Create a recorded PowerPoint presentation demonstrating ethical frameworks used for problem-solving in your workplace. Which approach would you use based on the descriptions in this model?
Ethical frameworks used for problem-solving in your workplace
Speaker Script (Approx. 60 seconds):
"Our first framework is Utilitarianism. This is all about consequences. It asks us to calculate which decision will result in the greatest net positive for the majority. For example, if a company is facing bankruptcy, the utilitarian approach would support laying off a small number of employees if that action saves the jobs of hundreds of others and keeps the business viable. While it’s cold, the logic is sound: maximize aggregate happiness. The major critique here is that it can easily sacrifice the rights of a minority for the sake of the majority."
Slide 3: Framework 2: Deontology
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Framework 2: Deontology (The Duty Model) |
| Core Principle | An action is ethical if it adheres to universal moral rules and duties, regardless of the outcome. |
| Focus | Duties and Rules. The act itself is what matters, not the consequences. |
| Problem-Solving Question | “What is my absolute moral duty, and what is the rule that all people should follow?” |
| Workplace Example | An employee discovers a competitor's confidential strategic plan on a public server. |
| Application | Deontology holds that it is a universal duty to be honest and respect property. Regardless of the competitive advantage (the outcome), the deontological choice is to immediately delete the document and inform the competitor or one's own legal department. The use of stolen property is inherently wrong. |
| Visual |
Speaker Script (Approx. 60 seconds):
"Next, we have Deontology, rooted in duty and rules. Unlike Utilitarianism, Deontology argues that some actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of the consequences. For example, 'Thou shalt not lie' is an absolute rule. If you discover a data breach, a deontological view says your duty is to report it immediately, even if that report leads to fines or the closure of your business—because your duty to honesty and transparency is absolute. This framework provides clarity and consistency, but it struggles in situations where duties conflict, for example, a duty to a client versus a duty to a colleague."
Sample Answer
Recorded PowerPoint Presentation Script: Ethical Frameworks for Workplace Problem-Solving
Slide 1: Title Slide
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Ethics in Action: Frameworks for Workplace Decision-Making |
| Subtitle | Applying Ethical Models to Problem-Solving |
| Presenter | [Your Name/Role] |
| Visual |
Speaker Script (Approx. 30 seconds):
"Good morning. Today, we're diving into a critical skill for any professional environment: ethical decision-making. Our workplaces, no matter the industry, constantly present situations where the right path isn't always the easiest. We'll examine three core ethical frameworks to help guide those difficult choices and conclude by selecting the most practical approach for our daily operations."
Slide 2: Framework 1: Utilitarianism
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Framework 1: Utilitarianism (The Consequence Model) |
| Core Principle | The most ethical action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. |
| Focus | Outcomes and Consequences. The end justifies the means. |