How a person makes decisions can be based on multiple different things. A lot can be based on a person’s values and morals. These morals and values can be very different from person to person and culture to culture. Culture is the learned portion of human behavior, it is the basis many values and morals are built on. Just because a person has different ideas from you does not make them wrong. Ethical decisions must be made by looking at and accepting different viewpoints. The Ethical Lens Inventory (ELI) is a tool to help determine how one makes decisions. To begin to understand the ELI, one must understand the four core values of autonomy, sensibility, rationality, and equality. Autonomy is defined by dictionary.com as “the independence …show more content…
or freedom, as of the will or one’s actions” (2018). Autonomy is when a person wants to make independent decisions. Sensibility is defined as “the ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences” (dictionary.com, 2018). Sensibility is a person’s empathy and compassion. Rationality is defined as “the quality of being based on or in accordance with reason or logic” (dictionary.com, 2018). Rationality is the use of critical thinking and analysis. Equality is defined as “the sate of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities” (dictionary.com, 2018). Equality looks at what is best for the community or population. Each person can rate these core values at different levels of importance, that is the key to determine how one makes decisions. The ELI, through a series of questions, is able to narrow it down to four different lens or viewpoints: Results Lens, Responsibilities Lens, Reputation Lens, and Relationship Lens. The values of rationality and sensibility help us decide what behavior is ethical. The values of autonomy and equality help us decide who to give priority to, individuals or community. A person may have an intense preference, considered preference, mild preference, or no preference in a lens. Each lens has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just as the world today is made up of people who have different viewpoints, the different lenses see problems and solutions differently. No one lens is better than another, just different. A person’s home lens is the lens that best reflects their values. A neighboring lens may have values very similar to the home lens. The opposing lens, which is the lens diagonal from the home lens, is the lens that has the most different values from the home lens. When a person’s values straddle two different lenses it is called blended lenses (Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory, 2018). The Results Lens can be referred to as the “Path of the Hero”. The person who has the Results Lens rates high in autonomy and sensibility-based values. This person seeks to determine what they want to have, do, and become; what kind of person do they want to be. The task of this person is to find what will make them happy. This person is self-restrained. This person uses emotion and passion in present time to determine the goals that they wish to obtain. This person is loyal, effective, creative, and avoids conflicts of interest. The downfall of this person is being satisfied with too little good. The symbol of the Results Lens is the magnifying glass (Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory, 2018). The Responsibilities Lens can be referred to as the “Path of the Thinker”. This person’s values rate high in autonomy and rationality. This person believes that everyone gets to choose how they want to live their life. A main task for this person is to identify ethical principles that apply to all people. This person makes wise decisions using reason in everyday situations. This person is truthful, private, and embraces free speech and transparency. The downfall of this person is believing that a good motive justifies the method. The symbol of the Responsibilities Lens is the telescope (Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory, 2018). The Reputation Lens can be referred to as the “Path of the Saint”. This person rates high in equality and sensibility-based values. This person wants excellence in life and leads a life of service. This person learns from and wants to be a respected role model in the community. The task of this person is determining the values that should be held by people in positions of responsibility. This person is a compassionate and courageous leader, one that has integrity and embraces civility. The downfall of this person is unrealistic role expectations. The symbol of the Reputation Lens is the camera (Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory, 2018). The Relationship Lens can be referred to as the “Path of the Citizen”.
This person rates equality and rationality as important values. This person has a strong sense of community and wants to treat people fairly. The task of this person is fundamental fairness and encouraging others to care for those less fortunate. This person is just and fair. This person holds all people appropriately accountable and uses power wisely. This person wants to make sure that everyone has access to the same things such as health care and fair paying jobs. This person’s downfall is overconfidence in process. The symbol of the Relationship Lens is a pair of binoculars (Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory, …show more content…
2018). Another way to look at ethics is through different viewpoints. The teleological viewpoint is also known as the utilitarian view point. Teleological ethics are based on the “theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018). This viewpoint focuses on the goal of the ethical action and bases moral judgements on the outcomes of a decision. If the outcome is positive, then the action or answer is considered morally right. If the outcome is negative, then the action or answer is considered morally wrong. An example of this is that if a person is killed and it is deemed self-defense, then that killing was justifiable and morally ok. Many of the values and morals of the ELI Results Lens are based on the teleological viewpoint. The deontological viewpoint is also known as Kant’s Categorical Imperative.
