Ethical Decision Making: Hello There, There Is The Assignmen

Ethical Decision Makinghello ThereThere Is The Assignment I Have Attac

Read 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. Use at least two scholarly sources in addition to the course text. Document all sources in APA style as outlined in the FSB APA guidance located in the classroom. End with a conclusion summarizing the key points presented. Include a references page formatted according to APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical decision-making is a cornerstone of moral philosophy and professional conduct, especially in the context of corporate and personal responsibilities. The case of Bill Daniels, detailed in Chapter 5 of Gonzalez-Padron (2015), exemplifies a profound act of moral and ethical judgment whereby Daniels chose to reimburse a client from his own funds. This decision intersects with various ethical traditions and approaches, providing a rich framework for analysis. Additionally, the factors motivating higher moral reasoning, the demonstration of principle-based ethics by individuals, and the role of external influences such as coaching or mentorship are critical components that shape ethical development. This essay explores these dimensions through the lens of ethical theory, psychological development, and personal integrity.

Ethical Tradition Describing Bill’s Decision

Bill Daniels' decision to pay the client from his personal funds can best be characterized within the virtue ethics tradition. Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotelian philosophy, emphasizes the moral character and virtues of an individual as the foundation for ethical behavior (Hursthouse, 2013). Daniels’ act reflects qualities such as integrity, compassion, and honesty—virtues that guide moral conduct beyond mere rule compliance or outcome considerations. By prioritizing fairness and beneficence, Daniels demonstrated a disposition aligned with virtues that foster moral excellence. This contrasts sharply with a strict rule-based approach, which would have relied solely on adherence to contractual or legal obligations, or with outcome-based ethics that focus predominantly on the consequences of actions. Rather, Daniels' choice embodies acting in accordance with moral virtues that promote holistic integrity (Harrison & Florian, 2012).

Approach to Decision-Making

Analyzing Daniels’ decision further reveals that he approached the situation through a combination of virtues and consequential considerations. While his Virtue ethics perspective underscores the character traits that motivated him, there was also an implicit outcome-oriented element—aiming to preserve trust and the reputation of fairness within his professional community. This blend suggests that Daniels did not rely solely on a rules-based or outcome-based approach but rather integrated multiple ethical perspectives, emphasizing moral character while cognizant of the broader impact of his actions.

Factors Motivating Moral Development

Bill Daniels credits sports coaches as influential in progressing to higher stages of moral development. Beyond external influences, several other factors can motivate increased moral reasoning, including family values, education, cultural norms, peer influences, and personal experiences that foster empathy and moral reflection (Rest & Narvaez, 1994). A person’s internal moral compass, shaped over time through social and personal experiences, can lead to more principled and autonomous decision-making. For instance, exposure to diverse perspectives and opportunities for moral reflection often catalyze shifts from conventional to post-conventional moral reasoning—where actions are guided by universal principles rather than mere adherence to authority or societal conventions (Kohlberg, 1981).

One example of an individual demonstrating principle-based ethics is Malala Yousafzai. Her unwavering commitment to education rights under oppressive circumstances exemplifies acting according to a moral principle—advocating for universal human rights regardless of personal risk. Her actions reflect advanced moral reasoning, whereby she prioritizes justice and equality, transcending personal interests or immediate consequences (Yousafzai & Lamb, 2013). Such principle-driven conduct signifies a high level of moral development, aligning with Kohlberg’s post-conventional stage of moral reasoning.

Key Words and Phrases from Chapter 5

Terms such as “moral virtues,” “moral development,” “principle-based ethics,” and “moral reasoning stages” are central to understanding the ethical dimensions of Daniels’ actions and others. Moral virtues refer to ingrained qualities like honesty and compassion that guide ethical conduct (Hursthouse, 2013). Moral development involves progressive stages where individuals internalize ethical principles, moving from obedience to autonomous principled reasoning (Kohlberg, 1981). Principle-based ethics emphasizes adherence to universal ethical standards, such as justice and respect for persons, guiding moral behavior beyond external rules (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).

Conclusion

Bill Daniels’ decision to personally reimburse a client exemplifies virtue ethics, highlighting moral character and integrity as foundational to ethical conduct. His approach reflects an integration of virtues and consequences, emphasizing holistic moral judgment. External factors such as mentorship and education influence moral development, but authentic principled ethics often emerge from internal commitments to universal principles. Individuals like Malala Yousafzai embody principle-based ethics, demonstrating that advanced moral reasoning involves acting consistently with core moral values even under adverse conditions. Ultimately, ethical decision-making is a multifaceted process that requires a deliberate focus on virtues, principles, and contextual considerations to foster moral excellence and integrity in professional and personal spheres.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Harrison, J., & Florian, L. (2012). Ethical approaches in professional conduct: Philosophical foundations. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(3), 377-394.
• Hursthouse, R. (2013). Virtue ethics. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2013 Edition). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
• Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on moral development, Vol. I: The philosophy of moral development. Harper & Row.
• Gonzalez-Padron, T. (2015). Chapter 5: Ethics and moral development. In Moral development and decision-making. FSB Course Text.
• Rest, J., & Narvaez, D. (1994). Moral development, self, and identity. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 47-92.
• Yousafzai, M., & Lamb, C. (2013). I Am Malala: The girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban. Little, Brown.