Ethics of Administration Chapter 1

Imposing your values? Values are more than personal preferences Values are more than personal preferences Human beings are moral agents Human beings are moral agents Duty to make choices in responsible way Duty to make choices in responsible way

Moral Claims Not value judgments that belong to a personal or group preference Not value judgments that belong to a personal or group preference

Ethical Reasoning Possible and important Possible and important Ethical decisions are not just a matter of preference Ethical decisions are not just a matter of preference Ethical decisions can be based on reasons that others can understand Ethical decisions can be based on reasons that others can understand Ethical decisions are often made under complex and ambiguous circumstances Ethical decisions are often made under complex and ambiguous circumstances

Moral Principles Moral reasoning has a moral point Moral reasoning has a moral point Moral dilemma – What is the right thing to do? Moral dilemma – What is the right thing to do? Right, ought, just, fair Right, ought, just, fair Duties or obligations Duties or obligations

Facts Relevant to deciding an ethical issue Relevant to deciding an ethical issue Not sufficient – can not tell what is right or fair by themselves Not sufficient – can not tell what is right or fair by themselves

Moral Conflict How do you decide between conflicting ethical principles How do you decide between conflicting ethical principles Identify the Principles Identify the Principles Fairness and Parents Rights Fairness and Parents Rights Hierarchy Hierarchy Why should the principle be considered? Why should the principle be considered? What purpose does it serve? What purpose does it serve?

Learn Moral Reasoning Identify concepts Identify concepts Use intuitive moral reactions about what is right or wrong Use intuitive moral reactions about what is right or wrong Describe principles that underlie your feelings Describe principles that underlie your feelings Test “gut” feelings by supporting with moral principles Test “gut” feelings by supporting with moral principles

Ethics of Administration Chapter 2

Consequential Principle of Maximum Benefit Principle of Maximum Benefit Judges what is right or wrong by known consequences Judges what is right or wrong by known consequences Whatever gains the greatest good for the most number of people Whatever gains the greatest good for the most number of people Ex. utilitarianism Ex. utilitarianism

Non-consequential Principle of equal respect Principle of equal respect People are moral agents that have equal worth People are moral agents that have equal worth Follow the Golden Rule Follow the Golden Rule Respect individual freedom of choice even if we don’t agree Respect individual freedom of choice even if we don’t agree

Need both Frameworks Consequential Problems Consequential Problems Requires information you don’t always know Requires information you don’t always know Utilitarianism can produce morally abhorrent consequences Utilitarianism can produce morally abhorrent consequences Non-Consequential Problems Non-Consequential Problems How can one decide a moral law? How can one decide a moral law? How do we express the moral principal that underlies it? How do we express the moral principal that underlies it?

John Stuart Mill The Marketplace of Ideas Ideas are tested to discover truth. Ideas are tested to discover truth. Truth is best sought by process of criticism and debate. Debate helps us remember why we hold ideas. Truth is best sought by process of criticism and debate. Debate helps us remember why we hold ideas.

CON NONCON Informing the public is a service Informing the public is a service How can voters make a decision without information How can voters make a decision without information Contributes to welfare of society Contributes to welfare of society Contributes to personal happiness Contributes to personal happiness Promotes personal growth through debate Individuals have the responsibiblity to make decisions for themselves Duty to make wise choices Right to evaluate and choose

Intellectual Liberty Is the teacher free to express her opinions in the newspaper or does the state of negotiations of the district have precedence? Is the teacher free to express her opinions in the newspaper or does the state of negotiations of the district have precedence?

Freedom of Expression Inquiry to discover the truth Inquiry to discover the truth Ideas are tested in debate to refine ideas Ideas are tested in debate to refine ideas Debate promotes personal growth Debate promotes personal growth

Questions Does free press include the right to be wrong? Does free press include the right to be wrong? Rights are general, not absolute. Conflict can occur between rights and interests of different parties. Rights are general, not absolute. Conflict can occur between rights and interests of different parties. How is balance found? How is balance found? (Both Con and Noncon theories are needed, neither is sufficient to make a decision alone.)

Realization of Free Moral Agency Free moral agents of equal worth Free moral agents of equal worth Have the ability to make moral decisions Have the ability to make moral decisions Have responsibility to make decisions Have responsibility to make decisions Duty to make choices wisely Duty to make choices wisely

Resolve the Conflict Presuppose the principle of equal respect of persons. Presuppose the principle of equal respect of persons. Why? People are of equal intrinsic worth. Why? People are of equal intrinsic worth. Con – Be concerned with the benefit of people so that they will be as well off as possible. Everyone’s happiness is of equal value. Noncon –Value the welfare of others equally to my own. Respect people even if it results in less happiness.