The document discusses teleological and deontological theories of ethics as applied to sport, with teleological theories focusing on outcomes and deontological theories on duties and rules. Utilitarianism and egoism are presented as teleological examples, while Kantian ethics and the golden rule represent deontological approaches. The document analyzes how these ethical theories can provide frameworks for evaluating different aspects of sport.
2. Malloy (2003)
“The cause of any behavior is a result of
values, purposes, and ethical knowledge or
ignorance. These three components and their
interrelation have received relatively little attention
in the debate to improve the state of sport. In other
sectors, such as business, health, and law, the role of
ethics has been much more thoroughly examined”
WHY?
3. Review and Some New
Ethics: “what we should do in a situation”
Values: provide a background, result from a group,
and explain “why we do what we do”
Values can be:
Instrumental: useful in conjunction with other values
Terminal: an end itself
Ex: parents value teamwork in sport (instrumental)
b/c it develops social interaction skills important for
their child’s career (instrumental), which leads to a
happier life (terminal).
4. Teleological Ethics
Greek words:
“telos” (end) and “logos” (science)
Theory of morality; derives duty or moral obligation
from what is desirable as an end to be achieved
Ends-oriented ethical inquiry
Actions are morally good if their outcome is good
“No harm, no foul” or school budget and sports
5. Teleological Theories
Egoism: fulfillment of individualistic desires
What makes you happy?
Don’t deny one’s own interests
Player’s salaries, where to move a franchise, what to
charge for admission
Utilitarianism
The only good worth pursuing is pleasure or
happiness
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) tried to “qualify”
pleasure/happiness
6. More on
Utilitarianism…
Utilitarian- ethical decisions based on a projected
outcome that would bring about the most happiness
for the greatest number of people
Exemplified by John Stuart Mill’s idea of utility:
Some “pleasures” are superior to others
an action is right providing it maximizes human
welfare.
Happiness is good, utilitarianism is democratic
Pursue “higher” pleasures (i.e. knowledge)
Sport example: Title IX correct or incorrect?
8. A Teleological,
Hypothetical Example
The United States’ reputation in international
basketball has declined over recent years
As a result, patriotism (reflected in sport) has also
declined
Hypothetically: Carmello Anthony throws an elbow
to prevent a dunk by the Spanish team (which
changes momentum).
His “foul” helped win the game (a means to an
end), but was considered bad, within the context and
spirit of the game.
9. Deontological Ethics
Ethical theories that maintain the moral rightness or
wrongness of an action depends on its “intrinsic”
qualities and not on its consequences.
Places an emphasis on the relationship between duty
and the morality of human actions.
Focuses on logic and ethics
10. “Deon” means duty
Good things are not done because they produce
good results (teleological ethics).
Example: good sportsmanship after a game.
You, theoretically, congratulate opposing players on
their effort and how they played the game.
You don’t do this because you want everyone to like
you.
Other examples in sport?
Duke Lacrosse Sexual Assault Case
11. More Deontological
Theories
“The Golden Rule”
One of the oldest ideas
Predates Christianity
Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Focuses on altruism (selfless actions)
Kantian Ethics
1724-1804
Moral behavior should lead to beneficial consequences
for humanity
12. Kant: Universality
Applied to all persons at all times
Based on two accepted moral principles:
1) moral judgments must be based on universal rules
that are applied to all persons equally
2) people must always be treated with “respect”
Kant’s “categorical imperatives”: duties are
independent of consequences
13. Categorical Imperatives
Most of us live by rules much of the time.
Hinman, 2006
Some of these are what Kant called Categorical
Imperatives
unconditional commands that are binding on
everyone at all times.
Example: “Always tell the truth”
14. Kant: in a “nutshell”
Kant saw that morality must be fair and
evenhanded
equality
The Kantian path offers a certain kind of moral
safety in an uncertain world.
Heavily applied in “business” ethics and “medical”
ethics courses
How useful is this in the sport management
industry?
16. Metaethics: the last
word!
Loosely associated with deontologies.
They explain normative views (which argue what is
good and right)
They include:
Theories of justice
Egalitarianism: equality and justice
Libertarianism: fair rules and procedures
How can Metaethics be applied to sport?
MLB payrolls and NFL salary cap
18. Ethical Relativism
Ethical Relativism is provides useful insights such as:
The need for tolerance and understanding
The fact of moral diversity
We should not pass judgment on practices in other
cultures when we don’t understand them
Sometimes reasonable people may differ on what’s
morally acceptable
20. Further Thought…
Let’s look at the role that intimidation, competition,
and sportsmanship play in sport.
How would teleologists view:
Intimidation
Competition
sportsmanship
Which is a bigger influence: money or morality?
SportBusiness Journal (2007)
