Academic Concept Simola - Assignment Example

Rest (1994) has identified four stages of ethical decision-making, including the following: recognition of the emergence of ethical issues, judgment related to the concept of morally appropriate behavior; the formation of intent to give precedence to moral values; and implementation of ethical right action.
2. What factors have been found to influence (either impede or enhance) our ability within the first stage?
The emotional factor is recognized to be a factor that might influence an individual’s ability within the first stage of recognition of the emergence of ethical issues (Simola 2010).

3. In what ways can emotion enhance our moral awareness?
Emotion can enhance an individual’s moral awareness if it contributes to engagement in whistle-blowing (Simola 2010). Thus, whistle-blowing behavior helps managers and other participants to detect surprising and irrational behavior (Simola 2010).

4. Can empathy (vs. “objective, rational thought) aid in ethical evaluation or judgment of what comprises a good course of action? Explain.
Empathy can aid in ethical evaluation or judgment of what comprises a good course of action because it can serve as a criterion based on which potential courses of action are judged (Simola 2010). Empathy toward other individuals enhances abilities in care forms of ethical reasoning, and thus it expands the views on what is moral or ethical about others (Simola 2010).

5. In what ways can discourses or conversations about desire (vs. discourses or conversations about what not to do) potentially lead to a stronger intention to do the right thing morally?

Discourses or conversations about desire potentially lead to a stronger intention to do the right thing morally as desire is forming the intentional behavior of an individual compared to discourses or conversations about what not to do. This is explained by the fact that discourses or conversations about “don’t” imply that individuals tend to make reactive decisions based on social expectations. Ethical decisions based on desire imply a proactive approach and are not based on the concerns/fears of social rules violations (Simola 2010).

6. Describe what is meant by “win-win” approaches for implementing moral action? How would one go about identifying a “win-win” solution? i.e., What factors characterize a thinking process aimed at a win-win solution?
Win-win approaches for implementing moral action are such approaches that solve ethical dilemmas with non-zero-sum outcomes. A win-win solution implies that a moral problem is solved in a way that doesn’t compromise the interests of the parties so that both parties win. The thinking process aimed at a win-win solution is focused not just on the particular underlying interests of specific stakeholders but seeks to expand the array of available options (Simola 2010).
Academic Concept Worksheet Treviño and Brown (2004) on“Debunking Five Business Ethics Myths”

1. Is moral awareness (i.e., recognition of emerging ethical issues) easy? Why or why not? Explain and give an example.
Moral awareness is not easy as it is an integral part of the complex process of ethical decision-making. Moral awareness depends on the individual’s ability to identify an ethical benchmark and social consensus. From the perspective of an individual, moral awareness is relatively easy to issue as it is often predetermined by society and moral language (Treviño and Brown 2004).

2. When ethical issues occur in organizations, are they typically because of a few bad apples? Explain and identify some specific social factors that can lead to unethical behavior.
When ethical issues occur in organizations, they are typically the result of the organizational context rather than because of a few bad apples. Influence of peers, obedience to authority, and the environment encouraging or supporting flawed behavior are the social factors that can lead to unethical behavior (Treviño and Brown 2004).

3. Go onto the internet and do some research on “system 1 and system 2” thinking (also often referred to as System X and System C thinking). To what do these refer? Describe their implications for ethical decision-making and action. Read More