Work

Balancing, Shielding, Filtering: Three Models of Role Morality

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: How does a role—whether in business, law, government, or some other institution—change what is morally permissible or obligatory? Here I present three options and argue for the third. On the balancing model , a role simply gives its occupant additional normative reasons, to be weighed against all other normative reasons. On the shielding model , a role comes with its own moral code, blocking the force of all role-external reasons. On the filtering model , a role selectively filters its occupant’s reasons for action, creating obligations or permissions to act on a narrowed range of considerations. I argue that the filtering model offers a superior analysis of the ethics of roles, including the concepts of professional integrity and discretion. I focus on three difficult cases: a nuclear safety regulator, a criminal defense lawyer, and a corporate lobbyist. I conclude by discussing the implications of the filtering model for business ethics.

Source: Business Ethics Quarterly

DOI: 10.1017/beq.2024.22

Author: Hamish Russell

Institution: The University of Western Australia

Language: English

Topic: Ethics in Business and Education

Subfield: Information Systems and Management

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550