Context
Ethics is the study of what is morally acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong. It is a discipline of philosophical study that addresses questions of what ought to be. Ethics is not fixed and immutable, it is influenced by social, cultural, and temporal factors. In contrast, will is the capacity that human beings have to choose between different courses of action. The relationship between ethics and will is complex and multifaceted. Will can be influenced by ethical factors. On the other hand, ethics can be informed or modified by will.
The study of ethics and will is fundamental to understanding human behavior and to the formation of a just and balanced society. It allows for a better understanding of motivations for human behavior and provides a framework for evaluating and guiding behavior. It also provides a basis for the promotion of human rights and standards of justice and equality.
On a global scale, several incidents have raised complex ethical issues and moral dilemmas. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has raised various ethical questions about justice in access to healthcare, equity in vaccine distribution, and the prioritization of population groups for inoculation. Similarly, the growing income and wealth inequality, climate change, and discrimination against minority groups are issues that present significant ethical challenges.
Practical Activity
Activity Title: "Ethics and Will: A Case Study on Corporate Social Responsibility"
Project Objective: To understand the complex relationship between ethics and will through a case study of a multinational company and its actions in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Detailed Project Description
This project will involve the study of a multinational company of free choice by the group. Students should research the actions of this company in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), analyzing whether its practices are aligned with universal ethical principles and human rights. Each group will produce a detailed report, a multimedia presentation, and will conduct a debate on the conclusions of their case study.
Materials Needed
- Computer with internet access
- Text editing and presentation software (e.g. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint)
- Books and articles for research
Detailed Step-by-Step
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Group Formation: Each group should consist of 3 to 5 students.
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Company Selection: Each group should choose a multinational company for their case study.
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Research: Students will conduct a detailed research on the chosen company's actions in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They will look for information about the company's practices, policies, charity actions, environmental actions, etc.
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Ethical Analysis: Students should conduct an ethical analysis of the company's practices. They will evaluate whether the company's practices are aligned with universal ethical principles and human rights.
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Report Elaboration: Students will prepare a detailed report containing: Introduction (contextualizing the theme and presenting the chosen company), Development (presentation and discussion of the company's CSR practices in light of ethics and human rights), Conclusions, and Bibliography.
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Presentation Creation: The group will create a multimedia presentation to present their case study to the class.
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Debate Preparation: The group will prepare arguments for a debate on their case study with the class.
Project Deliverables
The first deliverable of the project will be the written report. It should follow the format presented in step 5, with an introductory part, development, conclusions, and bibliography. This report should be delivered before the presentation and debate.
The second deliverable will be the multimedia presentation. It should be visually appealing and engaging, with clear and concise information about the case study.
Finally, students must prepare for the debate, presenting their arguments clearly and assertively. The debate will serve not only to deepen the discussion on the case study but also to work on communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills.
All these elements combined will allow students to deeply explore the relationship between ethics and will in the context of a real and contemporary situation.
