Philosophy 316- Second Test

Three Senses of Moral Responsibility

Causal Sense

Rule Following Sense

Decision Making Sense

Causal Sense

Because I caused something to happen, I am morally responsible for it- Can be praised for good or blamed for bad

Rule Following Sense

The emphasis is on morality being a set of externally imposed rules and duties- just taking orders

Decision Making Sense

Because I make my moral decisions in a way that merits the trust of others, I am a morally responsible person. The emphasis is on individual decision making... Must fulfill three criteria!

Three Criteria in Decision Making Sense

Rationality

Feelings and emotions are not a reliable guide (may be clouded by predjudices)

Respect for others. Taking into account the interests of others

Rationality

Involves careful consideration of all relevant factors--I examine all reasonable alternatives, short and long consequences, and am lucid in gals and purposes.

Martin Buber

Business man, started out with 25 cents and sold out for 32 million, interviewed every type of business man and interviewed them to find out why the U.S. marketplace was so cold, he found that when people felt accepted

"I-Thou"

Author=Martin Buber

when we treat people with consideration we build relationships.

Morality

Is going the 1^st mile and fulfilling duty and obligation

Does not require self-sacrifice

Requires that one shares equally with others

Love (“philos” love expressed by commitment and loyalty)

Going the 2^nd mile, doing more than is required. “If someone forces you to go one mile with him, go two miles!”

Will motivate one to give up one’s share for others

Gives and gives, looking for nothing in return. Giving one’s self on the job is a mindset.

Judeo-Christian World View

UNSELFISH

Power (Greek word “dunamis”) is to serve God and others

Power and authority are to disciple peoples and transform nature in unity and harmony with God’s purposes

Power and wealth is opportunity for service. Consistent with “noblesse oblige”

True happiness (Eudemonia) is only achieved by obeying God and doing His will.

Dominion Theory

To subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it—to work with nature for the common good.

"Kosmos"- Wold Theory

The Kosmos is that system apart from the purposes of God or apart from an ethical lifestyle.

Power is to dominate

Power over nature to produce goods and creature comforts.

-This is not bad in itself, but the bottom line is MOTIVE

Power and wealth are the measures of success (Power is what you can marshall as resources in a crisis

Happiness (not eudemonia) is achieved by acquiring possessions.

Utilitarianism

Derived from Greek word “Utile” to do good, or “Utilios” that which is good.

Utilitarian Principle

Holds that an action is ethical if and only if the sum total of utilities produced by that act is greater than the sum total of liabilities.

Utility is measured by ________________________?

The amount of benefits for all people, or the greatest number of people.

Fathers of Utilitarianism (2)

Jeremy Benthem

John Stuart Mill

Jeremy Benthem

Founder of Utilitarianism

All mankind is under the dominance of two masters: Pain and Pleasure- Peoples lives are chiefly influenced by these two factors, and a persons day is catergorized by them.

Said that humans are pleasure seeking organisms

John Stuart Hill

Disciple of Bentham

Married Harriet Taylor, a woman of rare buty and intellect

They co-authored the book "On Liberty", discussing utilitarianism and womans rights

Pioneers of womans rights and labored long to pursuade the English Parliment to give women the right to vote

Claimed that humans, in seeking pleasure, seek to develop their higher faculities

Added "Good and Beneficial" to Bethams definition

Four Categories of Utility

Tangible Desirables or Pleasures

Intangible Desirables

Tangible Undesirables

Intangible Undesireables

Tangible Desirables or Pleasures

Homes, Cars, Wealth, Education, Etc.

Intangible Desirables

Health, Freedom, Love, Long Life, and Peace of Mind

Tangible Undesirables

Pain, Sickness, Death, Homelessness

Intangible Undesirables

Lonliness, Bitterness and Hatred, Rage, Rejection, Unforgiveness, and inferiority complex.

This is the category that leadership encounters in the marketplace.

Leadership must connect with employees and enable them to overcome dysfunctions

Consequentialist Theory

The end justifies the means--Consequences count

Results make the action moral or ethical

It is a self centered theory

An action in and of itself has no value--What gives it value or worth is its consequences

No one persons happiness is more important than anyone else's happiness

Greek Word "Dunamis"

Power is to serve God and others!

Refering to Judeo-Christian World-View-UNSELFISH

Greek Word "Philos"

Love expressed by commitment and loyalty.

"Kosmos"

Typically means universe but as far as ethics go it means selfishness.

Stakeholder

The people involved in a scenario.

Limited Stakeholder Error

Too limited a view-Too simplistic- Limited to the view of happiness- Does not reflect the total picture.

The cost/benefits only apply to me or moy group(Not broad enough)

It does not consider others.

Single Alternative Error

When the other ethical standards are not considered.

Short Term Error

Considering only the immediate consequences and not the ultimacy of the situation.

