ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 establishes a foundation for our conversation on ethics by examining definitions and traditional theories. The prescriptive and descriptive philosophical approaches lend themselves to a discussion of knowing what is ethical vs. behaving in an ethical manner. Utilitarian and consequentialist theories are defined and further explored through the Trolley Problem, a classic thought problem. As part of our definition of ethical behavior, this chapter further differentiates legal vs. ethical situations; blind obedience where we act unethically but without benefit to ourselves; and true moral dilemmas (right vs. right) vs. moral temptations (right vs. wrong). We also consider if our definition of ethical conduct should focus more on proactive behavior rather than simply resistance to temptation, introducing the concepts of moral courage and a moral response continuum. Readers investigate the origins and universality of our values and further explore these by responding to the Heinz Dilemma. Throughout the chapter, readers apply what they have learned through sets of contrasting case studies.
