Bazerman (2020) bases his judgments on a philosophical theory called utilitarianism. According to the utilitarian ethical perspective, the moral worth of behavior or act is determined by the overall satisfaction or pleasure experienced by all participants of the action. The author’s thesis is that individuals should base their decisions on the greater benefit of all, not just their own interests. The made decision will then be as ethical as possible.
Major learning outcomes
There are many ways to make decision-making as ethical as possible. First and foremost, a person should always judge by making comparisons and avoid assessing a single option (Bazerman, 2020, p. 94). When faced with a decision, people rely more on intuition than rationality. Thus, if the applicant has a strong résumé, the employer may choose to hire them. However, they may have identified better candidates if they had waited for other options. You can acquire a lot more accurate picture of the issue and choose the most beneficial course of action when there are options to compare.
Second, people should always analyze their worth before making decisions. Bazerman (2020) calls it a trade-off when a person compares and chooses between two options analyzing their worth. Negotiation occurs when parties with divergent interests make a trade-off. When bargaining, people frequently solely consider their own benefits. During negotiations, the parties need to understand that this is not a battle for opinion but a search for common interests in order to reach an agreement. Therefore, a person should respect not just their interests but also the interests of other parties. All of this is done to guarantee ethical negotiations and a fair result.
Thirdly, in order to get the best outcome, people must allocate their time effectively. Time is a resource that is necessary to accomplish certain objectives. By utilizing the example of his colleague, Bazerman (2020) illustrates how effective time management and prioritizing may produce outstanding outcomes. For instance, working on a research project rather than assisting students with their essays might benefit society more. This in no way implies that the latter is not significant at all; it just means that the professor’s skills will be much more beneficial if he invests two hours in research.
Fourth, people must learn to put the needs of others above their own desires. Even when people do not want to, they frequently act unethically to satisfy their desires. Additionally, in order to make up for this, these same people work hard to assist society as much as they can. As a result, corrupt government officials and criminals make significant charitable contributions (Bazerman, 2020, p. 96). People must see the broader picture in these circumstances, be proud of their accomplishments, and fix their flaws. Thus, people might learn to pursue altruistic objectives instead of selfish ones.
The article’s value and impact on the reader
This reading will be helpful to a large audience of people. The essay advises readers to act in ways that benefit society rather than their personal wishes. Bazerman (2020) defines utilitarianism and demonstrates the application of this theory to increase the common good in the world. The reader will gain knowledge about decision-making via comparison, negotiating strategies, the value of time management, and the moral conduct of a leader. As a result, the audience can reconsider some of their beliefs and adopt a new perspective on morality and societal structure. By doing this, the author helps to make the world a more ethical place.
Reference
Bazerman, M. H. (2020). A new model for ethical leadership. Harvard Business Review, 91-97.