Utility Does Not Always Hold the Line on _______?

Morality

Steps for Applying Utility

Assessing the situation

Identifying all the stakeholders (players), determing who is affected

Ascertaining the liabilities and benefits for all involved.

Make the decision as to which route will benefit the most(or which will harm the least)

Act Utilitarian

The considering of consequences.

Every leader should perform that act which will bring about the greatest among of good in their situation at that particular crisis. These do not believe in the setting of company rules, because they believe that each situation is unique so there is no set company policy for that particular situation.

Synonyms for Act Utilitarian

Flexible or Spontaneous Utility

When Does Traditional or Rule Utility Occur?

When leadership is madated to follow established company policy benefitting the majority in all situations.

Difficulties Encountered when Applying Utility Intangibles

Difficult to calculate intganibles- how to determine benefits or harms so that they can be measured?

Advantages of Utility

It focuses our attention on results

It requires us to see how society is affected by these results

It reinforces impartiality by treating everyone equally

Greek Word "Deontos"

Technically means duty or obligation

Ethically speaking it means to simply "do the right thing"

Deontoligical Approach

The End odes not justify the means. This standard is not "consequentialist" in nature; the results are not ethical unless ethical means are used to produce them

This is also called the "non-consequentialist" theory

The emphasis is on doing what is required regardless of the consequences

Immanuel Kant

German Philosopher

Author of "The Metaphysics of Morality"

Moral Theory emphasizes duties, motives, the dignity and worth of people,a dn a moral law that is unchanging and absolute, illustarting his Christian roots.

Said that "nothing is good in itself unless motivated by good will"

Required that everyone be treated as a free person equal to everyone else

Idealist Philosopher who added the concept of autonomy, one of the most basic concepts of Western Ethics

Three Standards of Kant

K-1 Do not make exceptions for yourself.

K-2 The involved parties must be given sufficent information in order to make rational decisions (Full Disclosure)

K-3 The Publicity Test

Decision Procedure for K-1

Describe what I am doing.

Ask whether every one can do the same. (Universality)

Would I accept this being done to me? (Reversibility) This principle is a valid guide to conduct. Everyone is worth the same. Why should I be permitted to do what others cannot?

K-2 Autonomy

The right to choose, the right to be a free thinker. It also involves problem solving, creativity, and making decisions.

Also involves self-determinism- the right to pursue what is fulfilling.

K-2 Decision Procedure

Is everyone able to make their own choices?

Are others being given sufficient information needed to make a rational decision?

Are they being given freedom to choose?

Autonomy then, full disclosure, is being given sufficient information and freedom to make a choice based on that information.

According to Kant, an Action Must Fulfill What Three Criteria to be Morally Responsible:

It must be universalized.

It must show respect for each party involved.

It must stand the publicity test.

When Utility cannot be assertained use ___________________?

Common Sense

What Two Purposes Can Utility be Divided Into?

Instrumental things

Intrinsic things

Instrumental Things

Are good only because they lead to "ultimate good" things.

(Ex. Trip to the dentist's office)

Intrinsic Things

Are things desired in themselves.

(Ex. A long life)

"Prima Facie" Obligations

Latin- meaning at first sight or first glance

These are practices that humans normally observe, but can be overridden for more important ones

(Ex. Breaking a promise to save a life)

Absolute Moral Obligations

These obligations cannot be broken for any reason. (Kant)

1st Ammendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religon, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peacefully to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances"

The Seven Step Process in Making Ethical Decisions:

Facts

Ethical Issues

The Alternatives

Who are the Stakeholders

The Ethics of the AlternativesThe Practical Restraints

Implementation

The Only Time Religion will Lose is when _________________.

The Public is Threatened

14th Amendment

Protects rights of citizens

"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law"

A Synonym for the 14th Amendment

"Due Process" or "Equal Provision of Liberty"

Due Process (14th Amendment) Includes the Following:

An informal meeting between the employer and the employee informing the employee of the charge and giving him an opportunity to speak to those charges.

A written notice of a hearing with a list of charges against the accused

The right of the accused to respond to those charges by mail or in person

The right to have an attorney present

The accused must have a min of 30 days advance notice of the hearing

The notice must be by certified mail

It is a Federal Amendment and Usurps EAW

Employment At Will (EAW)

Principle in common law doctrine that has evolved in the marketplace since the 1800's

This states that in the absence of law or contract, companies have the right to demote and/or fire whomever and whenever they please.

Still prevalent today in rural areas and the deap South

It is not applicable in the public sector (Government and Schools)

Liberty Rights

Freedom of Religon, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of the press, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This includes freedom of conscience and self-determinism (right to pursue one's own interests)

Row v. Wade added the "right to privacy of one's body"

Welfare Rights

Not necessarily protected by the Constitution, but are considered the rights of a human being. (Food, Housing, Employment, Education, and Health Care)

10th Amendment

All rights and duties not given specifically to the federal government buy the Constituion shall be given to the individual states.

