Articles & Lectures – Ethics and
Business
Contents
Articles Week 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 2
101 Crane Chapter 3 2019 .................................................................................................................. 2
102 Awad 2018 ................................................................................................................................... 5
103 Ciulla 2020.................................................................................................................................... 7
104 Talk by Sandel “Why we shouldn’t trust markets with our civic life ............................................ 8
Lecture 1 Moral & Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 10
Week 2 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 18
201 Crane Chapter 4 ......................................................................................................................... 18
202 Banaji 2003................................................................................................................................. 20
203 Smith 2021 ................................................................................................................................. 23
204 Talk by Richmond Pope “How whistle-blowers shape history” ................................................. 24
Lecture 2 Behaviours and actions ......................................................................................................... 25
Week 3 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 31
301 Hoffman 2021 ............................................................................................................................ 31
302 Griskevicius 2012 ....................................................................................................................... 32
303 Rasche 2023 ............................................................................................................................... 35
304 BSR 2019 Five step approach to stakeholder engagement ........................................................ 37
Lecture 3 strategies and stakeholders................................................................................................... 40
Week 4 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 48
401 Kourula 2023 .............................................................................................................................. 48
402 Atasu 2021 ................................................................................................................................. 50
403 IPCC 2023 ................................................................................................................................... 51
404 Joyce 2016 .................................................................................................................................. 51
Lecture 4 – Challenge and Solutions ..................................................................................................... 54
1
,Articles Week 1
101 Crane Chapter 3 2019
Normative ethical theories → Rules, guidelines, principles, and approaches that determine right and
wrong. Ethical theories that aim to prescribe the morally correct way of acting; that is, how we ought
to behave. code of conduct that all rational beings would adhere to.
Descriptive morality → applies to a code of conduct adopted by a particular group or society; it may
be the guidelines of a religion, for instance
The role of ethical theory
1. Ethical absolutism → On one side of the spectrum would be a position of ethical absolut-
ism, which claims that there are eternal, universally applicable moral principles. Accord- ing
to this view, right and wrong are objective qualities that can be rationally determined,
irrespective of the circumstances.
2. Ethical relativism → The other extreme would be a position of relativism, which claims that
morality is context-dependent and subjective. there are no universal right and wrongs that
can be rationally determined- it simply depends on the traditions, convictions, or practices of
those making the decision. Still a normative theory.
3. (Ethical pluralism) → This is something of an alternative approach to abso- lutism and
relativism. A pluralist approach accepts that we ought to recognize that incompat- ible values
can be equally legitimate and tolerate them as such
➔ Contemporary ethical theories → provide us with some alternative perspectives on ethical
theory. They often tend towards a more relativistic position.
Western Modernist Ethical Theoires
- Consequentialist
o Goal-oriented: If these outcomes are desirable, then the action in question is morally
right; if the outcomes of the action are not desirable, the action is morally wrong
o Based on the intended outcomes, the aims, or the goals of a certain action.
Consequentialist ethics is often also referred to by the term teleological, based on
the Greek word for 'goal'
- Principle -based
o These principle-based theories' prioritize what is right, rather than what is desirable
o These philosophical theories, also called deontological (based on the Greek word for
'duty'), look at the desirability of principles, and based on these principles, deduce a
'duty' to act accordingly in a given situation, regardless of the desirability of the
consequences.
Normative Theories in Business Ethics:
2
,The Consequentionalist Theories:
- Ethical Egoism → focusing on the outcomes and self-interest for the individual decision-
maker.
o A theory that suggests that an action is morally right if in a given situation all
decision-makers freely decide to pursue either their (short-term) desires of their
(long-term) interests
o Weaknesses in egoist ethics: this theory works fine if there is a mechanism in society
that makes sure that no individual egoist pursues their own interests at other
egoists' expense. I
- Ulitarianism → focusing on the wider social outcomes within a community (ethics of
outcome)
o “Greatest happiness principle”.it focuses solely on the consequences of an action,
weighs good outcomes against bad outcomes, and encourages the action that results
in the greatest amount of good for everyone involved
o It focuses on the collective welfare that is produced by a certain decision
o A theory which states that an action is morally right if it results in the greatest
amount of good for the greates amount of people affected by the action.
