Universal
Approches
of Ethical Models
The Paradox of Kindness
“If the truth is cruel, then surely
lying must be a form of kindness.
Therefore, kindness is a lie.”
Understanding Ethical Models
Ethical models are systematic approaches to evaluating the morality of actions and
guiding ethical decision-making. These models provide structured frameworks for
individuals and organizations to navigate complex moral dilemmas.
Agenda Ethical Frameworks
Moral Significance
Key Traits
Real World Examples
01
Utilitarianism
Maximizing Overall Happiness
Utilitarian approach
This approach aims to achieve the greatest positive impact by
ensuring that messages are informative, relevant, and ethical,
contributing to the overall success and satisfaction of stakeholders.
Elements
● Principle of Utility
● Consequentialism
● Greatest Happiness Principle
● Hedonism
Characteristics:
● Focus on outcomes
● Cost benefit analysis
● Stakeholder consideration
Importance:
● Ethical decision making
● Long term success
● Risk mitigation
Example
Imagine a manufacturing company that produces consumer electronics. The
company is about to launch a new product line that includes electronic devices
known for their energy efficiency and sustainability features. The marketing
team is preparing the communication strategy for the product launch.
● Identify Stakeholders
● Evaluate Communication options
● Evaluate Potential Consequences
Presentation title
9
20XX
Elements of the Utilitarian Approach
Consequential Welfarism Impartiality Aggregations
Considers the interests Utilitarianism sums up the
Focuses on the Aims to maximize overall of all affected parties overall happiness of an
consequences of actions well-being or happiness equally action.
Exploring Utilitarianism : Seeking the Greatest Good
Ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their capacity to
maximize overall happiness and minimize overall suffering
It prioritizes outcomes, aiming for the greater good for the greatest
number of people
The Vital Role of Utilitarianism : Shaping Ethical Choices
1. Aiding individuals and policymakers via Practical Decision Making
2. Emphasis on Social Welfare : Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas
3. Great Conflict Resolution Tool
Key Elements
Consequential Welfarism
Focusing on consequences of actions Prioritizes the well-being and
to determine their ethical value happiness of individuals
Impartiality Aggregationalism
Everyone’s well being and happiness Beliefs that says the value of an
matters equally, no matter who they outcome is given by the sum value of
are, where they’re from the lives it contains
Real World Examples
Public Health Vaccination:
- Governments use utilitarian principles to maximize
public health through mass vaccination, prioritizing
overall well-being over individual preferences
Environmental Conservation and Renewable Energy:
- Environmental policies favoring renewable energy, like
wind and solar power, follow utilitarianism. They cut
emissions, combat climate change, and benefit global
populations, focusing on the collective well-being of
present and future generations
Emergency Response in Crises:
- Utilitarianism guides emergency responses, focusing on
saving lives and reducing suffering through resource
allocation for maximum impact
Limitations of Utilitarian Approach
Critics of act utilitarianism raise three strong objections against it.
According to these critics, act utilitarianism
1. It approves of actions that are clearly wrong
2. It undermines trust among people
3. It is too demanding because it requires people to make
excessive levels of sacrifice
02
Rights Approach
Respect for Individual Rights
Right Approach
The "rights approach" refers to a moral and ethical framework that places a strong
emphasis on the inherent rights and freedoms of individuals. This approach forms
the foundation of many human rights theories and has been influential in the fields
of philosophy, ethics, law, and politics.
Elements
● Identify the problem
● Gather information
● Identify stakeholders
● Explore options
Characteristics:
• Identify the problem
• Gather Information
• Identify stakeholders
Importance:
● Consistency
● Clarity
● Mitigation of Risk
● Accountability
Example:
Imagine a company is facing financial challenges that require a reduction in
workforce, including employee layoffs. The company's management needs to
communicate this difficult decision to the affected employees in a
compassionate and transparent manner.
● Plan Ahead
● Be honest and transparent
● Choose a compassionate tone
Rights Centered Ethics : Beyond Consequences
Prominent ethical framework which centers on the idea that individuals possess
inherent rights that should be respected and protected.
It emphasizes the moral duty to uphold these rights, regardless of the
consequences, and forms the foundation of deontological ethics
Celebrating Inherent Rights : Why the Rights Approach Matters
1. Centers on individual worth and human dignity, emphasizing respect for inherent
rights and universal dignity
2. Aims to safeguard individual freedoms such as the right to life, liberty and
security.
3. Establishes ethical boundaries to ensure that certain actions are considered
wrong, regardless of their benefits and harms
4. It promotes justice and equality by demanding equal protection of rights for all,
fostering a more just and fair society
Key Elements
Inherent Rights Moral Duty
RIghts that remain unaffected by Instilling a moral duty to ensure
external factors, belonging to respect, protection and an obligation
individuals inherently to uphold these rights
Autonomy and Dignity Universal Application
Respecting people's ability to make Rights are considered universal,
independent choices and upholding applying to all individuals regardless
their inherent worth and value in all of factors such as culture, race, or
ethical considerations gender
Real World Examples
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
- The UDHR, adopted by the United Nations, enshrines
fundamental human rights such as the right to life,
liberty, and security, serving as a global commitment to
the Rights Approach
Civil Rights Movement:
● The Civil Rights Movement in the United States sought to
secure equal rights for African Americans, emphasizing
the importance of respecting individuals' rights to
equality and non-discrimination
Privacy Rights and Data Protection:
● Legislation and regulations on privacy rights and data protection, like
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), emphasize the
importance of safeguarding individuals' rights to privacy and data
security in an increasingly digital world
Limitation of Rights Approach
1.The idea of rights has become so pervasive in the present age that some writers have termed it the
age of rights.
