Leadership Ethics
An Introduction

Are leaders morally special? This book uses moral theory and empirical research in psychology to introduce the ethics of leadership.

Terry L. Price (Author)

9780521875837, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 July 2008

254 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.47 kg

“Asking throughout whether rule breaking is justified in everyday leadership, the author answers in the form of a narrative that underscores the tension between relieving the ‘normal’ human psyche and achieving the best moral analysis. Price tightly weaves threads from empirical psychology, leadership theory, and moral philosophy to provide a clear case for being duty bound to embrace the Kantian viewpoint…Highly recommended.”
-G. E. Leaf, Washington State University, Choice

Are leaders morally special? Is there something ethically distinctive about the relationship between leaders and followers? Should leaders do whatever it takes to achieve group goals? Leadership Ethics uses moral theory, as well as empirical research in psychology, to evaluate the reasons everyday leaders give to justify breaking the rules. Written for people without a background in philosophy, it introduces readers to the moral theories that are relevant to leadership ethics: relativism, amoralism, egoism, virtue ethics, social contract theory, situation ethics, communitarianism, and cosmopolitan theories such as utilitarianism and transformational leadership. Unlike many introductory texts, the book does more than simply acquaint readers with different approaches to leadership ethics. It defends the Kantian view that everyday leaders are not justified in breaking the moral rules.

Part I. Leader-Centric Approaches: 1. Relativism and exceptionalism
2. Reason and amoralism
3. Power and self-interest
4. Traits and virtues
Part II. Group-Centric Approaches: 5. Permission and consent
6. Situations and circumstances
7. Membership and moral particularity
8. The greater good
9. Everyday leadership ethics.

Subject Areas: Business & management [KJ], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]