The Dilemma of Business Ethics

February 10th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Previously, we introduced a framework that you can use to shape ethical discussions in your classroom. Today, we will talk about why these discussions are crucial for your students before they get into the corporate world.

Capsim Ethics Plug-in Process

February 2nd, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

The following is a suggested template to guide your class discussion about the ethical issue or dilemma that will engage your students during the business simulation experience. Of course, you may provide your students with an alternative model to help shape your discussion in a different way.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Virtue Approach

January 24th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We've already covered the Utilitarian, Rights, Fairness, and Common Good Approaches. Last but not least, the Virtue Approach.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Common Good Approach

January 16th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

The fourth of the five theories is the Common Good Approach. When debriefing an ethical dilemma, the Common Good Approach can be useful when the issue involves, or should involve, the overall picture or environment.

The Common Good Approach regards all individuals as part of a larger community.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Fairness Approach

January 10th, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We are in the middle of reviewing popular western ethical theories you can use to debrief a case or ethical dilemma in your class.

The Fairness Approach focuses on the fair and equitable distribution of good and harm, and/or the social benefits and social costs, across the spectrum of society.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Rights Approach

January 3rd, 2012 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last time, we talked about the Utilitarian Approach to ethical decision-making. More generally, we are reviewing five theories that provide the ethical building blocks you can use in your classroom to debrief any ethical dilemma. Of course, every dilemma can be dissected using more than one approach, and thus, the end result or decision may be different depending on the road taken.

Five Ways to Shape Ethical Decisions: Utilitarian Approach

December 19th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last time, we talked about the significance of shaping an ethical character and mindset. This allowed us to segue into the various ethical approaches or theories that provide the ethical building blocks you can use in your classroom to debrief any ethical dilemma. Of course, every dilemma can be dissected using more than one approach, and thus, the end result or decision may be different depending on the road taken. Our first approach: Utilitarian.

Sustaining an Ethical Frame of Mind

December 12th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

As we saw in last week's BP example, many questions can be raised after the fact, after a corporate and environmental disaster occurs. A series of small, even unrelated, decisions can culminate in "the perfect storm" of cumulative effect.

Why Should Educators Care About Teaching Business Ethics?

December 5th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

In the last few weeks, we've discussed some misconceptions of what ethics is based on Claire André and Manuel Velasquez's article, "What is Ethics?" Now, let's mull over the significance of ethics in your classroom. We will have a similar post in the following weeks that deals, essentially, with the question: why should we care that our students care?

What Ethics Is Not (Part Two)

November 28th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

We have already reviewed what ethics is, and last week we began discussing what ethics is not. Today, we will wrap up our discussion of what ethics is not.

What Ethics Is Not (Part One)

November 21st, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Last week, Capsim talked about what ethics is. Today, we will discuss what Ethics is not.

There is a natural tendency to overlay our wants, needs and beliefs on an ethical issue, only to obfuscate the facts and undermine an ethical line of reasoning. Claire André and Manuel Velasquez review these misconceptions in their article, "What is Ethics?" which contributes to the summary here.

Introducing Ethics to Your Students: What Ethics Is

November 14th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

It is always easier in hindsight to see how we might have done things differently. So, how can ethical reasoning help us identify what our options might be before we act and evaluate which of those options might be the most appropriate course of action?

Teaching Ethics in an Ethically Challenged World

November 7th, 2011 - Posted by Kirsten Hansen

Welcome to the Ethics Connection! This series is dedicated to educators like yourself who teach business ethics in the classroom. It will lay out the ins and outs of business ethics every Friday for the next several months. We welcome your own thoughts and opinions as we attempt to create a discussion in business ethics for the academic community.