Modular Learning Objectives

Welcome to Module 1 of Ethics 501!

In this first module of the course, we are going to establish a foundation for our study of business ethics. Essentially, the study of business ethics is rooted in philosophical ethics. Certain approaches to philosophical ethics – such as virtue ethics – can be traced as far back as Plato and Aristotle. As you proceed through the course, you’ll be surprised to learn the extent to which business and organizational management academicians rely on philosophical ethics as a basis for understanding and informing business ethics.

In Module 1, we will approach business ethics using deontological ethics as a framework. Deontological ethics are rooted in the maxim that I must act in a certain way for no other reason than because it is the right way to act - in essence, I should act in a certain way because it is my duty to do so. In this module, we will explore this notion of duty - we will also explore Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative, which is the obligation that I always act in such a way that I could, rationally, will the principle upon which I have acted to be a universal law. Simply stated, Kant is saying that I must always act in such a way that I would want my behavior to become universally accepted (or to become a universal law). Therefore, I should not kill because I would likely not wish for the act of murder to become a universally acceptable behavior - or a universal law. It is my duty not to do any kind of harm to other persons. To do otherwise (i.e., to actively harm other persons knowing that it is my duty not to harm them), according to Kant, is irrational.

In the Session Long Project, or SLP, we'll be reviewing the standards for writing a graduate-level paper. We'll be applying the Trident University International (TUI) writing standards to a short business ethics essay.