After Reading About Bill Daniels And The Story About The Ins

After Reading About Bill Daniels And The Story About The Insurance Com

After reading about Bill Daniels and the story about the insurance company in Chapter 5 of Gonzalez-Padron (2015), answer the following questions in essay form: Which ethical tradition best describes Bill’s decision to pay the client from his own funds? Did he approach the decision using a rules-based, virtue or relationship-based, or outcome-based approach, or a combination of approaches? Bill credits sports coaches for progression to higher stages of moral development. What other factors could motivate someone to develop higher levels of moral reasoning? Can you think of a person who demonstrates principle-based ethics? How do this person’s actions reflect a highly developed moral reasoning? Incorporate key words and phrases from Chapter 5 of the text and at least two additional sources into your responses. Use your own words to define the key words and phrases you incorporate. Be sure to cite all sources in the body of your paper and on the references page. The paper Must be three double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the FSB APA guidance located in the classroom. Must include a separate title page with the following: Title of paper, Student’s name, Course name and number, Instructor’s name, Date submitted. Must use at least two scholarly sources in addition to the course text. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the FSB APA guidance located in the classroom. Must end with a conclusion that clearly summarizes what was presented in the paper. Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the FSB APA guidance.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical decisions we make in business profoundly reflect our moral development and ethical philosophy. The case of Bill Daniels, as discussed in Chapter 5 of Gonzalez-Padron (2015), exemplifies a situation where personal integrity and moral reasoning intersect. Specifically, Bill's decision to personally cover a client's claim highlights his underlying ethical principles, which can be analyzed through various ethical traditions and moral development theories.

According to Gonzalez-Padron (2015), the action of paying a client from one’s own funds most closely aligns with the virtue ethics tradition. Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and virtues such as honesty, integrity, and compassion. Bill’s willingness to act beyond contractual obligations demonstrates a virtuous character trait. By prioritizing fairness and compassion over strict adherence to rules or profit motives, he exemplifies the qualities of an ethical leader guided by virtue rather than merely following rules (Saunders et al., 2019). This approach reflects a focus on moral excellence and practical wisdom (phronesis), nurturing trust and respect with clients.

In terms of decision-making approaches, Bill’s decision appears to be a blend of outcome-based and virtue-based considerations. The outcome—ensuring the client receives the expected compensation—aligns with consequentialist ethics, which evaluates actions based on their results (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). However, his motivation also stems from a virtuous disposition characterized by compassion and integrity. Therefore, this combination suggests that Bill’s moral reasoning incorporated both outcome-oriented and character-oriented perspectives, emphasizing the importance of moral virtues in guiding ethical choices (Gonzalez-Padron, 2015).

Bill attributes his moral development, in part, to his experience with sports coaches who emphasized discipline, responsibility, and perseverance. These factors, along with personal reflection, community influences, and professional experiences, can motivate individuals to attain higher moral stages. Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral development (Kohlberg, 1981) describe moral progression from self-interest to principled reasoning, where an individual acts based on universal ethical principles. External motivators such as role models, societal expectations, and internalized values also play essential roles in fostering higher moral reasoning (Rest & Narvaez, 1994).

A notable example of principle-based ethics is Mahatma Gandhi, whose actions reflect a highly developed moral reasoning rooted in respect for human dignity and nonviolence. Gandhi's unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and his adherence to truth (satyagraha) demonstrate deontological principles—moral duties and universal laws that guide behavior regardless of outcomes (Kant, 1785). His principled stance was evident in his consistency and willingness to suffer personal hardship for moral convictions, indicating his actions were driven by intrinsically held ethical principles rather than external rewards.

Gandhi's moral reasoning exemplifies advanced moral development because he prioritized moral principles and duties aligned with Kantian ethics, which emphasize acting according to maxims that can be universalized (Kant, 1785). His actions mirror the highest stages of moral reasoning—acting out of principle and a commitment to justice—characteristic of individuals operating at Kohlberg's post-conventional level (Rest, 1986). Such principled action fosters a moral identity rooted in consistent ethical convictions, influencing societal change and inspiring others.

In conclusion, Bill Daniels' decision to personally finance a client's claim aligns with virtue ethics, emphasizing moral character and integrity. His approach to decision-making blends ethics of consequence and character, reflecting the complexity of real-world moral reasoning. Beyond sports coaches, factors like community influence, societal norms, education, and personal reflection motivate higher moral development. Exemplars like Gandhi demonstrate principle-based ethics through actions grounded in universal moral principles, showcasing the depth of moral reasoning that guides transformative leadership and ethical conduct. Overall, understanding these ethical frameworks and developmental factors enhances our grasp of moral behavior in professional contexts and highlights the importance of cultivating virtues and principles in ethical decision-making.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett Publishing.
• Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on Moral Development. Harper & Row.
• Gonzalez-Padron, T. (2015). Mastering Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.
• Rest, J. R. (1986). Moral Development: Advances in Research and Theory. Praeger.
• Rest, J. R., & Narvaez, D. (1994). Moral Development, Self, and Identity. Praeger.
• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson.
• Schwartz, M. S. (2017). Ethical Decision Making in Business. Routledge.
• Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2017). Managing Business Ethics. Wiley.
• Kidder, R. M. (2005). How Good People Make Tough Choices. HarperOne.