The U.S. Supreme Court in San Antonio v. Rodriguez ruled that ___________.

Education is not a fundamental constiutional right. It is significant that in the same case the courts ruled the state of Texas could not deny a basic education to children of aliens.

Justification for Human Rights

Humans have intrinsic value.Humans are valuable in and of themselves. If there is no recognition that every human is valuable, then there is no basis for human rights.

Rights give every person self-respect

Rights are necessary to support freedom and well being. (Ex. Right to vote and the right of free press.)

Limitations of Human Rights

Limited only in extreme conditions. Rights are an individual's trump over society. Society cannot trump or take priority over individual rights exept in 2 cases

2 Cases in which society cannot trump or take priority over individual rights:

When those rights are disruptive to society, or detrimental to the purposes of the collective people as a whole

When in the exercise of one's rights violates anothers rights

The Government uses the doctrine of _____________ which establishes the government as the parent over its citizenry.

"Parens Patriae"

(Sidenote: The protections of society take priority over freedom of religon)

Rule of Thumb for Limitations of Human Rights:

An individual's rights can be restricted only if that restriction is necessary for protection of other's rights, and if those rights are disruptive to or detrimental to society.

Synonym for "Firing"

Cause Dismissal

4 Reasons for Removal from teh American Marketplace:

For Cause Dismissal

Result of theft
Gross insubordination (failure to obey an order at work)
Release of privileged information
Damaging the company's reputation (burden of proof is on the company)
Employee is considered "Personna non-grata" (not welcom to remain with the company)

Termination- Poor job performance/failure to meet expectations

Due Process Require

Layoffs- Iply that effected employee is subject to recall when economic conditions improve

Position Eliminating- Downsizing

"Personna Non-Grata"

Employee is no longer welcome to stay with the company

Due process required

Names for "Releasing Privileged Information" of a Company

Corporate Espionage

"Sleeping with the Enemy"

4th Amendment

States that citizens are protected against illegal search and seizure by the government.

Applies to home, public, and at work.

Workplace Snooping Bill

Bans companies from secretly monitoring empolyee activites. Now companies must infrom their emplyees when hired that they are subject to be monitored at any time. This has been upheld by the courts as long as it is company policy.

Companies say this is to prevent theft and esionage.

How is Privacy Invaded in the Workplace?

Eavesdropping and recording telephone conversations

Reading Email

Surveillance Cameras

When can the Company take more Extremem Measures?

When employee behavior is disruptive to productivity

When employee behavior damages the company's reputation

What are the Extreme Measures of Privacy Invasion in the Workplace?

Search desks

Hire a P.I. (more radical measure)

Anti Fraternization Policy

Must be written in company policy and employee given full autonomy. More strictly inforced is the "no-no" of leadership dating suborinates (spirit of the "dumb ass). Basically the "No Dating" Clause

3 Types of Testing and Explanations

Polygraph- fast, economical, reveals behavioral tendencies.

Disadvantages- are the stigma of having to undergo the test and only 75% reliability.

Urine Samples- caution- must be done in privacty and dignity

No Strip Searches
Usually done at private clinics at company's expense

Machine that Test Hair Follicles

Very Expensive
Can detect presence of drugs taken 6 months prior to test
This is the tren in the American Marketplace

The Ethical Standard of Justice as Fairness

Determining the fair distribution of benefits and burdens—determining the “fair” basis for distribution of goods—examining the factors of equality, effort, need, and accomplishment

Marxism

Begun by Karl Marx, a 19th century German Philosopher.

Defined struggle between the Bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the Proletariat (common laborers).

The word literally means "Property Less"

He saw a great world-wide war between the rich and poor nations and classes witht the poor becoming the victors, and communistic Socialism enthroned forever, with everyone equal.

Karl Marx Traits and Beliefs

Held that character traits such as greed and selfishness are not intrinsic to human nature, but are instead responses to capitalistic stimuli.

Believed in “economic determinism”—that man had no freedom. Freedom was determined by wealth and social class.

Believed that capitalism led to exploitation of the worker and further societal alienation—that workers became waged slaves by selling their labor, resulting in de-humanization.

Economic Determinism

That no man had freedom. Freedom was determined by wealth and social class

John Rawls

The founder of “Justice as Fairness” and was a professor of philosophy at Harvard

Been called the “most precise of all contemporary philosophers.”

His theory is called Justice as fairness and has to do with distribution of benefits and burdens

Wrote A Theory of Justice

Presents justice as fairness as a fundamental alternative to utilitarianism

Philosophy 316- Second Test

Philosophy 316 with Bagget at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

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