A634.9.4.RB - A Reflection of Our Learning

Select three key lessons you take away from the course. Share if your perception of ethics has changed. Has this course expanded your perspective on ethics as an individual, in an organization, and in society. If so, how. If not, why not?

While reflecting back on the past 8 weeks and reviewing all of the assignments, I am proud to say I took away quite a bit from this course. Ethics is extremely important part of society, and it provide a framework in which people can follow. Not falling for a slippery slope was one of my takeaways from the course. Being humble and not letting your position influence your decision making in a negative way is good character trait of a leader. My perception of organizational ethics has changed. I understand that not all dilemmas or decisions are black and white. Decisions should not be made in a vacuum and consequences, situations and decisions are all relative. This course was very insightful in exploring societal ethics. For example, I never before thought about the ethics of what I eat. The three specific lessons I take away from this course are outlined below.  

Module takeaways: 

1.  Discussed ethical dilemmas and how making ethical decisions in our lives is a complex task.
2.  Explored the definition of ethics and talked about the theories of ethics including consequentialism and deontology.
3. Dug into relativism and morality. we learned that as leaders, we will always have people and situations that will test our morals and our boundaries
4. Discovered how cultural issues such as gender, age, race, and religion impact ethical viewpoints.
5. Discussed the ethical implications of social media, technology, marketing, and the law.
6. Explored how we shall live as individuals.
7. Explored the concept of a code for managers, examined how leadership behaviors can influence our approach to the organization, and reflected on unethical behavior in the context of a successful practitioner.
8. Discussed how complex societal issues such as gun control and punishment have broad ethical implications

                                                                                                        ~LaFolette, 2007

 

Consequentialism 
The theory of consequentialism, as detailed by LaFollette (2007), is founded in its “claim that we are morally obligated to act in ways that produce the best consequences” (p. 23).

I believe circumstances and consequences matter and in order to make the best decisions with the most effective and ethical outcomes one must practice critical thinking. Elder & Paul (2013) state thinking tells us what to believe, what is important, what is true as well as everything we know, believe, want, fear, and hope for. "All thinking has an internal dynamic. It leads somewhere and, when acted upon, has consequences. You can't be a critical thinker if you are insensitive to the many implications inherent in your thinking." (Elder & Paul, 201, p. 87). Much like critical thinkers consider the Elements of Thought, consequentialists must consider and specify three dimensions:

    - Which consequences?
    - How much do they count?
    - How do they count?

The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule simply states, “You must treat others in the same way that you would want to be treated in the same situation.”

When I first considered the question to give examples where one might have to compromise the Golden Rule, my first instinct is to think “never, I always try to treat others how I want to be treated”.   There are in lies the problem and several assumptions: 1-Others want to be treated in the same manner that I do and/or 2-that I know (or assume to know) how others want to be treated. 

While the Golden Rule is a powerful and profound principle, not everyone is the same nor should they be treated the same in every situation.  People have differing motivations, drive and backgrounds that must be considered.  Just because we should be “considerate, thoughtful, and fair in how you treat others” (Putnam, 2016) doesn’t mean the consequences, background and outcomes will (or should be) the same.

Relativism and Morality
I believe morals and ethics are relative.  “Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced” (Santa Clara University, n.d.). 

My family has often referred to me as understanding and agreeable. With that, I often find myself being “swayed” by arguments and conversations on various topics and tolerant of others’ beliefs and actions.  Because of this, I thought of myself as inconsistent in my views and wishy washy.  However, through reflection after this week’s readings I feel I would be considered a relativist.  “Moral or ethical relativism is simultaneously the most influential and the most reviled of all relativistic positions” (Baghramian & Carter, 2015, para 4.5). While some see it as an indication of tolerance and open-mindedness, others think it signals confused thinking or immorality.

On the contrary, I believe relativism/relativists embodies the idea of intellectual empathy.  “Intellectual empathy requires us to think within the viewpoints of others, especially those we think are wrong” (Elder & Paul, 2013, p. 55).  As I believe that morals and ethics are relative, I must accept that my views may differ from someone else. When people empathize with others’ viewpoints, they gain new insights and expand their views.  

Individually we can make a difference. Collectively we can change the world.

References:
Baghramian, M., & Carter, J. (2015, September 11). Relativism. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/relativism/
Elder, L., & Paul, R. (2013). 30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living Through Critical Thinking: A Guide for Improving Every Aspect of Your Life. London: Prentice-Hall.Lafollette, H. (2007). The practice of ethics. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.
Putnam, M. (2016). The Golden Rule in Business. Retrieved from: https://globalethicssolutions.com/2016/11/28/golden-rule-business/
Santa Clara University. (n.d.). Ethical Relativism. Retrieved June 16, 2020, from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/ethical-relativism/