Exam 2: Deciding Whats Right: a Prescriptive Approach

A ________ focuses on doing what is "right" (based on moral principles or values such as honesty), whereas a _________ focuses on doing what will maximize societal welfare.

The ___________ states that an ethical decision should maximize benefits to society and minimize harms.

A major challenge of _____ approaches is deciding which duty, obligation, right, or principle takes precedence because, as we said earlier, ethical dilemmas often pit these against each other.

Utilitarianism is the best known example of a consequential theory.

A virtue ethics perspective considers the actor's character, motivations, and intentions.

Generally, ethical dilemmas are not routine. Therefore, there is no way that an individual can be prepared or informed for a problem ahead of time.

The prescriptive approach is to ____________ as the descriptive approach is to _____________.

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (each can be used more than once) -Focuses on the results or consequences of the decision or action.

You are working with an important vendor who has offered you a "sweet" deal. However, the vendor has made it clear that he wants a decision now and your internal warning system (i.e. your gut) is telling you that this deal might be an ethical dilemma. Using what you have learned from this chapter, briefly describe how you should proceed. Will you answer him now? How will you think about the "dilemma" and respond to the vendor?

The _____ approach focuses more on the integrity of the moral actor (the person) than on the moral act itself (the decision or behavior).

The consequentialist approach protects the rights of the minority.

Ethical dilemmas represent conflicts in values.

Reference: Matching Key Terms and Descriptions (each can be used more than once) -For example, followers of this approach would rely on Western biblical tradition or moral intuition for guidance.

Business managers generally rely on the consequentialist approach.

Despite the disclosure rule, making decisions in private to avoid negative reaction is generally best for a business as it safeguards your firm's reputation and keeps competitive information away from your competitors.

Reference: Matching Approach and Weakness (each can be used more than once) -This approach that stresses community standards is limited in business because in many areas of business there is limited agreement about what the standards are.

A major challenge of deontological approaches is deciding which duty, obligation, right, or principle takes precedence because ethical dilemma often pit these against each other.

The __________ challenges one to ask, "how would you feel if your behavior appeared in The Wall Street Journal?"

A challenge involved in using a strictly consequentialist approach is that it is often difficult to obtain the information required to evaluate all of the consequences for all stakeholders who may be directly or indirectly affected by an action or decision.

Which of these is the final step in the sound ethical decision making in business?