COOPER'S ETHICAL MODEL
Cooper's Ethical Decision-Making Model
The ethical decision-making model: Application to the workplace
According to Cooper (2012), ethical decision-making encompasses different 'levels' of analysis. The first, expressive, level is based upon gut instincts. Often, these may run counter to formal ethical systems, since they may be based upon impulses of disgust or prejudice. Conversely, our favorable feelings for certain employees may bias us in one way or the other. Next, the moral rules level, is precisely what it sounds like -- analyzing decisions solely based upon existing moral rules or conventional wisdom. These moral rules may not be formally stated or conceived of in a consistent fashion and may even be ethically questionable. For example, a company may tend to hire males to do heavy lifting rather than females, based upon subjective perceptions of competence in the job interview. The next level, the ethical analysis level of moral decision-making, is an appeal to principle, rather than gut moral instincts. Finally, the post-ethical level one might ask: why should I be moral in this particular instance?
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