Not everyone can think philosophically about ethical thinking and decision-making. Although some of us do use the great ethics principles of rights, justice and utilitarianism, others prefer simple ethical tests as an alternative.
Ethics principles have almost exclusively been generated by moral philosophers and business ethicists. The ethical tests described here have been culled from the real-world experiences of many. The ethical tests are posed as questions that should provide useful guidance, and they are more practical or hands-on in orientation and do not require the depth of moral thinking that the principles do.
The following ethical tests have proven useful in deciding whether to pursue a course of action or decision.
Test of Common Sense
Using this test, the individual simply asks “Does this action I am getting ready to take really make sense?” Using simple logic, one can think through the consequences of the action. If, for example, you would surely get caught engaging in a questionable practice, this action does not pass the test of common sense and should not be pursued. This test has sometimes been called the “smell” test. If a proposed approach stinks, do not do it.
Test of Making Something Public
This test also has been called the disclosure rule, and it is one of the most powerful of the practical tests. Pose the following question: “How would I feel if others knew I was doing this? How would I feel if I knew that my actions were going to be featured on the evening news for the entire world to see?” How would you feel if your friends, family and colleagues knew you were engaging in this course of action? A variation of this test has been called the “Grandma Test.” If my grandmother saw what I was doing, would she approve? A disadvantage of this test is that it is only as good as the society in which we live.
One’s Best Self
Psychologists tell us that each of us has a self-concept and most people can envision a scenario of themselves at their best. This test poses the question “Is this action or decision I’m getting ready to take compatible with my concept of myself at my best? This test addresses the notion of the esteem with which we hold ourselves and the kind of person we want to be known as. Of course, this only works for those who hold themselves in high esteem.
Test of Ventilation
The test of ventilation is to “expose” your proposed action or decision to others and to get their thoughts before acting. This test works best if you get opinions from people that you know that might not think the same way you do. If you are uncertain about what to do, “ventilate” by asking someone else their thoughts first.
The Big Four Test
Question whether your proposed ethical behavior has fallen victim to the “Big Four.” The Big Four are four characteristics of thinking that may lead you astray or toward an unethical course of action. The Big Four factors are greed, speed, laziness and haziness. Greed requires you to examine whether you are just following your own self-interest. Speed refers to the tendency to rush things and cut corners. Laziness may lead you to take the easiest course of action requiring the slightest amount of effort. Haziness may lead you to take the course though you lack clarity of what is really going on. All four of these represent temptations that, if succumbed to, might lead to unethical behavior.
In my next column, I will explore some other ethical tests that may aid your ethical thinking.
Sources
Archie B. Carroll and Jill A. Brown, Business and Society: Ethics, Sustainability & Stakeholder Management, 11th Edition, 2023.
E. Harvey and S. Airitam, Ethics 4 Everyone, 2002.
Professor emeritus, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, USA. Dr. Carroll received his three academic degrees in management (1965; 1966; 1972) from the College of Business, The Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida USA). He is founding author and now co-author of BUSINESS & SOCIETY: ETHICS, SUSTAINABILITY & STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT (2023), 11th edition, with Jill A Brown; Co-author of CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY: THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE which won the 2014 BEST BOOK AWARD at the Academy of Management--Social Issues in Management Meeting; and Author of BUSINESS ETHICS: BRIEF READINGS ON VITAL TOPICS. Carroll won the first Lifetime Achievement Award in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from the Institute of Management, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Management, International Association for Business & Society, and the Southern Management Association. He has published over 100 articles, and his citations exceed 100,000 according to Google Scholar Citations.