ASSIGNMENT # A   641 (CM)

Course: 50421618 (Indian Management Practices)

Topic: Define Ethics, norms, values and beliefs. Explain Kohlberg's theory of Ethical Judgment

Roll No: 489

Ethics

Ethics is the science of morals; it is that branch of philosophy that deals with human character and conduct. It is treaties on morals distinguished between right and wrong. The ethical conduct confirs with what a group or a society considers “right behavior”. It is a set of moral choices, rules and codes of conduct that governs behavior.

Theoretical ethics, sometimes called normative ethics, is about discovering and delineating right from wrong; it is the consideration of how we develop the rules and principles (or norms) used to judge and guide meaningful decision-making. Theoretical ethics is supremely intellectual in character, and, being a branch of philosophy, is also rational in nature. Theoretical ethics is the rational reflection on what is right, what is wrong, what is just, what is unjust, what is good, and what is bad in terms of human behavior.

Business ethics (also corporate ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations.

Norms

Norms are expectation of proper behavior not the requirement of that behavior. Norms are the ways an individual expects all the people to act in a given situation. They are inconsistent and universal. Norms are not published, may not be obeyed and cannot be enforced except by sanctions of a group who use penalties as disapproval or exclusion.

Norms are informal guidelines abut what is considered normal (what is correct or incorrect) social behavior in a particular group or social unit. Norms form the basis of collective expectations that members of a community have from each other, and play a key part in social control and social order by exerting a pressure on the individual to conform.

Values

Values are collective representations of what constitutes a good life or a good society. For e.g. health, self respect, tolerance, freedom etc. values is a term referring to things that people consider good or bad, right or wrong, desirable etc. Values are the potent source of conflict and cooperation.

Values are important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have major influence on a person’s behavior and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations.

Belief

Beliefs in an ethical code are standards of thought. Beliefs are criteria of abstract thought that does not necessarily evoke action. It may instigate or forces certain quest in the environment that coheres one to behave in a certain manner.

Beliefs are among the most primitive and central of mental constructs, and yet there is little agreement as to what they are or how they should be construed. They are basic to our understanding of a wide range of central phenomena in modern psychology. For example our beliefs are key components of our personalities and senses of identity, and our expressions of beliefs often define us to

Others. Many of our reactions to others are based on our beliefs and our perceptions of theirs, and it is impossible to understand racism, prejudice, religious and national conflicts without considering disagreement in basic belief systems.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Judgment.

Lawrence Kohlberg developed a theory describing the development or moral judgment based on concepts of objectivity, justice, and fairness. His research originally was focused on boys aged ten to sixteen, and was later refined and revised. His theory illustrates the development of moral judgment proceeding through three levels, each with two stages.

Pre-conventional Level

At the pre-conventional level, a child responds to cultural rules and labels of good or bad, right or wrong, based upon the consequences of the behavior such as reward or punishment, and the power of the person who expresses the rules.

STAGE 1: Punishment Obedience Orientation.

Avoidance of punishment and deference to power are valued and the physical consequences of action determine its goodness or badness.

Example: It would be bad for me to take my friend's toy because the teacher will punish me.

STAGE 2: Instrumental-Relativist Orientation

Satisfaction of one’s own needs and occasionally the needs of others determine actions. Elements of fairness, sharing and reciprocity are understood in the context of self-satisfaction rather than being based on concepts of loyalty or justice.

Example: If Katy is nice to me, I'll be nice to her, but if she is mean to me, I won't feel bad about being mean too.

Conventional Level

At the conventional level, living up to the expectations of one’s family, group or nation is a primary value. The individual identifies with the group, conforms to its expectations, and actively supports and maintains the group’s expectations.

STAGE 3: Interpersonal Concordance Orientation.

Behavior is shaped by what receives approval from others, and there is much conformity to stereotypical images of what is the majority behavior. Good intentions also earn favor.

Example: I better not drink and drive because my friends will think less of me and I, in turn, will think less of myself.

STAGE 4: Law and Order Orientation.

Good behavior is determined by an attitude of doing one’s duty, showing respect for authority, and maintaining the social order for its own sake.

Example: I am personally against the war, but would never publicly protest it on campus without the administration's permission.

Post conventional, Autonomous, or Principled Level.

This level is characterized by the definition of moral values based on acceptance of the values and principles as having justifiable social validity rather than because the individual identifies with the group or accepts authority.

STAGE 5: Social Contract. Legalistic Orientation, Generally with Utilitarian Overtones.

Correct behavior is defined by views of individual rights

and societal standards that have been critically examined and agreed upon by society. The individual is aware that there are differences in personal values and opinions, and that the circumstances of a given situation can affect behavioral outcomes. The individual recognizes that laws represent a societal consensus of agreed-upon rules, but that laws may be changed based on rational argumentation.

Example: It can't be right that huge corporations sometimes pay no taxes; that law needs to be changed, so that the burden of taxes falls more equally on everyone's shoulders.

Stage 6: Universal-Ethical-Principle Orientation

Behavior is ruled by a decision of conscience in accord with self-chosen ethical principles. These principles are based on universal concepts of justice, reciprocity, equality and respect for the dignity of all human beings.

Example: I refuse to obey a law, which treats a large portion of the population as second-class citizens.