o In this hedonistic rendition of utilitarianism, utility is measured in terms of pleasure
and pain (the 'hedonistic' view)
o The essential characteristics of utilitarianism
▪ Consequentialism
▪ Hedonism (identified by pleasure and the absence of pain)
▪ Maximalism (the maximal amount of happiness)
▪ Universalism (consequences for everyone is considered)
o The problems:
▪ Subjectivity
▪ Equal weighting (think about universalism)
3
, ▪ Problems of quantification and calculation (difficult to assign costs to
situation)
▪ Distribution of the utility (interests of minoritets overlooked)
Principle Based Theories:
- Ethics of duties → they begin with assigning of the duty to act in a certain way
o For Kant, morality was a question of certain abstract and unchangeable obligations-
defined by a set of a priori moral rules- that humans should apply to all relevant
ethical problems
o humans could also be regarded as independent moral actors who made their own
rational decisions regarding right and wrong
o Categorical imperative → this theoretical framework should be applied to every
moral issue regardless of who is involved, who profits, and who is harmed by the
principles once they have been applied in specific situations.
▪ The key formilations:
• Universal acceptability → accept only if all rational beings can also
embrace it
• Respect for persons →treat humanity as an end, never merely as a
means to an end.
o Problems (with Kantianism)
▪ Undervaluing motivation
▪ Undervaluing outcomes given that this approach is on duty, not outcomes
▪ Assumption of rationality
- Ethics of rights: Human rights
o John Locke. He conceptualized the notion of 'natural rights', or moral claims, that
humans were entitled to, and which should be respected and protected (at that
time, primarily by the state)
o Human rights: Basic, inalienable, and unconditional entitlements that are inherent to
all human be- ings, without exception
o The responsibilities are directed at
▪ State → The state duty to protect human rights
▪ BUSINESS → The corporate responsibility to respect human rights –
▪ JUDICIARY → Access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses
o So.. it all about how fairly individuals are treated so that they get what they deserve
- Ethics of rights: Justice
o Justice is all about how fairly individuals are treated so that they get what they
deserve.
o Boatright 2014 → useful ways to view justice see fairness in 2 ways
▪ Fair procedures → it is determined according to whether everyone has bene
free to acquire rewards for their efforts
▪ Fair outcomes → it is determined according to whether the consequences
(positive and negative) are distributed in a just manner according to some
underlying principle such as need or merit)
- (Social contract theory)
4
Business
Contents
Articles Week 1 ....................................................................................................................................... 2
101 Crane Chapter 3 2019 .................................................................................................................. 2
102 Awad 2018 ................................................................................................................................... 5
103 Ciulla 2020.................................................................................................................................... 7
104 Talk by Sandel “Why we shouldn’t trust markets with our civic life ............................................ 8
Lecture 1 Moral & Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 10
Week 2 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 18
201 Crane Chapter 4 ......................................................................................................................... 18
202 Banaji 2003................................................................................................................................. 20
203 Smith 2021 ................................................................................................................................. 23
204 Talk by Richmond Pope “How whistle-blowers shape history” ................................................. 24
Lecture 2 Behaviours and actions ......................................................................................................... 25
Week 3 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 31
301 Hoffman 2021 ............................................................................................................................ 31
302 Griskevicius 2012 ....................................................................................................................... 32
303 Rasche 2023 ............................................................................................................................... 35
304 BSR 2019 Five step approach to stakeholder engagement ........................................................ 37
Lecture 3 strategies and stakeholders................................................................................................... 40
Week 4 articles ...................................................................................................................................... 48
401 Kourula 2023 .............................................................................................................................. 48
402 Atasu 2021 ................................................................................................................................. 50
403 IPCC 2023 ................................................................................................................................... 51
404 Joyce 2016 .................................................................................................................................. 51
Lecture 4 – Challenge and Solutions ..................................................................................................... 54
1
,Articles Week 1
101 Crane Chapter 3 2019
Normative ethical theories → Rules, guidelines, principles, and approaches that determine right and
wrong. Ethical theories that aim to prescribe the morally correct way of acting; that is, how we ought
to behave. code of conduct that all rational beings would adhere to.
Descriptive morality → applies to a code of conduct adopted by a particular group or society; it may
be the guidelines of a religion, for instance
The role of ethical theory
1. Ethical absolutism → On one side of the spectrum would be a position of ethical absolut-
ism, which claims that there are eternal, universally applicable moral principles. Accord- ing
to this view, right and wrong are objective qualities that can be rationally determined,
irrespective of the circumstances.
