Overview of the Four Ethical Lenses™
As you work through the scenario, you are responsible for holding the perspective, questions, and values of these lenses.
To help you remember what those are you can refer to this chart:
RIGHTS/RESPONSIBILITIES LENS RESULTS LENS
Using this vantage point is like looking through a telescope:
we take a very long view focusing on the universal ideal values that are important for
human beings.
Using this vantage point is like looking through a microscope: our attention narrowly focuses on present circumstances as we make choices that help us reach goals we have set for our life.
Rationality (Head) and Autonomy (Individual) CORE VALUES Sensibility (Heart) and Autonomy (Individual)
§ Fulfils the rights and responsibilities of the ethical actor
§ Is done with care and concern for the other indi- vidual concerns
§ Allows you to delight in your work as you carry out your duties
DEFINITION OF AN ETHICAL ACT
§ Has good results
§ Creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
§ Serves the greater good resulting in harmony and satisfaction for many
Principles: Rules that guide individuals to
appropriate behavior HUMAN TASK Ideal goals: Results that we want to accomplish
§ Temperance
§ Honesty and responsibility
FOUNDATIONAL VALUES
§ Prudence
§ Respect for self and others
§ Truthfulness and transparency
§ Privacy
§ Freedom of conscience
§ Free speech
SECONDARY VALUES
§ Maximizing satisfaction
§ Loyalty
§ Flexibility and creativity
§ Responsible choice
§ I was doing my duty
§ I was following the rules
JUSTIFICATION FOR ACTION
§ I make people happy
§ It’s a win-win solution that respects everyone
§ What are the rules?
§ What are my rights and responsibilities?
§ How do I act in a caring way?
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS
§ What will make me happy?
§ What consequences are I willing to tolerate?
§ What are mutually good results?
I am responsible KEY PHRASE I make choices that are good for everyone
§ Seeks self-knowledge
§ Acts from guiding principles
§ Celebrates being accountable
GIFTS § Seeks harmonized goals
§ Acts from free will
§ Celebrates creative change
Belief that the motive justifies the method BLIND SPOTS Satisfied with too little good
§ Being judgmental
§ Criticizing everyone for their ethics VICES AND RISKS § Reducing decisions to cost-benefit analysis
§ Becoming greedy
§ Excuses
§ Exhaustion HUBRIS AND CRISES § Expedience
§ Failure
§ Focus on the ideals you want to accomplish
§ Ask people how they want to be treated
§ Treat people as “fully functional adults”
CHECKLIST FOR ACTION
§ Focus on the abundance you want to create
§ Provide what makes people happy
§ Hold people accountable for their choices
© EthicsGAME All Rights Reserved
Overview of the Four Ethical Lenses page 1 of 2
4-1-2014
RELATIONSHIP LENS REPUTATION LENS
Using this vantage point is like looking through binoculars: we
focus on the playing field of our own community as we
seek justice.
Using this vantage point is like looking through a camera: we capture pictures that focus on persons, or people, that help us identify the ethical requirements of the roles we have in this life.
Rationality (Head) and Equality (Community) CORE VALUES Sensibility (Heart) and Equality (Community)
§ Creates a fair system for resolution of disputes
§ Cares for all members and institutions of the community, especially in the allocation of re-
sources and power
§ Contributes to each member of the community knowing that they are a part of “all that is”
DEFINITION OF AN ETHICAL ACT
§ Consistent with a good character for the particu- lar role
§ Made with an awareness of the interplay of mind and emotions
§ Supports and enhances the meaning you have given to your life
Justice: Assuring that all in the community are
treated fairly HUMAN TASK Virtues: Qualities of character that let us be effective
in the community
§ Justice
§ Fairness
FOUNDATIONAL VALUES
§ Fortitude
§ Compassion and responsibility
§ Fair treatment and administration of rules
§ Appropriate blame
§ Fair compensation
§ Transparent due process
SECONDARY VALUES
§ Integrity
§ Justice
§ Virtues of role
§ Civility
§ I wanted to make sure everyone was treated the same
§ It is only fair
JUSTIFICATION FOR ACTION
§ It was a hard call, but as a leader I had no choice
§ It was the best for all
§ What is equal/equitable?
§ What is a fair process?
§ Is the power appropriately balanced?
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS
§ What action would set a good example?
§ What virtues do my roles require?
§ What does my conscience tell me to do?
I am fair KEY PHRASE I make virtuous choices
§ Seeks justice and fairness
§ Acts from concern for the least advantaged
§ Celebrates healthy institutions
GIFTS § Seeks wisdom
§ Acts from principled leadership
§ Celebrates moral courage
Overconfidence in process BLIND SPOTS Unrealistic role expectations
§ Being overbearing and authoritarian
§ Becoming an ambitious elitist VICES AND RISKS § Self-righteous
§ Becoming hard-hearted
§ Exemption
§ Isolation and grief HUBRIS AND CRISES § Entitlement
§ Confusion
§ Ask: What processes and safeguards do we need to ensure fairness?
§ Listen for where people perceive that injustice is being done
§ Make sure the processes have a purpose and fulfill that purpose
CHECKLIST FOR ACTION
§ Consider the role of individuals and the company
§ Seek excellence in all that you do
§ Consider the end of life questions
© EthicsGAME All Rights Reserved
Overview of the Four Ethical Lenses page 2 of 2
4-1-2014