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UNIT IIVIRTUE ETHICSVirtue

A State of character or habitWhich Is the result of dispositions (disposal) and deliberations Prompting us to actionsWithin the context of the human goods which we pursue in our liveshabitual actions based on valuesVirtueA state of characterConcerned with choice,This being determined by rational (logical) principles, and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom would determine itVirtue (Aristotles Definition)Proper position between two extremesVice of excessVice of deficiencyevery knowledgeable person avoids excess and deficiency, but looks for the mean and chooses it

The Doctrine of the MeanDefined through ReasonEducation, contemplation, reflectionBalanced with other Virtues and applied using phronesis: ( Greek word for intelligence)To have any single strength of character in full measure, a person must have the other ones as well.* (*Hinman)

Courage without good judgement is blindCourage without perseverance (determination) is short-livedCourage without a clear sense of your own abilities is foolhardyThe virtuous person has practical wisdom, the ability to know when and how best to apply these various moral perspectives.Virtues and the MeanThe Right PersonThe Right ObjectThe Right AmountThe Right TimeThe Right EndThe Right WayConsiderationsIntellectual VirtuesWisdom, Understanding, Prudence (common sense)Taught through instructionMoral VirtuesPrudence( judgment), Justice, TemperanceThe result of habitNot natural or inborn but acquired through practiceHabit or disposition of the soul (our fundamental character) which involves both feeling and action.The VirtuesVIRTUE ETHICSFrom Aristotle to the 21st century

Why Should I Be Moral?Because of My Character!Utilitarian and Kantian ethics both address the following question What actions are right?Virtue ethics asks What kind of person should I be?Moral character rather than right action is fundamental in this ethical tradition which originated with the ancient Greeks and received fullest expression in Aristotles Nicomachean ethics.Virtue ethicsAristotle not only made the case for the necessity of virtue for good living but also described particular virtues in illuminating detail.Aristotle defines virtue as a character trait (characteristics) that manifests itself in habitual action.Honesty for example cannot consist in telling the truth once. It is the trait of a person who tells the truth as a general practice.

Virtue ethicsFor the Greeks, virtue means excellence and ethics was concerned with excellences of human character.

Virtue Ethics = Excellences of human character

A person possessing such qualities exhibited the excellences of human character. The qualities are to function well as a human being.

Virtue ethicsVirtue Ethics theory does three things:It defines the concept of a virtue.It must offer some list of the virtues.It offers some justification of that list and explains how we define what are virtues and vices.E.g. Honesty is in the list of the virtues.

Virtue ethicsThe list of possible virtues is long. There is no general agreement on which is most important. The possibilities include:CourageHonestyBenevolence (kindness or kind hearted)ToleranceGenerositySelf-control etc.Virtue ethicsVirtue theorists try to identify the list of virtues and to give an account of each. They give an account of why the virtues are important.Virtue theory seems to fill the gap left by other theories, since it addresses the question of moral character. While the other theories are focused primarily on action and decision making. Virtue ethicsVirtue, for Aristotle, is integrally related to what he calls practical wisdom which may be described roughly as the whole of what a person needs in order to do well. Most lists of the virtues contain few surprises. Such traits benevolence, courage, courtesy, dependability, friendliness, honesty, loyalty, moderation, self-control and toleration are most talked about. Virtue ethics theoryVirtues are acquired traits. Mere feelings like anger are not virtues according to Aristotle. Honesty on the other hand cannot consist in telling the truth once. It is the trait of a person who tells the truth as a general practice. A virtue is also something we actually practice. Honesty involves habitually telling the truth. Virtue ethics theoryAristotle classified virtue as a state of a character, which is different from a feeling or a skill. A virtue is something that we admire in a person; a virtue is an excellence of some kind that is worth having its own sake. Honesty is a trait that everyone needs for a good life. Virtues are those traits that everyone needs for the good ones no matter his or her specific situation. Virtue ethics theoryVirtue Ethics could be applied to business, if the virtues of a good business person are the same as those of a good person. A moral virtue is an acquired disposition that is valued as part of the character of a morally good human being. A moral virtue can be acquired, and not merely a natural characteristic such as intelligence, beauty or natural strength. It is praiseworthy in part because it is an achievement. Its development requires effort.Virtue ethics in businessThe idea of virtue business is not hopelessly out of place. There are certain character traits that will lead to success in business and also elevate the tone of business. The world of business contains leaders and ordinary workers with exemplary character.Virtue ethics in businessUtilitarianism and Kantian ethics provide universal moral principles that can be applied to specific cases The proponents of a virtue ethics approach respond that people generally do not reason in that way. Codes of ethics generally offer abstract principles and sometimes specific rules. They stress that a professional should be a person of integrity. This conception of the character of a professional may be more effective guide than principles and rules.Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtual EthicsWe consider the interests of family members, friends, and members of a local community to be of greater moral importance. The virtue ethics view individuals as embedded in a community and holds that a web of close relationships is essential for a good life (Its proponents claim, to give an account of the importance of relations in morality)Strengths and Weaknesses of Virtual EthicsA situation in which an individual feels compelled to make a choice between two or more actions that he or she can reasonably and morally justify, or when evidence or an arguments are inconclusive, is called an ethical dilemma (Beauchamp&Childress,2001;McConnell,2002).

