A Theoretical Origin of Ethics in Business and Tech Industry from Coursera

This course focuses on the theoretical origins of ethics. There are many possible paths, but it seems that ethics found its origins in the early days after the emergence of Homo Sapiens.

The discussion here recognizes that many believe in Creation and many believe in Evolution. For the purposes of this study, the evolutionary path is assumed and the course develops from there.

Included in the discussion are summaries from various sources about the time of emergence of Homo Sapiens, the slow development of group dynamics, the establishment of what we now call human nature, and a brief discussion of where we, as a culture, are going – at least from an ethical perspective.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

The Human Condition and Where Do We Come From?

This module addresses the possible origins of ethics. It examines, from an evolutionary standpoint, theories about the emergence of Homo Sapiens and its survival instincts, some of which might be considered, in today’s terms, ethical traits associated with the best interests of the individual. It also considers the emergence of the family group and small tribes where a different set of traits were admired and expected; those that were associated with the interests of the group. Lastly, we consider the emergence of larger groups and small societies where societal norms modified ethics even further.

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what should give you pause

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Examines the possible origins of ethics with an evolutionary basis, which is useful for understanding human nature and decision-making

Explores the concepts of eusociality and social evolution, providing insights into exceptionally successful species

Taught by instructors with experience in engineering and management, providing practical insights into the ethical challenges faced in these fields

Offered in conjunction with a Master's program at CU Boulder, indicating academic rigor and credibility

Reviews summary

Evolutionary ethics for management

According to students, 'A Theoretical Origin of Ethics in Business and Tech Industry' provides a unique and insightful perspective by exploring the evolutionary origins of ethics and human behavior. Learners find the course offers a strong theoretical foundation, particularly valuable for those in leadership and management roles in tech and engineering, as it helps understand conflicting individual and organizational traits. While many appreciate the academic rigor and the novel approach, some mention the course is highly theoretical, with a focus more on philosophical origins than direct practical applications or current industry case studies. The course's explicit assumption of an evolutionary path is also a notable characteristic.

Offers a unique, evolution-based view on ethics.

"This course provided a truly unique and insightful perspective on ethics. The evolutionary approach helped me understand human behavior in a way I hadn't considered before."

"The course's assumption of an evolutionary path for ethical development is a compelling angle, providing a fresh framework for analysis."

"I appreciated the academic rigor and the focus on the deep theoretical origins, especially the concepts of eusociality and social evolution."

Builds a solid understanding of human nature and ethics.

"It really broadened my perspective on why people make the decisions they do, offering a solid framework for understanding human nature."

"The modules were well-structured, building a strong theoretical foundation, particularly on individual vs. group interests in ethics."

"Absolutely brilliant for anyone interested in the deeper 'why' behind human ethics. It challenges your thinking about where our moral instincts come from."

Valuable insights for professionals in management roles.

"This is incredibly valuable for my role in tech leadership. It's essential for leaders who want to truly understand their teams."

"The connection to the ME-EM program is clear, making it highly relevant for managers navigating complex ethical landscapes."

"It helps understand conflicting individual and organizational traits, which is highly applicable for professional leadership in any sector."

Course content is based on an assumed evolutionary path.

"Be aware that the course assumes an evolutionary origin for ethics, which might not sit well with everyone's beliefs."

"The sole focus on evolutionary theory might limit broader ethical discussions for some learners seeking alternative viewpoints."

"Learners should be comfortable with the evolutionary framework to fully engage with the course content and its premises."

Focuses on abstract origins rather than practical application.

"I was hoping for more direct business ethics case studies rather than historical theory for immediate application."

"While insightful, the content felt more philosophical than immediately applicable to real-world tech industry dilemmas."

"I found it largely theoretical, not a 'how-to' guide for ethics that provides immediate practical application for daily work."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A Theoretical Origin of Ethics in Business and Tech Industry with these activities:

Review Evolutionary Biology

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Understand the evolutionary origins of ethical behavior

View Evolution on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1
Take notes on the concepts of natural selection and adaptation
Summarize the chapter

Participate in an Ethics Bowl

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Engage in lively discussion and argumentation

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find an Ethics Bowl competition
Prepare for the competition
Participate in the competition

Define Ethical Terms

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Reinforce understanding of ethical concepts

Browse courses on Ethics

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List 10 ethical terms
Define each term
Provide an example of each term

Five other activities

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Attend a Study Group

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Collaborate with peers and reinforce understanding

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find a study group
Attend the study group
Participate in discussions

Explore Case Studies

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Apply ethical principles to real-world scenarios

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find a case study that interests you
Analyze the case study and identify the ethical issues involved
Develop a solution to the ethical issues

Contribute to an Open-Source Ethics Project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the community

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find an open-source ethics project
Contribute to the project

Write a Position Paper

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Develop critical thinking and communication skills

Browse courses on Ethics

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Choose an ethical issue to write about
Research the issue
Develop a thesis statement
Write the paper

Mentor a Younger Student

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Develop leadership and communication skills

Browse courses on Ethics

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Find a younger student who needs help with ethics
Meet with the student regularly
Provide guidance and support

Career center

Learners who complete A Theoretical Origin of Ethics in Business and Tech Industry will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Ethicist

A Business Ethicist develops and implements ethical policies and procedures for companies. A deep knowledge of theoretical ethics is essential for this role. This course provides a solid foundation in the philosophical origins of ethics, which can be directly applied to the development of ethical frameworks for businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Ethicist

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations that underpin corporate social responsibility, which can help CSR Managers make more informed decisions about how to allocate resources and develop effective strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Ethics Officer

Ethics Officers are responsible for overseeing the ethical conduct of a company. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundations of ethics, which can help Ethics Officers make informed decisions about how to address ethical issues and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethics Officer

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources of a company, including developing and implementing HR policies and procedures. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to HR management, which can help HR Managers make more informed decisions about how to manage employees and create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives for companies. This course provides a solid foundation in the ethical considerations related to sustainability, which can help Sustainability Managers make more informed decisions about how to develop and implement sustainable practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Compliance Manager

Compliance Managers are responsible for ensuring that a company complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to compliance, which can help Compliance Managers make more informed decisions about how to develop and implement compliance programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Manager

CSR Consultant

CSR Consultants advise companies on how to develop and implement corporate social responsibility initiatives. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations that underpin corporate social responsibility, which can help CSR Consultants provide more informed advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for CSR Consultant

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise companies on how to develop and implement sustainability initiatives. This course provides a solid foundation in the ethical considerations related to sustainability, which can help Sustainability Consultants provide more informed advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

HR Consultant

HR Consultants advise companies on how to manage their human resources. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to HR management, which can help HR Consultants provide more informed advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for HR Consultant

Compliance Consultant

Compliance Consultants advise companies on how to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to compliance, which can help Compliance Consultants provide more informed advice to their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Consultant

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies for governments and other organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to policy development, which can help Policy Analysts make more informed decisions about how to develop and analyze policies.

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Journalist

Journalists report on news and current events. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to journalism, which can help Journalists make more informed decisions about how to report on the news and current events.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to law, which can help Lawyers make more informed decisions about how to advise and represent their clients.

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Judge

Judges preside over court cases and make decisions based on the law. This course provides a strong foundation in the ethical considerations related to law, which can help Judges make more informed decisions about how to preside over court cases.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at universities and colleges. This course provides a strong foundation in the theoretical foundations of ethics, which can help Professors develop and teach courses on ethics and conduct research in the field.

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