Assignment

Ethics: A Personal Perspective

How we perceive ethical issues and how we expect others to act is in many respects a reflection of our personal views. Considering the importance of our internal views of ethics, discuss what things come to mind when you think of the word "ethics"? Do you think your views on ethics have evolved based on your life experiences or do you believe as suggested in the 60 Minutes piece for the week, "Born good? Babies help unlock the origins of Morality", that your ethics DNA was established at birth. Why?

Drawing on your ethical compass as discussed above and using the video, "Introduction to Ethics", from your assigned readings and viewings as a framework, how would you resolve the following ethical situation:

You are on a boat and nearby are two large rocks filled with persons waiting to be rescued; there are six people on one rock and five on the other. Assume that you cannot rescue both groups and that you are the only one able to rescue either group. Which group do you rescue?
In your response be certain to identify what you believe is the ethical choice or dilemma that is presented, and discuss your reasons and possible alternative solutions to the one that you propose. Is what you would actually do different from what you should do? If so, why?

Business Ethics: A Look into the Future

In one of your videos for the week, Ethics and Compliance: 14 Trends - Ethics of Tomorrow, the presenter examines a number of ethical issues relevant to the 21st century and offers some recommendations for dealing with them. What do you think of the presenter's observations as they relate to the role of business ethics in the 21st century? What are some of the ethical challenges for businesses in the 21st century arising out of the advancements in information technology and increased emphasis on globalization, and how are these challenges likely to impact the approaches businesses take in confronting them?