Determinants mean deciding factors, close to what is the reason for their existence.
Definition: Determinants of ethical action are the factors that influence whether a person chooses to act ethically or unethically in a given situation.
| # | Determinant | Explanation / Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intention (Volition) | The purpose or motive behind the action — e.g., telling a lie to save a life vs to exploit |
| 2 | Freedom of Choice | Whether the person had free will to act — coercion reduces ethical responsibility |
| 3 | Knowledge & Awareness | One must be aware of right vs wrong — ignorance may limit ethical culpability |
| 4 | Values and Principles | Personal and societal values (truth, justice) guide ethical decisions |
| 5 | Consequences of Action | Considering outcomes for self and others — e.g., utilitarian or Gandhian test |
| 6 | Duty (Deontological Ethics) | Ethicality based on duty, not consequences — e.g., whistleblowing despite risk |
| 7 | Legal and Social Norms | Laws, customs, and peer expectations shape ethical action (e.g., corruption is legally wrong) |
| 8 | Emotions and Empathy | Compassion, guilt, anger, etc. influence moral sensitivity and reaction |
| 9 | Culture and Religion | Social and religious teachings influence moral compass (e.g., Dharma in Gita) |
| 10 | Education and Moral Training | Ethics education shapes decision-making — role of family, school, civil services training |
| 11 | Organizational Environment | Work culture can promote or suppress ethical behavior — e.g., red-tapism vs transparency |
| 12 | Leadership Influence | Ethical or unethical leaders influence team behavior and decisions |
| 13 | Fear of Punishment / Incentives | Fear of loss (job, reputation) or lure of rewards can guide choices |
| 14 | Role Models | Actions of admired figures (Gandhi, Kalam) serve as ethical benchmarks |
| 15 | Time and Pressure | Urgency or crisis can distort moral judgment — e.g., disaster management, war decisions |
| Internal Determinants | External Determinants |
|---|---|
| Intention, values, emotions, conscience, knowledge | Laws, social norms, leadership, organizational culture, consequences |