Essential Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Concepts
Classified in Philosophy and ethics
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Fundamental Ethical Theories and Concepts
| Concept | Definition | Test-Relevant Point |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics | Reflection on right and wrong. | Ethics = reflection; morality = norms. |
| Global Ethics | Ethics for an interdependent world. | Goal: shared values (dignity, justice, sustainability). |
| Utilitarianism | Morality judged by consequences → greatest good. | Risk: violates individual rights. |
| Deontology | Duties and universal rules; respect for dignity. | Basis of human rights. |
| Applied Ethics | Adapts principles to specific fields. | Ex: business, environmental ethics. |
| Universalism | Values valid everywhere. | Supported by UDHR. |
| Cultural Relativism | Morality depends on culture. | Limit: cannot justify rights violations. |
Key Test Insights
- Utilitarianism focuses on consequences, while deontology focuses on duties.
- Global ethics seeks minimum shared values.
- Universalism vs. relativism: human rights override harmful customs.
Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
| Concept | Definition | Test-Relevant Point |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ethics | Applying moral principles to business. | Rejects bribery and child labor. |
| Stakeholders | Anyone affected by company decisions. | Not only shareholders. |
| CSR | Integrating social and environmental responsibility. | Goes beyond the law. |
| ESG | Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics. | Used to evaluate ethical performance. |
| UN Global Compact | 10 principles: human rights, labor, environment, anti-corruption. | Voluntary initiative. |
| Social License to Operate | Community approval to continue operations. | Can be lost even if legal. |
Typical Exam Questions
- CSR goes beyond compliance → True.
- ESG = indicator of sustainability.
- Stakeholders ≠ just investors.
Corporate Governance and Transparency
| Concept | Meaning | Test Point |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Decisions and information are visible and understandable. | Required for accountability. |
| Accountability | Duty to explain, justify, and take responsibility. | Impossible without transparency. |
| Reputation | Public perception of integrity over time. | Hard to recover after scandals. |
| Corporate Governance | Structures that control managerial power. | Ensures integrity and prevents abuse. |
Key International Instruments
- UN Convention Against Corruption (2005)
- OECD Anti-Bribery Convention (1997)
- ISO 26000: Transparency and accountability as core principles.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethical Leadership
| Topic | Key Idea | Test Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity | Presence of varied identities. | Not the same as inclusion. |
| Inclusion | Ensuring full participation for all. | Eliminates hidden biases. |
| Equity | Fair adjustments to achieve equality. | Different from formal equality. |
| Ethical Leadership | Leading by example: integrity, fairness, transparency. | Leaders shape ethical culture. |
| Culture vs. Human Rights | Cultural norms cannot override dignity or rights. | Supported by UNESCO and UDHR. |
Likely Test Questions
- Gift-giving ≠ bribery always; it depends on context.
- Human rights prevail when cultural norms conflict.
Media Ethics and Communication Strategies
| Concept | Key Point | Test Question |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO Journalism Ethics (1983) | Truthfulness, context, and avoiding sensationalism. | Not legally binding. |
| Persuasion | Respects autonomy; honest intention. | Ethical. |
| Manipulation | Deception and emotional exploitation. | Unethical. |
| Agenda-setting | Media decide which issues are salient. | Affects public priorities. |
| Framing | How information is presented shapes interpretation. | Important distinction. |
| Spiral of Silence | Minorities stay silent due to fear of isolation. | Threat to pluralism. |
| Greenwashing / Social Washing | Fake claims of being green or socially responsible. | Unethical marketing. |
Common Exam Items
- Persuasion vs. manipulation: autonomy vs. deception.
- Agenda-setting = issue selection, not framing.
Ethics in Global Supply Chains
| Concept | Key Point | Test Question |
|---|---|---|
| Global Supply Chain | Production split across multiple countries. | Responsibility becomes fragmented. |
| Social Connection Responsibility | All actors share responsibility for systemic injustice. | Not based on direct causality (I.M. Young). |
| Major Risks | Child labor, forced labor, unsafe workplaces. | Seen in Congo, cacao, and fishing fleets. |
| Conflict Minerals | 3TG = Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum, Gold. | Linked to armed groups. |
| Audit Failures | Fake docs, intimidation, preannounced visits. | Rana Plaza = audits were insufficient. |
| Effective Measures | Due diligence and binding agreements. | Bangladesh Accord improved safety. |
Likely Exam Questions
- Rana Plaza: failure of traditional audits.
- 3TG minerals = conflict minerals.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics
| Concept | Key Idea | Test Focus |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO AI Principles (2021) | Transparency, accountability, justice, human oversight. | Global framework. |
| Main AI Risks | Bias, opacity, and discrimination. | Algorithms inherit data bias. |
| Ethics-by-Design | Ethics integrated from the beginning. | Prevents future harm. |
| Digital Divide | Unequal access to digital tools. | Leads to social exclusion. |
| Digital Colonialism | Developing countries dependent on foreign tech. | Threat to sovereignty. |
| State Surveillance | Risk of authoritarian control. | EU (rights), US (innovation), China (control). |
| Lethal Autonomous Weapons | Machines selecting/attacking targets. | Argued to violate dignity. |
Expected Questions
- The EU has the most regulatory approach.
- The principle requiring explainability is explicability.
Moral Psychology and International Relations
| Concept | Meaning | Test Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Rest’s Four-Component Model | Sensitivity → judgment → motivation → character. | Failure in any step = ethical failure. |
| Moral Intensity | How serious, probable, or close a moral issue feels. | High intensity → more ethical attention. |
| Haidt’s Social Intuitionism | Emotion first, reasoning second. | Intuitive ethics. |
| Dual-Process Theory | System 1 (fast) vs. System 2 (slow). | Risks of impulsive decisions. |
| Realism | Foreign policy = national interest first. | Ethics are secondary. |
| Cosmopolitanism | Universal moral duties beyond borders. | Basis of human rights. |
| Typical Dilemmas | Humanitarian intervention, sanctions, force. | Sovereignty vs. civilian protection. |
Case-Based Test Clues
- Cuban Missile Crisis: prudence and proportionality.
- Rwanda: moral failure through inaction.
- Dieselgate: cultural and organizational failure.