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Intuition, Analysis and Reflection in Business Ethics

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  • Chris Provis

    (University of South Australia)

Abstract

The paper aim draws together two ideas that have figured in different strands of discussion in business ethics: the ideas of intuition and of reflection. They are considered in company with the third, complementary, idea of analysis. It is argued that the interplay amongst these is very important in business ethics. The relationship amongst the three ideas can be understood by reference to parts of modern cognitive psychology, including dual-process theory and the Social Intuitionist Model. Intuition can be misleading when based on fast and frugal heuristics, and reasoning needs social exchange if it is to support moral judgment effectively, but in the complex institutional environment of business, reflection and analysis can underpin social communication and feedback to develop sound intuition. Reflection and analysis are both more deliberate, systematic judgment processes than intuition, but are distinguished by the fact that reflection embraces hypothetical thinking and imagination, while analysis is careful, step-by-step reasoning. Examples of business ethics problems illustrate the need for both of these processes, and also suggest how they themselves can be enhanced in the same social exchange process that underpins the development of good intuition.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Provis, 2017. "Intuition, Analysis and Reflection in Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(1), pages 5-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:140:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2688-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2688-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salvador, Rommel & Folger, Robert G., 2009. "Business Ethics and the Brain: Rommel Salvador and Robert G. Folger," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(1), pages 1-31, January.
    2. Heidi Weltzien Hoivik, 2009. "Developing Students’ Competence for Ethical Reflection While Attending Business School," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(1), pages 5-9, August.
    3. Chris Provis, 2010. "Virtuous Decision Making for Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 91(1), pages 3-16, February.
    4. Sadler-Smith, Eugene, 2012. "Before Virtue: Biology, Brain, Behavior, and the “Moral Senseâ€," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 351-376, April.
    5. Michael Behnam & Andreas Rasche, 2009. "‘Are Strategists from Mars and Ethicists from Venus?’ – Strategizing as Ethical Reflection," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 84(1), pages 79-88, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Clot, Sophie & Grolleau, Gilles & Ibanez, Lisette, 2022. "A reference point bias in judging cheaters," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Farrow, Katherine & Grolleau, Gilles & Mzoughi, Naoufel, 2021. "‘Let's call a spade a spade, not a gardening tool’: How euphemisms shape moral judgement in corporate social responsibility domains," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 254-267.
    3. Rasim Serdar Kurdoglu & Nüfer Yasin Ateş, 2022. "Arguing to Defeat: Eristic Argumentation and Irrationality in Resolving Moral Concerns," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 519-535, January.

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