The New York Times published an article today about inconsistencies in ethical analysis. Author Matthew Hutson reviews the factors that dictate whether people use a primarily deontological or primarily utilitarian lens in their ethical decision making.
Start at the Top
People who sign forms at the top are more honest than those who sign at the bottom.
Why Good People Do Bad Things
Cognitive frames keep us from even noticing ethical decisions.
I Don’t Quite Remember
After their ship sank the Australian HMAS Sydney, the crew of the German HSK Kormoran had to abandon their own ship as well. After being captured, the German sailors described the site of the wreckage, but the sailors identified points…
Casual corruption
Raj Rajaratnam strategically corrupted other business people to fuel his insider trading. He’s been prosecuted, but why haven’t there been more convictions?
See no evil…
Our brains may filter out information when our focus is directed elsewhere, but we are still responsible for that information.