2. Almost every human act and quest ranging from education to environment and sex to spiritualism
is talked about, translated, measured and understood in the terminology of rights.
3.People claim not only a right to life but to die also.
4.Not only a right to development, but to do wrong also.
5.Not only a right to food but even a right to pornography.
6.The discourse in moral and political philosophy has been shifting from basing rights in morality to
rights-based moralities.
7.This approach is problematic because it undermines a range of other morally significant human
relationships and attitudes such as community, solidarity, care, compassion and benevolence
8.Rights-based approach is promoting or nurturing selfishness or self-righteousness.
03
Fairness and Justice
Equity and Impartiality
Fairness and justice approach
The fairness and justice approach revolves around ensuring that decisions and
actions are equitable, impartial, and just. This approach is often used in ethical
considerations, social matters, legal systems, and various aspects of life where
treating individuals fairly and upholding principles of justice are paramount
Elements:
● Equality
● Impartiality
● Due process
● Proportional justice
Characteristics:
● Equity
● Impartiality
● Consistency
Importance:
● Clarity and understanding
● Building trust
● Conflict resolution
Example:
Imagine a company that wants to ensure fair pay for all its employees,
regardless of gender or other demographic factors. The company recognizes
the importance of the fairness and justice approach and aims to address
potential wage gaps based on gender.
Data Collection and Analysis:
● Transparent Communication
● Identifying Disparities
● Adjustment Plan
Everyday Ethics : Fairness and Justice in Action
Ethical framework that prioritizes the principles of fairness, equity, and impartiality
in moral decision-making. It seeks to ensure that ethical choices uphold just
treatment for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances
Fairness and Justice : Key to a Just Society
1. Underscoring the importance of treating all individuals equitably and equally, promoting
social fairness and justice
2. Guiding ethical decisions by advocating for impartial judgment, reducing biases and
discrimination
3. Holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions, emphasizing ethical
responsibility
4. Making meaningful contributions to societal cohesion, conflict resolution and disparities
by focusing on fairness and justice
Key Elements
Impartiality Distributive Justice
Emphasizing the fair allocation of
Ensuring fairness for all parties resources and benefits to ensure that
involved and eliminating favouritism individuals receive their due share in a just
manner
Equality before Law Ethical Responsibilities
Emphasizes that everyone should be
treated equally under the law, regardless of
Ensures that an individual and
social status institution’s moral obligation to
promote fairness and justice is fulfilled
Real World Examples
Equal Pay for Equal Work:
- Laws and policies that mandate equal pay for equal
work regardless of gender exemplify the Fairness and
Justice Approach by promoting workplace fairness and
gender equality
Restorative Justice Programs:
- Restorative justice programs, which focus on repairing
harm and reconciling victims and offenders, are rooted
in the principles of fairness and justice, aiming to achieve
equitable outcomes for all parties involved
Affirmative Action Policies:
- Affirmative action policies in education and employment seek to
rectify historical injustices and promote equal opportunities for
underrepresented groups, aligning with the goal of achieving
greater social fairness and justice
Limitations of Fairness and Justice Approach
Limitations when using this principle involve the question of
1.Who decides who is right and wrong and who has been harmed in
complex situations
2.This is especially the case when facts are not available and there is no
objective external jurisdiction of the state or federal government
04
Common Good Approach
Community Well Being
The common good approach
The common good approach is an ethical perspective that emphasizes the
importance of promoting the well-being and interests of the entire community or
society as a whole. It suggests that decisions and actions should be guided by
what benefits everyone collectively rather than focusing solely on individual
interests.
Elements:
● Shared Benefit
● Collaboration and Solidarity
● Social Justice
● Public Interest
Characteristics:
● Collective Benefit
● Collaboration and solidarity
● Social justice
Importance:
● Ethical Foundation
● Long-term sustainability
● Customer Loyalty
Example:
Imagine a government is considering a new education policy. Using the common
good approach, they would consider how the policy impacts the entire society,
ensuring that it promotes the well-being and development of all citizens.
