This Written Assignments Deal With Your Opinion Before Answe

This written assignments deals with your opinion before answering the Fo

This written assignments deals with youropinionbefore Answering The Fo

This written assignments deals with YOUR opinion. Before answering the following question - give serious thought to the question. Answer the following questions in 2 to 3 paragraphs per question. Type your response in a word document and upload it to Black Board using the assignment link above. Questions Explain in your own words...

1.How would you define ethical? 2.How would you define legal? 3.Provide an example of an action that is legal, but not ethical.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethics and legality are foundational concepts that govern individual and societal behavior, yet they often intersect in complex ways. To define ethical behavior, one must consider the principles that guide what is right and wrong beyond mere compliance with laws. Ethics relate to moral standards that individuals and organizations uphold based on values such as honesty, fairness, respect, and integrity. An ethical action is one that aligns with these moral principles, fostering trust and promoting the well-being of others. For example, an employee who reports a coworker's unethical behavior is acting ethically because they prioritize honesty and integrity over remaining silent, even if such disclosure might be uncomfortable or challenging.

On the other hand, the term legal pertains to actions that are in accordance with the laws enacted by governing authorities. Laws are formal rules and regulations designed to maintain order, protect rights, and establish penalties for violations. While legal compliance is essential, it does not necessarily guarantee ethical behavior. For instance, certain business practices may be legal—such as exploiting loopholes to reduce taxes or avoid regulations—but these practices may be considered unethical because they harm societal interests or undermine fairness. An example of an action that is legal but not ethical is a company engaging in aggressive tax avoidance strategies that, while legal under current laws, arguably violate principles of social responsibility and fairness by depriving public services of necessary funding.

References

  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2020). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Johnson, C. E. (2021). Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Kidder, R. M. (2005). Moral Courage: Taking Action When Your Values Are Threatened. HarperOne.
  • Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
  • Tenbrunsel, A. E., & Smith-Crowe, K. (2008). Ethical decision making: where we’ve been and where we’re going. Academy of Management Annals, 2(1), 545-607.
  • Swanson, R. A., & Fisher, B. (2019). Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy. Sage Publications.
  • Arnold, D. G., & Beauchamp, T. L. (2019). Ethical Theory and Business. Pearson.
  • Sadler, M., & Leiser, J. (2019). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Guide for Business. Routledge.
  • Valentinov, V. (2017). Ethical dilemmas in business: An overview. Journal of Business Ethics, 144(3), 413-423.

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