Define and give examples of the three ethical decision-making approaches.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The utilitarian approach focuses on taking action that results in the greater good
for the majority of people. For example, an organization that is struggling financially may
choose to outsource some of its operations more cheaply overseas in order stay in
business and retain its U.S. workforce. The rights approach fosters decisions made on
moral principles that infringe as little as possible on the entitlements of others. For
example, a business owner might believe it is morally wrong to pay overseas workers
low wages and decide to close down his U.S.-based company rather than betray his
principles. The justice approach advocates basing decisions on fairness. For example, a
struggling organization might accept a takeover from a rival company rather than
declare bankruptcy and leave its employees jobless.