● Collective Benefit
● Collaboration and Solidarity
● Balancing Individual and Common Interests
● Social Justice
Ethics for the Greater Good: Understanding the Common Good Approach
Ethical framework that places the well-being and welfare of the community or
society as a whole at the center of moral decision-making. It emphasizes the
importance of actions that contribute to the common good, seeking to enhance
the overall quality of life and promote the welfare of all individuals within a
community
Why the Common Good Approach Matters
1. It prioritizes the welfare of the community, ensuring that ethical decisions benefit all
members and contribute to collective prosperity
2. Fosters social cohesion and unity by encouraging cooperation, shared values, and a
sense of responsibility toward the greater good
3. Provides a clear ethical framework for evaluating actions, policies, and decisions in a way that
transcends individual interests and promotes the interests of society as a whole
4. Encourages decisions that promote the long-term sustainability and flourishing of
communities and societies
Key Elements
Collective Welfare Shared Values
Primary focus is the well being of the Emphasizes the importance of shared
entire community or society values, principles, and goals that
contribute to the common good
Cooperation Justice
Promoting cooperation and collaboration Principles of justice ensure equitable
among individuals and groups to achieve distribution of benefits and resources
common goals
Real World Examples
Education Policies:
- Policies that aim to improve the quality of education,
increase access to educational resources, and reduce
educational disparities align with the Common Good
Approach, as they seek to enhance the collective
knowledge and skills of the community
Environmental Conservation and Sustainability:
● Efforts to protect natural resources, combat climate change,
and preserve ecosystems reflect the Common Good
Approach by ensuring the long-term sustainability and
health of the planet for present and future generations
Social Welfare Programs:
● Government-funded social welfare programs, such as unemployment
benefits and food assistance, aim to alleviate poverty and provide for
the basic needs of individuals and families, aligning with the principles of
the Common Good Approach by enhancing the well-being of the
broader community
Limitation of Common Goods Approach
They challenge us to view ourselves as members of the same community and, while respecting
and valuing the freedom of individuals to pursue their own goals, to recognize and further those
goals we share in common.
The common good approach is a challenge to individuals to think and make choices with the
understanding that societal goals should align with personal goals
According to a common good conception of political morality, this lack of concern for the common
good is itself a moral defect in a political senario
05
Virtue Ethics
Moral Character Development
Virtual approach
By adopting a virtual approach in business communication,
the company effectively coordinates a product launch
despite the physical separation of team members. This
example demonstrates how leveraging digital tools and
virtual communication strategies can result in a cohesive
and successful project execution.
Elements:
● Video Conferencing
● Digital Platforms and Tools
● Virtual Meetings and webinars
● Visual Aids
Characteristics:
● Digital Medium
● Geographical Flexibility
● Diverse channels
● Synchronous and Asynchronous Options:
Importance:
● Continuous Learning
● Remote Collaboration
● Adaptability
● Transparency and Accountability
Example:
TechSolutions Inc. is a technology consulting firm with a team
of experts located in different parts of the world. They provide
innovative solutions to clients in various industries. To
effectively
collaborate and deliver high-quality services, they leverage the
virtual approach in their business communication.
● Virtual Meetings:
● Project Management Platform
● Instant Messaging
● Client Communication
Exploring Virtue Ethics : Cultivating Moral Excellence
Ethical framework that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits as the
key to ethical decision-making. It focuses on cultivating moral virtues, such as honesty,
courage, and compassion, to guide one's actions and lead a virtuous life
Ethical Consistency through Virtue : The Importance of Character
1. Places a strong emphasis on the development of virtuous character traits, fostering
personal growth and moral development
2. Provides a consistent approach to ethical decision-making based on the cultivation of
virtuous habits, ensuring that actions align with one's character
3. Allows for flexibility and context-specific ethical judgments, recognizing that ethical
behavior may vary depending on circumstances
4. Offers long-term moral guidance by encouraging individuals to aspire to a virtuous and
morally excellent life
Key Elements
Virtues Eudaimonia
Moral virtues, such as courage, honesty, Aiming to achieving eudaimonia, often
compassion, and integrity are cultivated to translated as "flourishing" or "human
guide ethical behavior flourishing," by living in accordance with
virtuous principles
Golden Mean Phronesis
Practical wisdom, or phronesis, is valued in
Finding a balance or "golden mean"
virtue ethics, allowing individuals to make
between extremes of behavior, avoiding
sound moral judgments in specific
excess or deficiency
situations
Real World Examples
Medical Ethics:
- In medical practice, healthcare professionals are
encouraged to cultivate virtues like empathy,
compassion, and integrity to provide ethical patient
care
Business Ethics:
- In the business world, virtue ethics can guide ethical
leadership, encouraging leaders to demonstrate
honesty, fairness, and responsibility in their decisions
and actions
Education and Character Development:
● Virtue ethics plays a role in education by promoting the
development of virtues in students, aiming to create morally
responsible individuals who contribute positively to society
Limitation of Virtue Approach
1.Virtue ethics theory is considered incomplete because it fails to
explain or account for the right action.
2.It does not offer people solutions to various specific moral dilemmas,
and it emphasizes too much on the moral agent.
3.Virtue ethics is selfish. This is because it concentrates more on
emotions and reasons.
Conclusión
UTILITARIANISM Greatest Overall Happiness
RIGHTS APPROACH Individual Rights
FAIRNESS & JUSTICE Equitable Treatment
THE COMMON GOOD Communal Well Being
VIRTUE ETHICS Cultivating Moral Values
THANK YOU!
SHREY PANWAR - 500121549
RISHABH RAWAT - 500125128
AYUSH SINGH - 500123661
HIMANSHU NEGI - 500123364
PRANJAL MISHRA - 500119291
