Towson University Ethics Essay
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Ethics (Individual) Writing Assignment Essay #1 Grading Guidance
Briefly describe in (3-5 pages) a situation where a manager of a firm faces and ethically resolves a conflict of interest dilemma. In your essay, include the following:
A description of the conflict of interest situation
A definition of utilitarianism
A recommendation of a solution to the dilemma
An argument that the solution is ethical according to utilitarianism reasoning
Rubric for evaluating the assignment
Outstanding
Acceptable
Unacceptable
The description includes a choice the manager faces between well-described alternatives
The description includes a choice the manager faces between alternatives
The description does not include a choice the manager faces between alternatives
The description includes a compelling reason for the conflict of interest, or why the manager could be biased in making the choice
The description includes a reason for the conflict of interest.
The description does not include a clear reason for the conflict of interest.
A quoted definition of utilitarianism is provided with reference to an authoritative source (see below). The definition includes a) a focus on the consequences of the choice and b) a balancing of the positive and negative consequences.
An accurate description of utilitarianism is provided.
A clear description of utilitarianism is not provided.
An ethical solution is described.
An ethical solution is described.
An ethical solution is not described.
A convincing argument is provided for the ethicalness of the solution that applies utilitarian cost/benefit balancing.
A clear argument is provided for the ethicalness of the solution.
No clear argument is provided for the ethicalness of the solution.
Overall: Outstanding = outstanding on each row, Unacceptable = unacceptable on 1 or more rows, Acceptable = all others.
Definition of utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is “the ethical philosophy claiming that behaviors are considered moral if they produce the greatest good, or utility, for the greatest number of people. When faced with a decision, people should use a cost-benefit analysis of all possible decisions and select the alternative that results in the greatest utility” (Gulati, Mayo, & Nohria, 2013, p. 542).
Further, “In business, managers should seek good outcomes for affected parties, be objective in identifying others’ interests and the likely consequences of their actions, and be impartial when balancing others’ interests with their own. “Good’ things are considered to be happiness, utility, and pleasure, while “bad’ things are considered to be pain and displeasure. Actions are right if they promote happiness or the absence of pain and wrong if they produce pain or displeasure” (Gulati, Mayo, & Nohria, 2013, p. 542).
The idea is that ethics refers to actions (not thoughts or ideas) and that utilitarianism involves a cost-benefit analysis of the consequences of those actions.
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