Craig E. Johnson, Organizational Ethics, Third Edition
Instructor Resource
Lecture Notes
Chapter 1
Ethical Perspectives
Organizational Ethics: A Practical Approach
Utilitarianism
“Do the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number”
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•Theorists: Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
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•Premise : make decisions based on their outcomes or consequences
(consequentialism)
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•The best decisions
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•–generate the most benefit relative to their disadvantages
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•–bene4t the largest number of people
Utilitarianism: Evaluation
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•Strengths
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•Promotes human welfare
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•Commonly used
Craig E. Johnson, Organizational Ethics, Third Edition
Instructor Resource
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•Appropriate for policy decisions and emergency situations
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•Weaknesses
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•Hard to de4ne and measure the “greatest good.”
