Ethics, Morals and Morality

Definitions
Ethics – A branch of philosophy concerned
with ways of thinking philosophically about
morality, and moral judgment.
Morality – Human conduct and character
referring to “those acts which it makes sense
to describe as right or wrong, good or bad.”
Moral Judgment – Judgments based on
considerations of how other people are to be
treated, and how others interests are to
weigh against their own.
 Ethics
The basic concepts and fundamental
principles of decent human conduct.
It includes study of universal values such as
the essential equality of all men and women,
human or natural rights, obedience to the law
of land, concern for health and safety and,
increasingly, also for the natural environment.
 Professional Ethics
Professionally accepted standards of personal
and business behavior, values and guiding
principles.
Codes of professional ethics are often
established by professional organizations to
help guide members in performing their job
functions according to sound and consistent
ethical principles.
They are important and helps to provide
additional guidelines by which people
carry out their jobs.
You are challenged everyday with daily
ethical choices. Some may be easy or
hard.
 Ethical behavior
Acting in ways consistent with what
society and individuals typically think
are good values.
Ethical behavior tends to be good for
business and involves demonstrating
respect for key moral principles that
include honesty, fairness, equality,
dignity, diversity and individual rights.
 Ethical climate
Victor and Cullen (1988) defined ethical
climate as “the shared perception of what
is correct behavior, and how ethical
situations should be handled in an
organization”.
Öncer and Yıldız (2012) defined ethics in
which one can distinguish good from the
bad, the right from the wrong, and always
to act as per the good and the right.
Victor and Cullen (1988) proposed a
conceptual typology of climate types
based on two dimensions.
1-The ethical criteria which is used in
decision making (egoism, benevolence,
principle).
2-The locus of analysis (individual,
local, cosmopolitan).
The ethical criteria are based on three
major classes of ethical theory.
(i)-Egoism, which focuses on
maximizing self-interest
(ii)-Utilitarianism (benevolence), which
extends concern or caring to mutual or
group interests.
(iii)-Deontology which emphasizes
moral principles.
The second dimension which is called
locus of analysis refers to who is
considered when contemplating ethical
or moral issues, or the limits of
consideration when making moral
judgements.
Victor and Cullen (1988) said that locus
of analysis may be at the individual
level, local (organizational) level or
cosmopolitan (social) level.
Ways to improve Organizational
ethical climate
Empowerment
Communication
Discipline
Change
Zero tolerance for incivility, immoral or unethical
behavior.
Make employees aware of guidelines, standards
and rules of the company and industry.
Audit employees for any violation.
Organizational ethical climate
There are some types of climate that
exist in the organization.
ASSIGNMENT.
Incivility, harassment, aggression
and discrimination can all produce
an unethical and hostile work
environment.
WHILE
Positive ethical climate can make
employees more productive and even
happier.
 Open-Ended Questions?
What are ethics?
Are ethical decisions important?
What happens without ethics?
What is the relation between society –
ethics – morals – moral judgment?
Where does morality come from?

Parents
Religion
Peers
Technology
 Parents
Parents instill ethics and morals in
children. Example: A child yells at their
friend – calling them a name.
How does the parent respond?
Other ways?
 Religion
Most religions set guidelines on how to
make moral judgments. Example: In the
Christian religion the ten commandments
serve as guidelines for making ethical
and moral judgments.
What do Muslims, Hebrews, and other
religions use?
 Peers
Friends effect your moral judgments.
Example: A friend or acquaintance
might coax you to use drugs.
Peer pressure can sometimes cause
people to make moral and ethical
decisions.
Others?
 Technology
Technology provides many opportunities to
make moral and ethical decisions. Example:
Copying computer games and violating
copyright laws.
1. Does having a radar detector give you the
right to break the law and speed?
2. Is it ethical to slash and burn the rain
forests to feed more people?
3. Should you drive your car to work or school
when it is in within walking distance?
Ethics & Compliance Officer Association
(ECOA).
ASSIGNMENT.