Analysis of Ethical Principles: Contract Theory, Discourse Ethics

This report delves into ethical considerations within a management context, primarily focusing on contract theory and discourse ethics. The analysis begins with an exploration of Rawls' contract theory, emphasizing justice as fairness and the role of the 'veil of ignorance' in decision-making processes. It highlights the significance of social and economic inequalities, and the importance of providing equal rights and opportunities to employees. Furthermore, the report explores discourse ethics within the economic environment, examining its use in establishing moral viewpoints and justifying norms. It emphasizes the need for ethical perspectives in business to enhance the quality of actions and decision-making. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of ethical considerations, including universal values and the need for business ethics, in addressing various challenges within an organization. The ethical principles are also presented in a way of the references used to support the arguments.

Ethics

Concept of contract theory
The contract theory by Rawls states justice as fairness. The social contract is considered as
hypothetical. As a manager, I will use the contract theory for deciding by considering the
principle of justice. The veil of ignorance will be introduced which will help the employees to
understand themselves and society. It is believed that people get the information for agreeing
with the principles which are regulated and formed for the basic structure of the society. It is a
theory of justice that I will implement for taking decisions for employees. The original position
includes the law, politics, structures, government, and people in justice (Rawls, 2009). Then
another principle is that the social and economic inequalities that I will consider in providing the
compensating benefits to the employees. Liberty and equality in employees by providing the
protection to them at the workplace will help in driving the equal rights. As a manager, I will hire
the employee after considering the job qualification which is related to the job and equal access
to training will be provided. Justice includes distributing the benefits and works in a fair manner
among employees at the workplace. In society, it is required to meet the principles of the people
freely and equally. Justice at the workplace is considered as the first virtue in the organization
and a sense of justice is required (Rawls, 2012). In order to deal with the employees, I will
consider justice for making the decision effectively.
Use of discourse ethics in the economic environment
In Economical environment, discourse ethics can be used in a way of argument that helps in
establishing the truths. It includes establishing the moral point of view for presenting in the
arguments. It requires considering the criterion, procedures, and principles for deciding the moral
validity for making the decisions and actions for the organization. It will be used for making the
practical moral disclosures which aim in justifying the norms and establishing the rights and
obligations. In the economic environment, it requires to take the courage for the problems from
the moral to the laws (Habermas, 2015). The need for business ethics and applied ethics is not
just about negotiation and consideration of ethics Compromises between private interests are
responsible; they are essentially it follows from the fact that universal interest is that they are
also in danger, if not satisfied, they may cause obvious situations like injustices that must be

condemned, such as minimal moral conditions for meeting the human rights. In the organization,
the economic environment is considered which includes the validity of the demand which is not
solely based on the economic benefits and meeting the legal requirement but it also depends on
the relation with the universal values. Ethical perspectives are required to be considered in the
business. The goal of the business activity includes the enhancement of the ethical qualities for
the actions and making effective decisions (Scherer and Patzer, 2011).

Reference
Habermas, J. (2015). Between facts and norms: Contributions to a discourse theory of law and
democracy. John Wiley & Sons.
Rawls, J. (2009). A theory of justice. Harvard university press.
Rawls, J. (2012). Classical utilitarianism. Ethics: Essential Readings in Moral Theory, 30, 262.
Scherer, A. G., & Patzer, M. (2011). Beyond universalism and relativism: Habermas’s
contribution to discourse ethics and its implications for intercultural ethics and
organization theory. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 32, 155-180.