2. Ethical relativism → The other extreme would be a position of relativism, which claims that
morality is context-dependent and subjective. there are no universal right and wrongs that
can be rationally determined- it simply depends on the traditions, convictions, or practices of
those making the decision. Still a normative theory.
3. (Ethical pluralism) → This is something of an alternative approach to abso- lutism and
relativism. A pluralist approach accepts that we ought to recognize that incompat- ible values
can be equally legitimate and tolerate them as such
➔ Contemporary ethical theories → provide us with some alternative perspectives on ethical
theory. They often tend towards a more relativistic position.
Western Modernist Ethical Theoires
- Consequentialist
o Goal-oriented: If these outcomes are desirable, then the action in question is morally
right; if the outcomes of the action are not desirable, the action is morally wrong
o Based on the intended outcomes, the aims, or the goals of a certain action.
Consequentialist ethics is often also referred to by the term teleological, based on
the Greek word for 'goal'
- Principle -based
o These principle-based theories' prioritize what is right, rather than what is desirable
o These philosophical theories, also called deontological (based on the Greek word for
'duty'), look at the desirability of principles, and based on these principles, deduce a
'duty' to act accordingly in a given situation, regardless of the desirability of the
consequences.
Normative Theories in Business Ethics:
2
,The Consequentionalist Theories:
- Ethical Egoism → focusing on the outcomes and self-interest for the individual decision-
maker.
o A theory that suggests that an action is morally right if in a given situation all
decision-makers freely decide to pursue either their (short-term) desires of their
(long-term) interests
o Weaknesses in egoist ethics: this theory works fine if there is a mechanism in society
that makes sure that no individual egoist pursues their own interests at other
egoists' expense. I
- Ulitarianism → focusing on the wider social outcomes within a community (ethics of
outcome)
o “Greatest happiness principle”.it focuses solely on the consequences of an action,
weighs good outcomes against bad outcomes, and encourages the action that results
in the greatest amount of good for everyone involved
o It focuses on the collective welfare that is produced by a certain decision
o A theory which states that an action is morally right if it results in the greatest
amount of good for the greates amount of people affected by the action.
o In this hedonistic rendition of utilitarianism, utility is measured in terms of pleasure
and pain (the 'hedonistic' view)
o The essential characteristics of utilitarianism
▪ Consequentialism
▪ Hedonism (identified by pleasure and the absence of pain)
▪ Maximalism (the maximal amount of happiness)
▪ Universalism (consequences for everyone is considered)
o The problems:
▪ Subjectivity
▪ Equal weighting (think about universalism)
3
, ▪ Problems of quantification and calculation (difficult to assign costs to
situation)
▪ Distribution of the utility (interests of minoritets overlooked)
Principle Based Theories:
- Ethics of duties → they begin with assigning of the duty to act in a certain way
o For Kant, morality was a question of certain abstract and unchangeable obligations-
defined by a set of a priori moral rules- that humans should apply to all relevant
ethical problems
o humans could also be regarded as independent moral actors who made their own
rational decisions regarding right and wrong
o Categorical imperative → this theoretical framework should be applied to every
moral issue regardless of who is involved, who profits, and who is harmed by the
principles once they have been applied in specific situations.
▪ The key formilations:
• Universal acceptability → accept only if all rational beings can also
embrace it
• Respect for persons →treat humanity as an end, never merely as a
means to an end.
o Problems (with Kantianism)
▪ Undervaluing motivation
▪ Undervaluing outcomes given that this approach is on duty, not outcomes
▪ Assumption of rationality
- Ethics of rights: Human rights
o John Locke. He conceptualized the notion of 'natural rights', or moral claims, that
humans were entitled to, and which should be respected and protected (at that
time, primarily by the state)
o Human rights: Basic, inalienable, and unconditional entitlements that are inherent to
all human be- ings, without exception
o The responsibilities are directed at
▪ State → The state duty to protect human rights
▪ BUSINESS → The corporate responsibility to respect human rights –
▪ JUDICIARY → Access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses
o So.. it all about how fairly individuals are treated so that they get what they deserve
- Ethics of rights: Justice
o Justice is all about how fairly individuals are treated so that they get what they
deserve.
o Boatright 2014 → useful ways to view justice see fairness in 2 ways
▪ Fair procedures → it is determined according to whether everyone has bene
free to acquire rewards for their efforts
▪ Fair outcomes → it is determined according to whether the consequences
(positive and negative) are distributed in a just manner according to some
underlying principle such as need or merit)
- (Social contract theory)
4
