Chapter 1 THE NATURE OF MORALITY
Chapter 1
THE NATURE OF
MORALITY
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
ETHICAL
•
•
•
•
•
•
Moral
Right
Good
Fair
Just
Proper
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
INDUSTRIAL OR BUSINESS
ETHICS
• The study of what constitutes moral, right or good conduct in a business context.
• BUSINESS: any for-profit organization
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
MORAL OR ETHICAL
STANDARDS
• Concern behavior that can have serious consequences to human welfare.
• IMMORAL violates moral standards
• NON-MORAL does not concern moral standards, amoral; such as etiquette
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
SOUNDNESS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
• Depends on the adequacy of the reasons which support or justify them.
–
–
–
–
Influenced by religion, esp. Golden Rule
Social norms
Laws often form minimum standards
Professional codes of conduct
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
ETHICAL RELATIVISM
• What is right in one place or time may be wrong in another.
• Ethical standards solely depend on moral system of the society in which the act/s occur.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Results
• No moral criticism of society's norms
• Ethical or moral progress meaningless
• People who encourage moral reform are immoral • The minority is immoral until it becomes the majority Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
So,
• Mafia activities are moral within their social group • Business may adopt its own moral code which is not known by general public
• Closely related to Situational Ethics.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
PARADOX OF HEDONISM
• Hedonism: The doctrine that personal interest, pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief purpose in life.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Research suggests
1. People who are chiefly concerned with their own interests tend to have less happy and less satisfying lives.
2. People who primarily seek their own happiness are less happy than those who are concerned about others.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Research suggests (cont.)
3. People often find greater satisfaction in living by a moral code than in living for
THE NATURE OF
MORALITY
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
ETHICAL
•
•
•
•
•
•
Moral
Right
Good
Fair
Just
Proper
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
INDUSTRIAL OR BUSINESS
ETHICS
• The study of what constitutes moral, right or good conduct in a business context.
• BUSINESS: any for-profit organization
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
MORAL OR ETHICAL
STANDARDS
• Concern behavior that can have serious consequences to human welfare.
• IMMORAL violates moral standards
• NON-MORAL does not concern moral standards, amoral; such as etiquette
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
SOUNDNESS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
• Depends on the adequacy of the reasons which support or justify them.
–
–
–
–
Influenced by religion, esp. Golden Rule
Social norms
Laws often form minimum standards
Professional codes of conduct
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
ETHICAL RELATIVISM
• What is right in one place or time may be wrong in another.
• Ethical standards solely depend on moral system of the society in which the act/s occur.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Results
• No moral criticism of society's norms
• Ethical or moral progress meaningless
• People who encourage moral reform are immoral • The minority is immoral until it becomes the majority Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
So,
• Mafia activities are moral within their social group • Business may adopt its own moral code which is not known by general public
• Closely related to Situational Ethics.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
PARADOX OF HEDONISM
• Hedonism: The doctrine that personal interest, pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief purpose in life.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Research suggests
1. People who are chiefly concerned with their own interests tend to have less happy and less satisfying lives.
2. People who primarily seek their own happiness are less happy than those who are concerned about others.
Copyright, J. Humble, 2010
Research suggests (cont.)
3. People often find greater satisfaction in living by a moral code than in living for