Framework

Four ethical lenses

The question it answers

When a manager faces a business decision with an ethical dilemma, which standard should lead the judgement: rights, outcomes, agreement or character?

Origin
Rachels and Rachels, 2012
Diagram type
Comparison table
Level of analysis
Individual
Topics
Ethics & corporate governance
Clay balance scale with two level glass pans, icon for business ethics

Diagram

Four ethical lenses

CriterionDeontologyConsequentialismSocial contractVirtue ethics
Judged onRespect for rights and dignityNet outcomesTerms everyone can acceptTraits of character
Core questionAm I using anyone merely as a means?Which act maximises total benefit?Which rule could everyone accept?What would a person of good character do?
StrengthProtects individuals from being sacrificedEasy to measureProcedural fairnessSensitive to context
WeaknessRigid when rights conflictMay sacrifice minoritiesReal consensus is hardVague in application
Illustrative exampleThe sweatshop debate (Kant)Heath's market principles (rule consequentialism)Veil of ignorance (Rawls)—

When to use it, and when not to

Use it when

When you need one main frame for the analysis and use another only as an objection.

Pitfalls

Pitfall

Mixing two frames as the main pillar of the same argument.

Sources

References

Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.

  1. Rachels, J. and Rachels, S. (2012) The elements of moral philosophy (7th edn). New York: McGraw-Hill.No DOISource page