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CHAPTER 1Laws and Their Ethical Foundation

1-3 Ethical Bases for Laws A summary of the information in this section

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1-31-3 Ethical Bases for Laws

GOALS Define ethics Compare and contrast ethics based on

consequences with ethics based on systems of rules

Discuss ways in which ethics are reflected in laws

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Law for Business and Personal UseLaw for Business and Personal Use© Thomson South-Western

ETHICS AND THE LAW

Basic forms of ethical reasoning Rule-based ethical reasoning Consequences-based ethical reasoning

Ethics reflected in laws

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Rule-Based Ethical Reasoning

With Rule-Based Ethical Reasoning it does not matter what the reason for doing something is. If it is against the law, breaks a rule or

violates a written order it is wrong. NO QUESTIONS or EXCUSES To test if it is ethical:

Ask “Is this breaking a rule, rule or order?”

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Consequences-Based Ethical Reasoning

With Consequences-Based Ethical Reasoning one has to decide if the good outweighs the bad. If the decision benefits more people or is

for the greater good, it can be ethical even if it breaks a law, rule or order.

The good outweighs the bad for more people (not just an individual).

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Ethical Example The murder of Adolf Hitler

Rule-Based states this is ethically wrong. It is against the law to commit murder, religious

teachings say murder is wrong. It is always wrong under rule based ethical reasoning.

Consequences-Based states that this could be ethically correct. The good for many would outweigh the murder of one. Some would still not believe this is ethically OK-it is a

personal decision one cannot make for another.

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You find a cell phone left near one of the computers. What is the ethical thing to do? Why?

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You are babysitting and the kids want pizza. You know there is $20 on the parents’ dresser. They have NOT given you permission to order pizza.

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Under Rule Based Ethical Reasoning is it ethical to use the money?

Under Consequence Based Ethical Reasoning is it ethical to use the money?

Why?

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Warm Up Assignment Answer the questions on the slides

before and email your answers to Mrs. Ferris. Be sure to be clear and explain your position for each of them!