Prof. Thomas White, Hilton 251, 310-338-4523 (office), 310-376-2484 (home)
E-mail: ceb@lmu.edu
Office hours: T/Th 1:30-3:00, 6-6:30; other times by appointment.
Books:
Plato, Gorgias
Thomas White, Right and Wrong (Prentice Hall)
I will also be providing you with cases.
Preliminary schedule:
January 11 Preliminaries.
16, 18, 23 Introduction. Philosophical ethics, what it is and isn't. What makes an issue an "ethical" issue? Read: R/W chs. 1 and 2. 25, 30,
Feb 1, 6, 8Determining the ethical character of an action by evaluating its consequences. A teleological approach to ethics. Utilitarianism. Read: R/W ch. 3.
13, 15 Determining the ethical character of an action by analyzing the intrinsic properties of an action. A deontological approach to ethics. Read: R/W, ch. 4.
15, 20 Analyzing ethical dilemmas using deontological approach.
22, 27, March 1 No class
6, 8, 13, 15 Analyzing ethical dilemmas using both deontological and teleological approaches. Read: R/W ch.6
20, 22 "Wall Street"
27 The rationale for ethical behavior. Ethics and the healthy personality. Read: R/W, ch. 5; Gorgias, pages to be announced
29 Gorgias, pages to be announced
April 3, 5 Gorgias, pages to be announced
10, 12 Business Ethics Competition: Preliminary round
17, 19 Business Ethics Competition: Consolation round
24, 26 Summary
Grading:
Your grade will be based primarily on a series of exercises on assigned topics (most likely papers, but quizzes or examinations are also possible). The type, number and length will be announced during the first week of class. Participation in the spring Business Ethics Fortnight student team presentation competition can take the place of some of these exercises (details will be announced). Attendance is expected. If you arrive after attendance is taken, you will be considered absent. Missing more than four classes will adversely affect your grade unless you take the initiative to contact me about doing additional work.
Papers:
Diagnostic: The Alibi Agency
Paper 1: Power Industry: case (page 1, 2), answer sheet
Paper 2: Love and Business: case, answer sheet
Paper 3: Dow: assignment, case (page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), answer sheet