Deontological ethics are “ethical theories that place special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018). This viewpoint focuses more on the action itself rather than the outcome. Per Kant’s Categorical Imperative one should “so act that you treat humanity in your own person and in the person of everyone else always at the same time as an end and never merely as means” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018). An example of this is that killing is wrong, even if it is in self-defense. Many of the values and morals of the ELI Responsibilities Lens are based on the deontological
viewpoint. Christian ethics are based on the holiness-justice-love model. Holiness is defined as “the concept of single-minded devotion to God and absolute ethical purity” (Hill, 2008, p. 23). The goal of holiness is to be Godlike. Justice “provides order to human relationships by laying out reciprocal sets of duties and rights for those living in the context of community” (Hill, 2008, p. 37). Think of justice as a guide or rulebook on right and wrongs, the “is it ok to do that” part of life. Love is “the greatest human virtue and the hinge for every other moral rule to swing on” (Hill, 2008, p. 53). Love is treating others the way that you want to be treated, it involves caring, compassion, and forgiveness. When pondering Christian ethics, one must accept that while holiness, justice, and love can be separated, the goal is to keep them intertwined and make decisions using all three concepts. To live a Christian ethical life, one’s goal is to be holy, remain just, and love all. One must remember the phrase WWJD, what would Jesus do, and make decisions accordingly. When thinking about Christian ethics, one must remember that other cultures have different beliefs, and that those beliefs need to be considered also. Social responsibility is “an ethical theory, in which individuals are accountable for fulfilling their civic duty; the actions of an individual must benefit the whole of society” (Pachamama Alliance, 2018). There must be a balance between growth and welfare. If a decision would negatively affect the community, then it is wrong. For example, if a company was to build a manufacturing plant that would increase water or environmental pollution, then it would be socially irresponsible and wrong to do. Now if a company would build a plant that would not increase pollution and brings good paying jobs to the community, then it would be socially responsible and right. Legalism “is the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws” (dictionary.com, 2018). This viewpoint is based on what is the law, and did a person follow the law. That may sound very cut and dry, but one must remember that laws are changed frequently. That yes, a law was followed, but was the law just. There are many laws that have been passed that can be deemed as morally and ethically wrong. Some laws are written for hidden agendas and corruption, not for the good of the community or people. Professional ethics are the “professionally accepted standards of personal and business behavior, values and guiding principles” (Business Dictionary, 2018). Professional ethics are the code of conduct for a business, the guide for employees to help them perform their job with consistent ethical principles. Professional ethics are different depending on the profession. Professional ethics should be maintained by the business and all its employees. Many of these viewpoints can be combined to make sound ethical decisions. As the world becomes more blended in cultures, different viewpoints need to be considered and accepted. An ethical decision for one person may be unethical to another. Anger and prejudice has no place in making ethical decisions. Decisions should be made with kindness and love, for the better of the world and its peoples. References (2018). Retrieved from Pachamama Alliance: www.pachamama.org (2018). Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica: www.britannica.com (2018). Retrieved from dictionary.com: www.dictionary.com (2018). Retrieved from Business Dictionary: www.businessdictionary.com Ethicsgame Ethical Lense Inventory. (2018). Retrieved from Ethicsgame: http://www.ethicsgame.com Hill, A. (2008). Just business: Christian ethics for the marketplace (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
The results of the Ethical Lens Inventory reveal a Relationship lens as the author’s preferred ethical lens. Particularly, a moderate preference for equality and rationality was realized among other possibilities on the ELI grid.
Ethical Lens Inventory (ELI), is to identify how individuals concentrate on core values when making decisions. It is designed to help you learn which category of the four lenses you belong to. There are four lenses in the model, each dealing with rationality, sensibility, autonomy, and equality. These lenses are relationship, reputation, results, and rights/responsibilities. The relationship lens describes an individual who makes decisions based on rationality and sensibility. In this lens individuals rely on emotion and intuition with emphasis on the community. This lens also values fairness. The reputation lens describes an individual who makes decisions based on equality and sensibility. In this lens an individual relies on compassion of
Deontology diverges from consequentialism because deontology concentrates on the rightness or wrongness of the actions themselves instead of the consequences. There are different types of deontological theories. According to Kant, theoretical reasoning helps us discover what we should believe whereas the practical reasoning tells us what we should do. Morality falls under theoretical reasoning. In Kantian deontology, motives matter. Rather than consequences, it is the motive of an action makes that action morally right or wrong. Likewise, if an action intends to hurt someone, but eventually it benefits the other person, then it does not make that action morally right. All in all, deontology comes down to common-sense: whether it is a good action or a bad
The deontological view would be that we should act according to a set of rules, obligations, or duties that we must fulfil, unmindful of the consequences. Kant, a popular deontological philosopher of the 19th century, wrote in his “Foundations of Metaphysics of Morals”,
What is ethics? Ethics are the philosophical principles of good verses bad moral behavior. It is a guideline to help people make decisions or make a judgment calls. There are two main types of ethical principles that will be discussed in this paper, and how they are applied to the decision making process. They are Deontological and Utilitarian. Deontological ethics are based on the righteousness or wrongness of the action-taking place. It does not base itself on the bad or good consequences that come from the action. Immanuel Kant introduced deontological ethics in the 18th century. Kant believed that every decision or action made by a person had to be evaluated by his or her moral duty. He stated that humanity shouldn’t side on its
Deontology is when an action is considered morally good because of the action itself not the product of the action ("Deontological Ethics"). When applying Kant’s theory one also has to take into account the two aspects in determining what exactly the right thing in any situation is. They include universality and respect for persons. Universality states that you must “act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will to be a universal law”(Manias). Respect for person’s states that one must “act so that you treat humanity, weather in your own person or that of another; always as an end and never as a means only” (Manias). With this being said one must apply both of these to any option they are
Ethics are the principles that shape individual lives in modern society. It is a subjective idea that seems to have a standard in society. Ethics and morals are the major factors that guide individuals to make right and wrong choices. Something that is morally right to one person might be the very opposite of what another person would view as right. There are many factors that can trigger a change in an individual’s view of morality.
