Business Ethics Chapter 1 Glossary

In rights-based theories, the moral principles that agents should follow in their decisions involve respecting the moral rights of others.

In justice-based theories, the moral principles that agents should follow in their decisions involve treating others as moral equals.

Objective consequentialism requires agents to make those decisions which lead to the best consequences from a point of view that is independent of the psychological states of individual people.

Utilitarianism requires agents to make those decisions that maximize positive mental states (subjective states) in themselves and others.

In duty-based theories of ethics, the agent should follow the principle of doing his or her duty, regardless of the consequences.

Ethical egoism is the ethical theory that agents ought always to maximize their own self-interest.

A virtue ethics holds that persons and organizations ought to cultivate a virtuous or morally excellent character.

A vice is a stable character trait with negative moral significance. Examples are avarice, cowardice, dishonesty, and sleaziness.

A care ethics is an ethical approach based in the special relationships, like that of mother and child, which people have to one another, and in the relationship skills and emotional traits that make such attachments possible.

A virtue is a stable character trait with positive moral significance. Examples are courage, generosity, benevolence, and fairness.

A principle-based approach to ethical reasoning looks at the decision-maker’s motivations. It assesses the decision as right or wrong according to what ethical principles the agent follows, or does not follow, when she makes her decision.

A consequence-based approach to ethics focuses on the results or outcomes of the action, and maximizes net benefits to all concerned.

An identity-based approach to ethical reasoning focuses on what sort of person (organization) the agent (organization) is becoming, on whether she (it) is virtuous and has a good character.

A person, organization, or nonhuman entity has moral standing if we must consider his, her, or its interests in making an ethical decision.

An agent is morally accountable for an action and its consequences if, and only if, we should be prepared to praise or blame her for her freely made decision and for its results.

An entity has moral agency if it is capable of understanding moral principles, is capable of responding to moral reasons, and is able to accept praise or blame.