Obstacles to Ethical Decision-Making
Mental Models, Milgram and the Problem of Obedience
£38.99
- Authors:
- Patricia H. Werhane, DePaul University, Chicago
- Laura Pincus Hartman, DePaul University, Chicago
- Crina Archer
- Elaine E. Englehardt, Utah Valley State College
- Michael S. Pritchard, Western Michigan University
- Date Published: June 2014
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781107442054
£
38.99
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
In commerce, many moral failures are due to narrow mindsets that preclude taking into account the moral dimensions of a decision or action. In turn, sometimes these mindsets are caused by failing to question managerial decisions from a moral point of view, because of a perceived authority of management. In the 1960s, Stanley Milgram conducted controversial experiments to investigate just how far obedience to an authority figure could subvert his subjects' moral beliefs. In this thought-provoking work, the authors examine the prevalence of narrow mental models and the phenomenon of obedience to an authority to analyse and understand the challenges which business professionals encounter in making ethical decisions. Obstacles to Ethical Decision-Making proposes processes - including collaborative input and critique - by which individuals may reduce or overcome these challenges. It provides decision-makers at all levels in an organisation with the means to place ethical considerations at the heart of managerial decision-making.
Read more- Explains the various obstacles to ethical managerial decision-making
- Presents clear explanations of the key concepts underlying the issues, including social construction and mental models
- Provides suggestions for how ethical considerations can be centrally placed in decision-making
Reviews & endorsements
'The authors do a wonderful job of connecting the problem of obedience to the merging field of behavioral ethics. Their articulation highlights how common aspects about how humans make decisions lead us to be obedient when a more reflective analysis dictates action. Managers and scholars will be prompted to more courageous acts of disobedience after reading this book.' Max H. Bazerman, Straus Professor, Harvard Business School
See more reviews'Whether you are a moral philosopher looking for a survey of relevant psychological science, a psychologist seeking deeper moral philosophical foundations, or a practitioner interested in what causes good people to make bad moral decisions, you have something to learn in these pages. Behavioral ethics is among the most important trend in business ethics today and this book is the single best resource available for in-depth coverage of the psychology, philosophy and practicality of this emerging field.' Robert Phillips, University of Richmond
'Combining research with practical examples, [Obstacles to Ethical Decision-Making] does an excellent job of bringing to light the important role that unreflective obedience plays in unethical decision making. At least as important, by identifying mechanisms to increase the rigor of our ethical reflection, it provides a path toward a more ethical future.' Ann Tenbrunsel, University of Notre Dame
'This book illustrates with case after case a vital message that should (and eventually will) become a central theme in business ethics and in leadership development programs globally. The message is that decision makers are too often imprisoned by their mindsets or 'mental models' - and that moral imagination represents their release. Contrary to popular opinion, conscience is far less about compliance and far more about emancipation. Both scholars and practitioners will find in these pages great insight into the moral failures - as well as the moral opportunities - of modern business life.' Kenneth E. Goodpaster, Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics, University of St Thomas, Minnesota
'This book takes a bold leap from the traditional normative critiques of business ethics to address the perplexing interaction of ethics and mental framing. The authors are multi-talented and draw on the latest research in moral decision-making to meticulously reconstruct the origins of our moral knowledge base. The book's insights into classic business ethics examples invite ethicists and practitioners to escape the confines of their own epistemological boundaries to effect the breakthrough that the authors call 'moral imagination'.' Laura Nash, co-author of Just Enough: Tools for Creating Success in Work and Life
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: June 2014
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781107442054
- length: 260 pages
- dimensions: 229 x 152 x 14 mm
- weight: 0.35kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The role of mental models in social construction
3. The Milgram studies: obedience, disobedience, and ethical challenges
4. Obstacles to ethical decision-making in the perception of ethical context
5. Obstacles to ethical decision-making in impact analysis and action
6. Managing ethical obstacles
7. Problematic mental models: some applications
8. Conclusion
Author index
Subject index.
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×