LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning individuals, and they experience various forms of discrimination that may occur in professional and workplace contexts. Ethics is the study of moral philosophy, which deals with what constitutes good and bad behavior in human society. Therefore, this article will examine different ethical frameworks that can help evaluate discrimination against LGBT people in these settings.
Deontological Framework
The deontological framework argues that actions are either right or wrong based on their inherent characteristics. It emphasizes the importance of following rules and regulations set by organizations to determine whether someone has engaged in unethical behavior towards LGBT employees.
An organization may have policies prohibiting discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity. If someone violates such policies, they should be held accountable regardless of their intentions or consequences. The theory assumes that morality depends on following rules, so it focuses on what one does rather than why they do something.
Some critics argue that this approach fails to address situational factors that affect decision-making, leading to inconsistencies in judging similar situations differently.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism prioritizes maximizing happiness or minimizing harm to all parties involved. Thus, evaluating discrimination against LGBT people requires considering its impact on the individual and others around them.
A company may have a policy that allows discriminatory behaviors but promotes positive outcomes for non-LGBT workers, such as increased job satisfaction. In contrast, utilitarianism would consider how such decisions affect LGBT individuals' mental health and wellbeing. This framework also considers the greater good of society, which may involve balancing competing interests between various groups. Critics suggest that this approach lacks specificity, leaving room for subjective interpretation regarding what constitutes "good" or "bad."
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics emphasizes developing moral character traits like courage, honesty, and compassion to guide actions. It recognizes that individuals are complex and cannot reduce their behavior to simple rules or calculations. Instead, they must learn to behave virtuously by cultivating these traits through practice. Therefore, evaluating discrimination against LGBT people involves examining an individual's motivations, intentions, and consequences.
If someone exhibits integrity, fairness, and respect towards LGBT employees, they should be praised even if their actions do not follow organizational policies explicitly.
Some argue that this approach is too vague and leaves much room for debate over what constitutes virtue.
Justice Framework
The justice framework focuses on distributive justice (fair distribution of resources) and procedural justice (fair processes). Evaluating discrimination against LGBT people requires considering factors beyond just treatment within organizations; it looks at broader social inequalities outside the workplace, including laws, policies, and cultural attitudes. Distributive justice prioritizes equitable resource allocation while procedural justice ensures fair decision-making processes.
A company may have policies promoting equality but operate in a community with anti-LGBT legislation. In such cases, addressing the root causes of discrimination would require advocacy for policy change rather than simply punishing individuals for non-compliance. Critics suggest that this approach fails to acknowledge individual agency, assuming everyone operates under equal circumstances.
What ethical frameworks best evaluate discrimination against LGBT people in professional and workplace contexts?
Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals is a significant issue in many workplaces. Ethical frameworks can be used to examine this problem from various perspectives and help identify appropriate solutions. One framework that has been widely applied is Kantianism, which emphasizes respect for persons as an end in itself rather than simply as a means to achieve other goals.