Facing daily ethical dilemmas in schools – putting philosophy into practice

Stephen Mitchell, director, Keystone Knowledge, explores two different philosophies which can help guide ethical decision-making in schools

Read the full article below or on page 14 in our March magazine

As operational managers in schools you’re faced with a range of daily ethical dilemmas; from balancing student and teacher needs to making budget decisions, it can be tough to know what the right thing to do is. That’s why understanding the different philosophical approaches to ethics can be helpful, and bring fresh perspective.

Two big names in ethics are John Rawls and Immanuel Kant. Rawls is all about fairness and justice, while Kant is more focused on moral duty and universal principles. Let’s take a closer look at each of these approaches and how they might apply to your work as a school business manager.

John Rawls: the fairness champion

John Rawls was an American political philosopher who believed that justice should be the guiding principle for institutions and resource allocation. He believed that the distribution of resources and opportunities should be arranged in a way that benefits the least advantaged members of society.

For school managers, this means that you should be working to create equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their race, gender or any other personal characteristic. You should also be thinking about the impact of your decisions on those who are less fortunate, and taking steps to help them.

Immanuel Kant: the moral duty believer

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who believed that moral duty is derived from universal moral principles which are independent of personal interests and desires. According to Kant, moral principles should be treated as absolute, and universal, and individuals have a moral obligation to abide by these principles, no matter what.

For school managers, this means that you should be guided by moral principles, even if doing so might result in a short-term loss for the school. You should act in good faith, be transparent in your decision-making, and avoid engaging in any behaviour that could be perceived as unethical. 

Comparing Rawls and Kant

While both Rawls and Kant offer important insights, there are some key differences between their approaches. Rawls is focused on the consequences of decisions and their impact on the less fortunate, while Kant is focused on universal moral principles and the duty to act in accordance with those principles. Rawls is also a consequentialist, meaning he focuses on the outcomes of decisions, while Kant is a non-consequentialist, meaning he focuses on the moral principles behind decisions, regardless of the outcome.

So, which approach is better?

In my opinion, it’s not about choosing one approach over the other; it’s about taking the best of both worlds and finding a balance that works for your school. By considering both Rawls’ emphasis on fairness and justice, and Kant’s focus on moral duty and universal principles, you can make informed decisions that are both economically sound and ethically responsible.

A strong commitment to ethics and ethical decision-making is crucial for the success and sustainability of your school. By taking the time to understand these different approaches, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the ethical dilemmas that come your way and make decisions that are in the best interest of your school and the students it serves.