This course considers central positions in moral philosophy, with a special focus on how they apply to the practice of business and economics. Ethics is the study of reasoning about the moral claims, such as the justification of action and determination of which actions are right and wrong. Various types of moral theories (in particular, consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics) and their limitations will be discussed. The course will attempt to bring these approaches into dialog with several moral issues in business and economics, focusing in particular on the extent to which such theories can be helpful in guiding practice.

After completing a ZuWi II course, students will have acquired knowledge about the social, ethical and environmental context of economic action. This course focuses in particular on the moral dimension of economic activity. It will help provide students a holistic perspective from which the economy can be seen anchored in a social and moral context. Students will be taught to recognize that their future professional decisions have an impact on society, that questions about what to do in business are often moral questions, and that they have a social responsibility and to contribute to long-term sustainable development. In addition, the course will cultivate critical self-reflection, will teach students to present information clearly, and to consider, communicate and evaluate arguments. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

•    To explain and assess basic approaches to moral philosophy
•    To bring concepts and methods of moral philosophy to bear to assess actions in general, and to bring moral theory to bear on current social and political debates in particular
•    To evaluate different options for action that arise in business and other economic contexts

•    Lectures
•    readings
•    reading comprehension exercises
•    group discussion
•    short, original presentations

1.    Participation: 20%

Regular attendance and contributions to class discussions

2.    Projects: 20%

Each student will be required to give a short, 15 min presentation

3.    Weekly Assignments: 20%

Reading comprehension exercises

4.    Final Exam: 40%

Short answer questions, drawn from readings, and an essay question.

Für administrative Belange wenden Sie sich bitte ausschließlich an das Sekretariat
des Institut für Soziologie und Empirische Sozialforschung.
(Tel: 01 - 31336  Klappe: 4737 oder 4433 oder 4762)

Lehrveranstaltungsleiter:
E-Mail: dsharp@wu.ac.at; richard.raatzsch@wu.ac.at
Tel: 01 - 31336 -4166 Sekretariat Philosophie

Participation:

Students should attend lecture and participate in class discussions constructively, by (e.g.) raising relevant questions, posing objections, or sharing their opinions about the topics discussed.

Presentations

Each student must give a presentation of 15 minutes maximum (10 minutes minimum) on a topic in business ethics.

Each student will choose one topic in business ethics from the predetermined list (see attached). I have tried to construct the list to be representative of some of the most important issues in business ethics. The presentation should:

(1) summarize the issue discussed in the article (what is the ethical issue);

(2) outline the author’s argument, as clearly as possible, (what are the premises of the argument, and what is the conclusion or position the author argues for);

(3) evaluate the argument (do you agree the premises? Does the conclusion follow?, etc.).

Presentations should use either PowerPoint or a handout, to be printed by student.

Short Answer Questions

Each reading assignment will include short-answer questions. These should be answered in short paragraphs (3-6 sentences). Students can miss no more than 2 homework assignments. Please hand in answers before each class begins, either in person at the beginning of lecture, or by email.

Final Exam:

The final exam will consist of short answer questions (2/3 of grade), drawn mostly from reading assignments, and to a lesser extent, lecture discussions, and a longer essay (1/3 of grade).