Course : Ethical Leadership

Unit overview

In the unit "Social Ethics and Leadership," we explore the intricate relationship between ethical principles and leadership within society. Through case studies and contemporary examples, students examine leaders' roles in addressing social injustices like poverty, discrimination, and human rights violations. We analyze how leaders promote social justice and positive change through advocacy, activism, and policy reform. This unit also delves into leaders' responsibilities in fostering inclusive and equitable societies by championing diversity and respecting human dignity. By engaging with ethical theories and practical strategies, students develop the skills and insights to lead ethically, contributing to a more just and compassionate world.

Keywords

utilitarian ethics; Jeremy Bentham and unqualified pleasure; John Stuart Mill on the classification of pleasures; utility; point of view of the universe; Henry Sidgwick; Hare's criticism; Peter Singer's preferential criterion; justifying atrocity

Required readings

• Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. "Consequentialism." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy  (Winter 2023 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.). https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2023/entries/consequentialism/.

Complementary readings

• Singer, Peter. “Famine, Affluence, and Morality.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 1, no. 3 (1972): 229–243. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2265052.
• 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.