Ethics and the Psychology Behind the Concept - Part 2 1 CPE

The topic of ethics is a critical part of today’s business environment.  Often, courses try to teach “what is wrong and what is right." However, those determinations can only be made by the individuals who are applying the theory.  Psychological theories outline multiple ethical theories.  Each has its own benefits and downfalls.  The ethical theory employed for decision making emphasizes aspects of an ethical dilemma important to the person.  Understanding the variations in the ethical theories can help professionals understand their control environment and the culture in which they are operating.

Psychology of Ethics Part 1 reviewed: Meta-ethical theories; Normative ethical theories – Consequentialism, Deontology and Virtue.  Each analysis included business examples.  This course reviews descriptive ethics and applied ethics and their application in business.

Prerequisites

No Advanced Preparation or Prerequisites are needed for this course. However, it is recommended to take the other course in the series prior to completing this one.

Learning Objective

• Explore the meaning of descriptive ethics and recognize its business application.
• Identify the types of applied ethics.
• Explore the various categories of business ethics.
• Explore the various categories of professional ethics.
• Recognize how descriptive ethics and applied ethics impact business.

Last updated/reviewed: July 26, 2025