Course : Ethical Leadership

Unit overview

In the unit "Ethical Leadership: Case Studies," we immerse ourselves in a comprehensive exploration of ethical leadership through the lens of real-world scenarios and case studies. This unit provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges and complexities leaders face in navigating ethical dilemmas across diverse contexts and industries. Through in-depth analysis and discussion of notable ethical leadership cases, students gain insight into the principles, values, and decision-making processes that define exemplary leadership. We examine how leaders uphold integrity, accountability, and transparency in challenging situations, inspiring trust and fostering ethical cultures within their organizations. Moreover, this unit delves into the role of ethical leadership in promoting social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable business practices. By engaging with diverse perspectives, ethical frameworks, and practical solutions, students develop the critical thinking skills and ethical reasoning abilities necessary to lead with integrity and make principled decisions in their own leadership roles. Through reflection, dialogue, and collaborative learning, students emerge from this unit equipped to confront ethical challenges with confidence and compassion, driving positive change in their organizations and communities.

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.