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CHAPTER ONE
ETHICS
MUSOLINO
SUNY CRIMINAL & BUSINESS LAW
Learning Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Define law and morality.
Distinguish between natural law and
positive law.
Explain ethical relativism.
Describe the social contract theory.
Outline the steps in applying
utilitarianism.
Define rational ethics.
1-2
Learning Objectives (cont.)
7.
8.
9.
10.
Identify the ethical character traits
reflected in role model ethics.
Outline the arguments supporting social
responsibility.
Explore the need for law in our society.
Clarify how the law and ethics are
usually in harmony with one another.
1-3
The Law and Morality

The Law
 consists
of rules of conduct established by the
government of a society to maintain harmony,
stability, and justice
1-4
Question?
What defines the legal rights and duties of
the people?
A. Ethics
B. Values
C. Morals
D. Law
1-5
The Law and Morality

The Law
 defines
the legal rights and duties of the
people
 provides a way to protect the people by
enforcing these rights and duties
 a means of civil management
1-6
Question?
What are values that govern a society’s
attitude toward right and wrong?
A. Morals
B. Ethics
C. Societal values
D. Law
1-7
The Law and Morality

Morals
 values
that govern a society’s attitude toward
right and wrong and toward good and evil
 serves as a guide for those bodies that make,
interpret, and enforce the law
1-8
Values and Ethics

Ethics
 the
attempt to develop a means of
determining what fundamental values ought
to be and for formulating and applying rules
that enforce those values
1-9
Question?
Which theory says that human intuition will
always give rise to positive moral laws?
A. Natural law
B. Positive law
C. Law of humanity
D. Law of peoples
1-10
Natural Law Theory

Natural law
 sees
law as originating from some objective,
superior force that stands outside the
everyday experience of most people
 exists an unbreakable link joining morality to
the law inn a fundamental way
1-11
Positive Law Theory

Positive Law
 legal
theory that says that the law originates
from an outside source that has emerged from
within society
 social institutions
1-12
Positive Law Theory

Law of Peoples
 human
intuition will always give rise to
positive moral laws that are global in scope
 common to everyone
1-13
Question?
Which ethical theory calls for the greatest
good for the greatest number?
A. Totalitarianism
B. Utilitarianism
C. Unilateralism
D. Multiplicity
1-14
Ethical Theories

Ethical relativism
 there
are no objective or absolute standards of
right and wrong
 standards change from circumstance to
circumstance
 also called subjective ethics
1-15
Question?
Which ethical theory calls for individuals to
give up certain freedoms?
A. Ethical relativism
B. Social contract theory
C. Situational ethics
D. Utilitarianism
1-16
Ethical Theories

Situational ethics
 argues
that each of us can judge a person’s
ethical decisions only by initially placing
ourselves in the other person’s situation
 encourages people to look at others with
tolerance and patience
1-17
Ethical Theories

Social contract theory
 holds
that right and wrong are measured by
the obligations imposed on each individual by
an implied agreement among all individuals
within a particular social system
 people must give up certain freedoms
1-18
Ethical Theories

Utilitarianism
 the
morality of an action is determined by its
ultimate effects
 Greatest good for the greatest number
1-19
Ethical Theories

Rational ethics
 ethical
values can be determined by a proper
application of human reason
 Should establish universal rules of behavior
that apply to all people at all times
 Also called objective ethics
1-20
Question?
What encourages people to pattern their
behavior after admirable individuals?
A. Transformational ethics
B. Charismatic ethics
C. Role-model ethics
D. Role play ethics
1-21
Ethical Theories

Role model ethics
 encourages
people to pattern their behavior
after admirable individuals whose activities
provide examples of the proper way to act
 Provides concrete examples of how to behave
1-22
Ethical Characteristics
1-23
Ethical Character Traits
Honesty
 Compassion
 Integrity
 Fairness

1-24
Social Responsibility in the Business Sector
The traditional view of corporate culture
says that privately owned corporations are
created solely to make a profit for their
shareholders
 The foremost job of any manager is to
maximize profits

1-25
Reasons for Social Responsibility
Corporation offers limited liability to
owners
 Corporation is considered an artificially
created person
 Corporation can own property and bring
lawsuits

1-26
Reasons for Social Responsibility
Because corporations have these rights
they owe an obligation to the public to act
responsibly
 Decisions of corporate managers should
not be narrowly focused on profits
 Accepting social responsibility is in the
long-term interest of the corporation

1-27
Efforts to Promote Social Responsibility

Statutes now permit managers to consider
factors other than profit in making
decisions
 Economic
well-being of the nation, the state,
and the local community
 Interests of employees, consumers, and
suppliers
 The betterment of the environment, the
economy, and the overall social structure
1-28
The Relationship Between Law and Ethics
The law is needed because, although
people know better, they do not always
follow ethical principles
 Ethical principles can tell us what is right,
but cannot stop us from doing wrong
 The law can punish us if we choose to do
wrong

1-29