Course : Ethical Leadership

Unit overview

In the unit "Duty and Leadership," we delve into the ethical framework of duty and its implications for effective leadership. This unit explores how leaders navigate their responsibilities and obligations to stakeholders, organizations, and society at large. We begin by examining the principles of duty-based ethics, particularly in the context of deontological ethics, which emphasizes adherence to moral duties and principles regardless of the consequences. Through the lens of duty, leaders are called upon to uphold ethical standards, fairness, and justice in their decision-making processes. Through case studies and discussions, students explore how leaders prioritize their duties and navigate complex ethical dilemmas, balancing competing obligations and interests. We analyze the role of integrity, accountability, and transparency in fulfilling leadership duties and building trust with stakeholders. Moreover, this unit delves into strategies for ethical decision-making and moral leadership, equipping students with practical tools and frameworks to navigate ethical challenges with clarity and conviction. By understanding the intersection of duty and leadership, students develop the skills and insights necessary to lead with integrity, honor their obligations, and contribute positively to their organizations and communities. Through reflection, dialogue, and experiential learning, students cultivate a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of leadership and their role in promoting ethical conduct and social responsibility.

Keywords

ethical leadership; limits of character; moral habituation; critiques of virtue ethics; normative guidance; self-centered ethics; moral epistemology; leadership dilemmas

Required readings

• MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. 3rd ed. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2007. Chapter 15: "The Virtues, the Unity of a Human Life and the Concept of a Tradition" (pp. 204-225).

Complementary readings

• Treviño, Linda K., Laura Pincus Hartman, and Michael Brown. "Moral Person and Moral Manager: How Executives Develop a Reputation for Ethical Leadership." California Management Review 42, no. 4 (2000): 128-142. https://doi.org/10.2307/41166057
• Railton, Peter. “Alienation, Consequentialism, and the Demands of Morality.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 13, no. 2 (1984): 134–171. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2265273.
• Savulescu, Julian, and Evangelos D. Protopapadakis. “'Ethical Minefields' and the Voice of Common Sense: A Discussion with Julian Savulescu." Conatus - Journal of Philosophy 4, no. 1 (2019): 125–133. doi: https://doi.org/10.12681/cjp.19712.
• Wawrzyniak, Jan R. “The Utilitarian Stigma of Environmental Protection.” Conatus – Journal of Philosophy 3, no. 1 (2018): 89–110. https://doi.org/10.12681/conatus.18368.