Business LawChapter 1 Day 1

Notes & Vocab

Difference between Right & Wrong is not always easy to determine

How do people distinguish Right & Wrong?◦ Rules that have been learned◦ Conscience◦ Feelings, Opinions & Beliefs◦ Laws

The Spirit of the Law

The values that govern a society’s attitude toward right and wrong

◦ A person who lives by certain social values is moral

◦ One who does not is immoral◦ One who doesn’t care is amoral

Where do your morals come from? Name some sources.

Morality

Attempts to develop the means for determining what moral values should be

◦ Moral Philosophy◦ Different for different cultures◦ Recommending & Defending◦ Politics ◦ Professional & Personal Conduct

Ethics

Nathan comes from a poor family, while Erin’s family is wealthy. Nathan believes Erin has more money than she needs. Erin leaves her purse at her seat in the cafeteria unattended and Nathan steals her cash out of her purse. Nathan defended himself by saying that he needs the money more than Erin right now and she can go get more money from her family whenever she needs it.

How do you feel about the situation? Consider morality, ethics and the law.

Example Case 1

How actions affect others in society Making an ethical decision because it would

benefit a greater number of people than it would hurt

The greater the good that results, the more ethical

The greater amount of bad that results, the more unethical◦ Amounts or levels of Positive or Negative

Consequences

The Greatest Good

Elaine knows that half of her classmates cheated on their last exam. The teacher mistakenly identifies an innocent student as the only one that cheated. Elaine decides that the greatest good for the greatest number would be to not tell on her classmates.

Is this an appropriate application of The Greatest Good principle?

Identify some consequences?

Example Case 2

With a partner or small group come up with a situation where “The Greatest Good” principle is applied correctly in society.

Depict the situation in your journal◦ 4-6 sentences, share on Thursday & Friday (15 pts)

Review:◦ The more it helps, the more ethical◦ The more it hurts, the less ethical or unethical◦ Consider consequences to multiple people

The Greatest Good Situation

“Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.”

Often identified with Christianity, but many religions across the world embrace it

Buddhism: “Hurt not others with that which pains thyself.”

Empathy◦ Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes

Respects the dignity and worth of individuals Those who wish to be treated with respect

must first learn to respect others

The Golden Rule

Steve is a good pitcher for the WH baseball team. But, he is having a bad game against Central. Out of frustration after giving up a homerun, Steve beans the next batter in the head. The umpire then ejects Steve from the game.

What should the WH coach do?

Example Case 3

We have discussed 3 ways to make ethical decisions:1. Opinions, beliefs, feelings2. Greatest Good3. Golden Rule

If everyone acted by these 3 ways of making moral and ethical decisions would there be any need for the law? Why or why not?

◦ Consider human nature.

Relationship Between Ethics & Law

Morals and Ethics tell us what we should do

The law is needed because people don’t always do what they should!

Why Law is Necessary

Consists of rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice

Defines legal rights and duties of the people

Provides a means of enforcing those rights through◦ Law Enforcement◦ Courts◦ Legislature◦ Regulatory Agencies

Law

Since the law is made by people it is imperfect

Legislators and judges bring their own opinions on morality and ethics to the lawmaking and enforcing process

Therefore, Ethics and the Law will sometimes conflict

Ethical and Legal Conflicts

Federal and State Constitutions English Common Law Statutes Court Decisions Administrative Law

Laws Come From Different Sources