FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 702499
MODULE CODE: PLS3701
MODULE NAME: THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ETHICS
ASSIGNMENT: 02
SEMESTER 1_2025
, SECTION B
Ethical Decision-Making in Business: A Critical Analysis of Deontological,
Teleological, and Virtue Ethics in Relation to a Code of Conduct
In any professional setting, a code of conduct serves as a fundamental ethical
framework that guides decision-making, behaviour, and the overall corporate culture of
an organization. Ethical decision-making in business is influenced by various
philosophical approaches, including deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue
ethics. Each of these ethical theories provides different justifications and interpretations
regarding the role of a code of conduct in shaping ethical business practices. This essay
critically examines how these three ethical perspectives contribute to understanding the
function and ethical significance of a code of conduct in professional settings, assessing
their strengths and limitations in guiding ethical decision-making.
Deontological ethics, primarily associated with Immanuel Kant, is grounded in the
principle that morality is based on adherence to rules and duties rather than the
consequences of actions. A code of conduct, from a deontological perspective, is
essential in professional settings because it provides a set of rules and obligations that
employees must follow, ensuring ethical consistency and fairness. Deontological ethics
supports the idea that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their
outcomes, which aligns with the fundamental purpose of a code of conduct in
maintaining ethical integrity. For example, in corporate governance, adhering to policies
on transparency, confidentiality, and anti-corruption reflects deontological principles, as
employees and management are expected to follow these rules unconditionally. This
approach provides clarity and accountability, ensuring that decisions are made based
on ethical principles rather than situational factors. However, a major limitation of
deontological ethics is its rigidity, as it does not allow for exceptions even when strict
adherence to rules may lead to unethical outcomes. In business, ethical dilemmas often
require flexibility, and an overly rule-based system may fail to address complex
situations where moral judgment is necessary (PLS3701 Study Guide, p. 56).
Another key aspect of deontological ethics in business is its emphasis on duty-based
obligations to stakeholders, including employees, customers, and shareholders.
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 702499
MODULE CODE: PLS3701
MODULE NAME: THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ETHICS
ASSIGNMENT: 02
SEMESTER 1_2025
, SECTION B
Ethical Decision-Making in Business: A Critical Analysis of Deontological,
Teleological, and Virtue Ethics in Relation to a Code of Conduct
In any professional setting, a code of conduct serves as a fundamental ethical
framework that guides decision-making, behaviour, and the overall corporate culture of
an organization. Ethical decision-making in business is influenced by various
philosophical approaches, including deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue
ethics. Each of these ethical theories provides different justifications and interpretations
regarding the role of a code of conduct in shaping ethical business practices. This essay
critically examines how these three ethical perspectives contribute to understanding the
function and ethical significance of a code of conduct in professional settings, assessing
their strengths and limitations in guiding ethical decision-making.
Deontological ethics, primarily associated with Immanuel Kant, is grounded in the
principle that morality is based on adherence to rules and duties rather than the
consequences of actions. A code of conduct, from a deontological perspective, is
essential in professional settings because it provides a set of rules and obligations that
employees must follow, ensuring ethical consistency and fairness. Deontological ethics
supports the idea that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their
outcomes, which aligns with the fundamental purpose of a code of conduct in
maintaining ethical integrity. For example, in corporate governance, adhering to policies
on transparency, confidentiality, and anti-corruption reflects deontological principles, as
employees and management are expected to follow these rules unconditionally. This
approach provides clarity and accountability, ensuring that decisions are made based
on ethical principles rather than situational factors. However, a major limitation of
deontological ethics is its rigidity, as it does not allow for exceptions even when strict
adherence to rules may lead to unethical outcomes. In business, ethical dilemmas often
require flexibility, and an overly rule-based system may fail to address complex
situations where moral judgment is necessary (PLS3701 Study Guide, p. 56).
Another key aspect of deontological ethics in business is its emphasis on duty-based
obligations to stakeholders, including employees, customers, and shareholders.
