Understanding Ethical Perspectives

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that when asked, most people will say that they know the difference between right and wrong. However, the writer maintains that if these people are presented with a hypothetical ethical dilemma, one may find varying, sometimes contradicting, responses to the problem. The writer points out that this is due to perspective. The writer then relates that the Williams Institute has categorized four types of ethical awareness based on one's perspective. The perspectives are obligation, results, character, and equity. The writer discusses that comprehending these different perspectives leads to a deeper understanding of what it means to act in an ethical manner and why people make the decisions they do. The paper includes the writer's personal opinions regarding assessment according to ethical perspectives.

From the Paper:

"As mentioned before, The Williams Institute characterizes me as having the ethical perspective of obligation. At this relates to my workplace there are several issues which may arise. According to The Williams Institutes definition of the obligation perspective, this type of person looks at the moral value of the action rather than the result. Keeping "this in mind, a person with this perspective may not always make decisions in the best interest of the organization and its stakeholders. If there is some ethically gray area anywhere in the process, no matter how small, the entire process is unethical."
"The second issue that may arise due to the obligation perspective of ethics has to do with the opinion that not everyone has the ability to act in their own best interest."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Williams Institute. (2003). Ethics Awareness Inventory. The Williams Institute [Computer Software]

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