3 approaches to ethical decision making

Since my first car was a Ford Pinto, I've always been interested in the Ford Pinto explosions were caused by a defective gas tank design provides an interesting case study of approaches to ethical decision making. There are three possible approaches to take when making ethical decisions, an approach consequentialist, deontological approach and a psychological approach. In a consequentialist approach, the decision maker should base its decision calling attention to the consequences of their actions (Trevino and Nelson, 2005, p. 89). Deontological approach, the decision maker should base their decision, focusing on what is right or wrong based on common values ​​and rights of individuals and / or groups (p. 91). A decision maker basing their action on a psychological approach can vary their actions based on their level of cognitive moral development (p. 115).

In the event of a Ford Pinto, an individual who has adopted a consequentialist approach could easily make the decision, what Ford has done and produce the vehicle despite the possibility of having the gas tank exploded at a low speed collision. In addition, you would probably agree with Ford that the car did not need to be invoked once was on the market. A decision maker using the consequentialist approach would look at the consequences for the larger number of individuals and groups as possible and make their decision based on doing less damage and the greatest amount of good for everyone. Since the data that should no longer with the Pinto accidents than other vehicles and parts companies would be of great advantage to keep costs down and bring the car on the market as quickly as possible, but could have easily decided that the greatest benefit would come from going forward with the design, since there would be many who would benefit and probably no more than the existing rules permitted would be harmed.

On the other hand, a decision maker using the approach of ethics would be easily decided not to proceed with the production and / or to recall the machine time was on the market. Since this individual to base their decision on a set of moral values ​​and / or the rights of individuals, who would probably argue that the car should not be produced unless the rights of the minority group that is affected could be ensured .

The results of a decision of an individual as a result of a psychological approach may vary depending on their level of cognitive moral development (p. 115). If, for example, were at a level preconventional that probably would have agreed to go ahead with the sale of the Pinto and / or do not recall from the market because it would have been much influenced by others in society. They feared retribution or management would have hoped that by supporting the majority opinion that they would be rewarded in some way. Even if the individual was at the conventional level may still not have decided to redesign the tank Pinto. While fighting for "good behavior" would have been strongly influenced by most decision makers in business and not go against their will. Furthermore, he followed the "letter of the law," which argued the case of not having to make a change to the project. Only if they had a highly developed post-conventional level of moral development or principles they felt the need to go against the trend in society, in order to support the rights of the minority "regardless of majority opinion (p. 115).

By the way, I survived my 1974 Ford Pinto! Thank God I was rear-ended!