Hartman Business Ethics Chapter 2 Ethical Decision Making: Personal and Professional Contexts

Summary

This chapter delves into the process of ethical decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. It introduces a model that involves determining facts, identifying ethical issues, considering stakeholders, and evaluating alternatives. The chapter also explores challenges, such as ignorance and lack of courage, that hinder ethical decision-making. A key focus is on the role of managers in fostering ethical behavior within organizations. Through historical examples and powerful quotes, the chapter emphasizes the importance of making morally sound decisions that align with integrity, principles, and the well-being of all stakeholders.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ethical decision-making involves a structured process: determining the facts, identifying ethical issues, considering stakeholders, exploring alternatives, and evaluating the consequences.
• 😀 Moral imagination is the ability to consider various alternatives and consequences when making ethical decisions.
• 😀 Cognitive biases, such as ignorance and limited alternatives, can hinder ethical decision-making and lead to unethical choices.
• 😀 Ethical decision-making requires weighing the effects on stakeholders, which include employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, and the local community.
• 😀 Integrity, virtue, and character play a crucial role in the decision-making process, ensuring decisions align with personal and organizational values.
• 😀 Ethical decision-makers must also consider the broader implications of their decisions on society and the long-term outcomes.
• 😀 Historical decisions, such as President Truman’s choice to drop atomic bombs on Japan, demonstrate the complexities of ethical decision-making in extreme situations.
• 😀 Stumbling blocks in ethical decision-making include lack of willpower, fear of consequences, and the pressure of peer influence.
• 😀 Leaders and managers must foster an ethical culture within organizations by setting a positive example and encouraging ethical behavior.
• 😀 Decision-making processes must include continual learning and adaptation, with a focus on improving outcomes and addressing future ethical challenges.
• 😀 Power can corrupt, as illustrated by the change in behavior of some individuals who gain fame or authority, underscoring the need for humility and responsibility.

Q & A

What is the main objective of this chapter?

The main objective of this chapter is to describe a process for ethically responsible decision-making, apply this model to ethical decision points, explore why good people may engage in unethical behavior, and analyze the impact of managerial roles on ethical decision-making.

What are the first steps in the ethical decision-making process?

The first steps involve determining the facts of the situation and identifying the ethical issues involved. These steps help frame the decision by establishing the context and understanding the ethical dilemma.

What is 'normative myopia' as discussed in the script?

'Normative myopia' refers to the inability to recognize ethical issues due to a shortsighted view of values. It suggests that individuals or organizations fail to notice important ethical dilemmas because they lack awareness or focus on what truly matters.

How does moral imagination play a role in ethical decision-making?

Moral imagination involves envisioning various alternative choices, their consequences, and how they may benefit or harm different stakeholders. It is crucial for ethical decision-makers to explore different perspectives and possible outcomes before making a decision.

What does the script suggest is a key challenge in ethical decision-making?

A key challenge in ethical decision-making is recognizing and weighing all the potential consequences for all stakeholders involved, while also considering personal integrity, character, and moral duties. Additionally, cognitive biases, ignorance, and lack of willpower can impede making ethical choices.

How does the concept of 'satisficing' relate to ethical decision-making?

'Satisficing' refers to the act of selecting the alternative that meets the minimum criteria to get things done, rather than choosing the best or most ethical option. This approach can lead to suboptimal or unethical decisions because it often involves cutting corners or ignoring broader ethical implications.

What role do stakeholders play in the ethical decision-making process?

Stakeholders are individuals or groups who are affected by a decision. In the ethical decision-making process, decision-makers must identify and consider how each stakeholder will be impacted, ensuring that their interests and well-being are taken into account.

How does the chapter relate the role of managers and leaders to ethical decision-making?

Managers, executives, and board members create and shape the organizational context within which ethical decisions are made. They have a responsibility to encourage ethical behavior and discourage unethical actions by setting a positive example and fostering an environment where ethical decision-making is valued.

What example does the chapter provide to illustrate a difficult ethical decision?

The chapter uses the example of President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. This decision is used to highlight the complex ethical calculations that leaders sometimes have to make, balancing the potential harm to individuals against the broader impact on national and global interests.

What does Abraham Lincoln’s quote about power suggest in the context of ethical decision-making?

Abraham Lincoln’s quote, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power,' suggests that power can reveal a person’s true ethical nature. It emphasizes the importance of humility and integrity when holding positions of authority, as power can corrupt and influence decision-making.