One action must be chosen because performing both actions would be impossible23Ethical Dilemma Ethical dilemma are genuine dilemmas because each side is firmly rooted in one of our basic, core values. Four such dilemmas are so common Truth versus loyaltyIndividual versus communityShort-term versus long-termJustice versus mercy24Ethical DilemmaAn ethical dilemma exists when one is faced with having to make a choice among the following alternatives.Significant value conflicts among differing interestsReal alternatives that are equally justiciableSignificant consequences on stake holders in the situation25Ethical DilemmaEthical dilemma are complex judgments on the balance betweenthe economic performance and social performance of an organization Dilemmas are complex when managers have no clear guidelines either in law or religion26Ethical DilemmaA situation would be considered whether it is an ethical dilemma under three conditions. The first condition occurs in situations when an individual must make a decision about which course of action is best.Situations that are uncomfortable but that don't require a choice are not ethical dilemmas.The second condition for ethical dilemma is that there must be different courses of action to choose from.Third, in an ethical dilemma, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is compromised.In other words, there is no perfect solution.

27Ethical DilemmaIn determining what constitutes an ethical dilemma, it is necessary to make a distinction between ethics, values, morals, and laws and policies.Ethics are prepositional statements (standards) that are used by members of a profession or group to determine what the right course of action in a situation is.According to RalphDolgoff, Donna Harrington, Frank M. Loewenberg (2009),Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice(Ethics & Legal Issues), Ethics rely on logical and rational criteria to reach a decision, an essentially cognitive process. A method for systematically selecting among possible choices that is based on reason and facts: In a rationaldecision making process, a business mangerwill often employ a series of analytical steps to review relevantfacts, observations and possible outcomes before choosing a particular course of action.28Ethical DilemmaEthics rely on logical and rational criteria to reach a decision, an essentially cognitive process (Congress, 1999; Dolgoff, Loewenberg, & Harrington, 2009; Reamer, 1995; Robison & Reeser, 2002).29Ethical DilemmaA situation that arises when all alternative choices or behaviors have been deemed undesirable because...

potentially of negative ethical consequences, making it difficult to distinguish right from wrong30Ethical DilemmaMost ethical dilemmas involve

Conflict between needs of the part & wholeIndividual versus the organization Organization versus society as a whole

31Ethical DilemmaEthical DilemmaLaws dont cover everything.Free market and regulated market mechanisms dont describe how to respond to complex issues that have far reaching ethical consequences.Complex problems often require an intuitive or learned understanding and concern for fairness, justice, due process to people, groups, and communities.Consequences.

Ethical DilemmaWhat is an ethical dilemma?

An ethical dilemma is a situation that involves at least an ethical issue where a clear decision or a choice becomes problematic because of competing claims or interestThere may be conflicts in the choice to be made. In this case the solution may not lie in the interest of the company or the decision makerThe decision is possible if the person is straightforward and does not bother about the consequences of the decision Ethical DilemmaWhat is an ethical dilemma?

In an ethical dilemma the choice has to be made between two desirable or undesirable situationIn a dilemma usually there may be two or more than two choices.In the case of ethical dilemma the decision rules are not clear-cut and may be of conflicting value.For ethical dilemma solution are not unique or universal. It depends to a great extend on the ethical background and personality pattern of the decision maker. Ethical DilemmaCharacteristics and features of ethical dilemma If one analyses the causes of ethical dilemma, it becomes clear that in the case of dilemmas:Social cost and private gains are differentNo linkages is established between the two alternative courses of actions or choicesCompetitive behaviour gains predominance in many cases.There may be an inconsistency between goalsCross cultural value differential do existThere are some pressures from somewhere

Ethical DilemmaCharacteristics and features of ethical dilemma If one analyses the causes of ethical dilemma, it becomes clear that in the case of dilemmas:Social cost and private gains are differentNo linkages is established between the two alternative courses of actions or choicesCompetitive behaviour gains predominance in many cases.There may be an inconsistency between goalsCross cultural value differential do existThere are some pressures from somewhere

Salient features of Ethical DilemmaEthical Dilemma involves multiple choices to be followed Ethical Dilemma involves uncertain consequencesEthical Dilemma produce mixed consequences.People might be involved directly or indirectly in ethical dilemma