ETHICAL THEORIES
This moral principle says we should treat others as we want to be treated.
What is the Golden Rule?
This story asks whether people would act morally if they could become invisible.
What is the Ring of Gyges?
The philosopher who argued that selfishness is a virtue.
Who is Ayn Rand?
The economist who wrote “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits.”
Who is Milton Friedman?
You lie to protect a friend from punishment. Is it ethical? Why?
Golden Rule, relativism, virtue
The belief that morality depends on cultural or personal perspective.
What is moral relativism?
In the Ring of Gyges, the man uses the ring to gain power, kill the king, and take the throne. This suggests morality depends on what?
What is lack of consequences?
“The achievement of his own happiness is man’s highest moral purpose.”
What is ethical egoism according to Ayn Rand?
“The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.”
What is Friedman’s shareholder theory?
Is morality real, or just socially constructed?
Relativism vs. objectivism
“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” This idea supports living morally with integrity rather than selfish fear.
It is dishonest and unfair to others.
"No one is just willingly, but only when compelled.”
What is the claim that morality exists only because of fear of punishment?
The opposite of selfishness; putting others first.
What is altruism?
According to Friedman, a business executive’s primary responsibility is to whom?
The shareholders.
Is selfishness ever moral?
Ethical egoism vs. altruism
The theory that actions are right if they promote one’s own self-interest.
What is ethical egoism?
If someone acts morally only when being watched, they lack this internal quality.
What is virtue?
The Kitty Genovese case demonstrated this psychological phenomenon where people fail to help when others are present.
What is the bystander effect?
Critics argue businesses should also consider this beyond profits.
What is social responsibility or stakeholders?
Why not be a bad person if you can get away with it?
Ring of Gyges
Self-respect
Virtue Social
consequences
“Do not do to others what you would not want done to you.”
What is the Golden Rule expressed in negative form?
Choice Card Moral Dilemma
You find a way to cheat on every test without getting caught. No one would ever know. Do you do it?
If YES, Gain points now, but lose integrity relates to Gyges & egoism.
If NO, keep self-respect and moral consistency, virtue ethics.
“The achievement of his own happiness is man’s highest moral purpose.”
Is selfishness morally defensible in situations where others are in danger?
Can profit ever conflict with moral responsibility?
Profit motive, dignity, stakeholder theory, ethics in capitalism
If you had the Ring of Gyges and owned a company, would you follow Friedman’s profit theory or the Golden Rule?
Justice, egoism, profit motive, altruism, virtue, moral accountability