German philosopher Immanuel Kant popularized the philosophy of deontology, which is described as actions that are based on obligation rather than personal gain or happiness (Rich & Butts, 2014). While developing his theory, Kant deemed two qualities that are essential for an action to be deemed an ethical. First, he believed it was never acceptable to sacrifice freedom of others to achieve a desired goal. In other words, he believed in equal respect for all humans. Each human has a right for freedom and justice, and if an action takes away the freedom of another, it is no longer ethical or morally correct. Secondly, he held that good will is most important, and that what is good is not determined by the outcome of the situation but by the action made (Johnson, 2008). In short, he simply meant that the consequences of a situation do not matter, only the intention of an action. Kant also declared that for an act to be considered morally correct, the act must be driven by duty alone. By extension, there could be no other motivation such as lo...
Deontology is an ethical theory concerned with duties and rights. The founder of deontological ethics was a German philosopher named Immanuel Kant. Kant’s deontological perspective implies people are sensitive to moral duties that require or prohibit certain behaviors, irrespective of the consequences (Tanner, Medin, & Iliev, 2008). The main focus of deontology is duty: deontology is derived from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. A duty is morally mandated action, for instance, the duty never to lie and always to keep your word. Based on Kant, even when individuals do not want to act on duty they are ethically obligated to do so (Rich, 2008).
Deontological moral theory is a Non-Consequentialist moral theory. While consequentialists believe the ends always justify the means, deontologists assert that the rightness of an action is not simply dependent on maximizing the good, if that action goes against what is considered moral. It is the inherent nature of the act alone that determines its ethical standing. For example, imagine a situation where there are four critical condition patients in a hospital who each need a different organ in order to survive. Then, a healthy man comes to the doctor’s office for a routine check-up.
Deontology in Immanuel Kant’s point of view is all about duty and not inclination of morality. For example, the First Proposition of Morality is an action that must be done from duty to have moral worth (298). In other words, if one were feeling generous and wanted to give money to the ones who really need it, this technically would not be moral worthy according to Kant. The reason why for this is because that person did not do it out of duty but instead out of free will. For one’s action to have moral worth, it could be an example of one going to work everyday. Everyone has their own specific job to do at work and that is their duty. All in all, Kant views that deontology must come from an action of duty in order for it to be moral worthy and it is not the consequences that determines what is right or wrong.
Deontological ethical theory focuses on duty. It is viewed that humans have a duty in doing what is ethically right in any given situation. However, the categorical imperative does not have the same ideas it does not consist of duties to us. As Kant indicates in the idea of the Kingdom of Ends that our duty lies in treating all human beings as ends in and of them instead of as a means to an end it is perceived as being an extension of us. It is based on the desires of a person on how they want to be treated and will succeed as long as the universal good is applied as well. In other words, our actions and behaviors applied in our lives, we can see others imitating. For instance, can we see a world where everyone lied willingly? It does not make sense it would defeat the purpose of being able to identify the truth there would be no meaning. The ethical duty is to be truthful.
As a function, ethics is a philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct, and of the rules and principles it should govern. As a system, ethics are a social, religious, or civil code of behavior considered correct by a particular group, profession, or individual. As an instrument, ethics provide perspective regarding the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, or potential outcomes. Ethical decision-making can include many types, including deontological (duty), consequentialism (including utilitarianism), and virtue ethics. Additionally, subsets of relativism, objectivism, and pluralism seek to understand the impact of moral diversity on a human level. Although distinct differences separate these ethical systems, organizations
Ethics is the field of philosophy that deals with morality, human behavior and its moral will to decide what is good and what is bad. As one of the departments of philosophy, also called practical philosophy, it is an extensive science and discusses a wide variety of very different aspects of ethics and morality. One of its kinds is a deontological ethics, which according to Joseph Rickaby is a set of ethical codes that are of interest or which are in accordance with moral rules and regulations. The main precursor of the deontological theory is considered to be the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, who completely sacrificed himself to science while acknowledging ethics as the most important field of philosophy. Kant's theory tells us that if we want to act ethically, we cannot do certain acts even if negligence can bring negative results.
A deontologist asserts that you should do your duty even if you or others suffer as a consequence. Deontology is seen as an obligation to protect regardless of the impact it has on others, whether it be people, animals, and/or the environment and so on. “Deontology focuses on the duties and obligations one has in carrying out actions rather than on the consequences of those actions” (Mosser, 2013). According to deontologist Immanuel Kant, when doing your duty as a deontologist there are “categorical imperatives” that should be followed. In other words there are exceptions for why one is not taking action. “All imperatives command either hypothetically or categorically” (Kant,