit nature of benefit (trivial vs

serious)
Duration of benefit time period to see benefit

Benefits are understood inclusively without

discrimination and without inequity.

Deontological Theory

Actions are only as ethical as the nature of

the action chosen

The ends do not justify the means chosen to

accomplish them

However good consequences may be, if the

actions are wrong, they do not justify the
action.

Morality is created by following rules.

Immanuel Kants Duty

Ethics

Doing your duty: Ethical action arises

from following rules.

Do A, no matter what categorical

imperative

Follow only those rules that can be applied

universally
Act so that you always treat humanity
never simply as a means but always as an
end.

Aristotles Virtue Theory

Theory suggests that a better guide to

ethical action is the character of the
person performing it.
Virtue in the person is a better guide
than rules or consequences.
Based on personal experience.
What guides are available to judging
character

Does it match a model of a virtuous person

you know.

Other Theories

Rights Ethics

Natural Ethics

Every individual has certain non-alienable rights

life, liberty, and dignity.

Principles derived from nature.

Religious Ethics Christian, Islamic, Jewish,

Hindu, and Buddhist ethics.

Moral principles that are based on religious

standards of behaviour.

Ethical Theories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTsCJ2R
8Bic

JUSTICE

Justice What is it?

Justice is an important philosophical

principle
Definitions:

It is fairness or rightness in action and

conduct.
It is both process and goal, means and end.

Concept of Justice as Fairness (John

Rawls)

It implies basic liberty rights that are

inalienable

Categories of Justice

Procedural Justice Justice needs to seen

to be done.

Corrective Justice Fairness in rectifying

wrongs

Distributive Justice redistributing for

equality in society.

Political Justice Fairness in political rights

Analyze Choices

Deciding on a Choice

Individuals face multiple courses of

action

Deciding between actions requires clear

reasoning

Steps for analyzing dilemmas

Steps of Ethical Analysis

Moral Clarity Identify relevant moral values

Conceptual Clarity Clarify key concepts

Are concepts like safety, honesty, obligation absolute

Obtain relevant information -

Consider all options Not black or white but also

grey

Make a reasonable decision

Case study example

A chemical engineer working in the environmental

division of a computer manufacturing firm learns that
her company might be discharging unlawful amounts of
lead and arsenic into the city sewer. The city processes
the sludge into a fertilizer used by local farmers. To
ensure the safety of both the discharge and the
fertilizer, the city imposes restrictive laws on discharge
of lead and arsenic. Preliminary investigations convince
the engineer that the company should implement
stronger pollution controls, but her supervisor tells her
the cost of doing so is prohibitive and that technically
the company is in compliance with the law. She is also
scheduled to appear before town officials to testify.
What should she do?

Moral Clarity

What are the relevant moral values

connected with this case?

Remember OIQs professional values

Competence, Ethical Conduct,
Responsibility & Social Commitment.
Competence to be objective and truthful
Responsibility to the organization act as
loyal agents
Social Commitment commitment to
societys welfare

Conceptual Clarity Examine the code!

Responsibility to company

Does that mean obeying everything your

supervisor tells you
Should you think of the long-term benefits or
short-term benefits to the company

Social Commitment

Does it mean to all threats that society faces

What level of threat is considered serious
enough to warrant disclosure
Should you reveal all facts or only what you
think is important

Obtain Relevant information

Is there uncertainty about the facts?

Have the findings been re-evaluated by

some one else?
Is there any margin of error?
What is the possibility of harm coming
about to inhabitants?
Have there been instances in the literature
that suggest anything?
Be thorough in research and documentation

Consider all options

What are the options for actions that you

can take?

Is more research required?

Can the supervisor be convinced?
Are the regulations too strict?

Action
Spectrum

Do nothing.
Have faith in
company

Whistleblowi
ng

Expose
companys
actions in the

Reach reasonable decision

Decision should be based on previous

steps.

May not be optimal decision or the

decision you want but under the these
conditions it is what is most reasonable
and defendable.

Making the Choice

What is the nature of

action?

What is involved in taking the decided

action?

Is it a heroic virtue that is expected of us?

Are we ready for that?
Is there a vice or crime that is being
committed indirectly or directly? Can we
live with that?

In case of unease with decision, go back

to ethical analysis.