Justify the notion that 'ethical decisions are, can or should be purely rational and principled.' Discuss how emotions are an inseparable part of our ethical life. In what way do they impact our ethical development? (150 words, 10 marks)

There is issue in normative ethics regarding deciding the parameters to base our ethical decisions. Ethics as purely rational - this viewpoint is advocated by thinkers like Immanuel Kant who argue that ethical principles should be rationally and universally determined [Categorical Imperative & Deontological Ethics]. They argue bringing emotions leads to subjectivity. However, many argue that human emotions and intentions play crucial role in ethical deliberations. Out of compassion one can lie to save a person from murder. Out of human dignity one can abstain from stealing drugs to save life of mother. So feeling impact our decision as they bring humanness and contextuality in our judgement. So although basing ethical principles on moral guard is desirable, still we can't completely ignore feelings & emotion.

Ethics management means ensuring that conduct of any organisation is in consonance with the ethical principles and any violations should be detected and addressed. However, management of ethics is different from managing budgets, policies and people as it involves lots of subjectivity and genuine approach to understand context and intentions. So ethics management involving more broader approach which is in compliant with subjective nature of Ethics.

Is Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct sufficient? Although, Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct establish a framework and benchmark which can help in ensuring compliance of values, yet they are not sufficient; their effectiveness is dependent on the larger societal values and overarching work culture. So, Apart from adopting above, we must work for their effective enforcement and inculcation of strong value system in society & organisation.