Morality plays an essential role in aiding ethical decisions either on a personal level or in organizations. This paper examines decision-making in situations that present an ethical dilemma. Also, the paper examines the importance of personal values and morals on leadership.
Responses to Exercise 6-1
Ethical Dilemma: The Citizen
There are two distinct ways of judging the actions of a rational human being who is responsible for their actions. First, one can be judged based on their actions. In this case, it can rightly be argued that one is accountable for his/her actions hence should be judged based on the consequences of their actions. Second, an assessment of the intentions leading to a consequence is made before judging a person. The moral dilemma addressed in this paper is "The citizen." In this case, the most immediate response, according to the universal moral law, is to save the life of the accident victim. Therefore, it is right to drive with an extra speed because a failure to reach the hospital in time risks the life of the accident victim. Although this is an emergency case that needs extra speed, it does not imply that a driver should drive recklessly. The pint is that one should drive with caution while doing all that is necessary to arrive at the hospital with no extra damages. Thus, although the vehicle caused another accident and killed a different person, my action was right since the motive was good, and I should be judged based on my motive to save the life of an accident victim rather than on the consequences of my action. The consequence of the incident that resulted in the death of a different person occurred due to circumstances beyond my control at the time because the main objective was to save the life of the injured victim.
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Stage of Moral Development
The decision taken in the case above was based on Universal-Ethical-Principal Orientation, which is in stage six of Kohlberg’s moral development theory (Peters, 2015; Zizek, Garz & Nowak, 2015) . Kohlberg stated that the Universal-Ethical-Principal Orientation is the highest stage of functioning, although he warned that some people might not reach the stage (Peters, 2015; Zizek, Garz & Nowak, 2015) . The action taken in the Universal-Ethical-Principal Orientation stage is determined by a person’s self-chosen ethical principles of conscience, which are abstract and universal in application. In this case, the decision to rush the accident victim is universal and appeals to my conscience to do the good. Individuals making decisions at the Universal-Ethical-Principal Orientation stage do what they think is right, even if it is against the law (Peters, 2015; Zizek, Garz & Nowak, 2015) . Although over-speeding is against the law, it was necessary to drive at an extra speed to save a life. Thus, the actions of individuals are determined by their internalized moral standards.
Summary of my Values
Based on exercise 7-1 and table 7-1, I am a political individual with a philosophical orientation. Political science is the branch of study that fascinates me, followed by philosophy and then psychology. The quality that best describes my personality is intelligent and persuasive. Also, Napoleon Bonaparte is the most exciting personality listed in exercise 7-1, followed by Martin Luther. I am less interested in other personalities such as Henry Ford and Michelangelo. I am a leader who is interested in political campaigns. I like political campaigns because they combine all the three most fascinating branch of studies: political science, philosophy, and psychology. Political campaigns are designed in a manner that appeals to people’s psyche through practical and psychological means.
How my Culture shapes my Values
Culture plays a critical role in shaping people's behavior, values, and personalities since the social environment shapes human behavior. My culture has significantly shaped by personal beliefs and values concerning morality and ethical behavior. For instance, my religion teaches about love. Everyone is taught to love each other the way God loves us unconditionally. Thus, I exercise love for other people by doing good even in conditions that doing good happens at the expense of my welfare. Other than religion, several different aspects of my culture have greatly influenced my values. My society advocates for the equality of all human beings. The constitution condemns discrimination based on gender, race, or ethnicity. Therefore, I believe we are all equal, and that discrimination is unethical and immoral.
Influences of my Morals on my Leadership
Moral values play a critical role in shaping good leaders. Moral leaders take action by choosing the most ethical decision possible. Thus, moral leaders usually take moral values as a personal matter. In most cases, moral leaders follow their values when the organizational values conflict with what they believe is ethical. Based on the above analysis of my personality and values, I think the following moral values have the following influence on leadership:
Moral Values Guide a Leader’s Decisions
Moral leaders easily make decisions with greater confidence since they have the guiding principles in the decision-making process. Moral Values Strengthen a Leader’s Ability to Influence
Leaders connect to their passions when they communicate from their moral values. Thus, ethical leaders can attract and influence their followers when they speak with passion.
Moral Values enhance Clarity
Life is easier when organizational leaders are clear. Clarity enables a leader to become focused and more productive. However, the most significant way of gaining clarity is being clear with personal values.
References
Peters, R. S. (2015). Moral Development and Moral Education (Routledge Revivals) . Routledge.
Zizek, B., Garz, D., & Nowak, E. (Eds.). (2015). Kohlberg revisited . Springer.
