Wednesday, 21 September 09.00-12.30, 13.30-16.15

The intercultural aspect of ethical decision making:
Which side are you on?


Our world is permeated with ethical questions in all sectors : medical - questions of euthanasia, cloning, abortion; business - questions of integrity, corruption, greed; education - violence, fairness, access to; politics - freedom, justice, etc.

This ethical decision making workshop is an introduction to the ethical evaluation systems currently used to address moral dilemmas, conflicts of interest and crisis in values, occurring in everyday life and can be applied to any sector of activity. Theories such as : utilitarianism (Bentham & Mill British philosophers) advocates that we should act in a way to maximize the most happiness, whereas the de-ontological approach emphasizes behavior to abide by certain moral rules and Kantian (German philosopher) ethics which links acts to responsibility will be dealt with. By covering different ethical decision making methods and their practical applications the cultural dimension shall be emphasized. For example, applying these methods to the same ethical dilemma and how certain cultures reason along certain lines - utilitarian, deontological, cultural virtues (as in Confucianism, Islam) etc; yielding different results will show how diverse cultures evaluate ethical dilemmas differently.

After becoming familiar with these diverse ethical theories and applying them to various moral dilemmas, you will be able to assess each ethical system and determine the cultural contingencies therein in order to adapt them to your specific situations. You will obtain the tools and skills necessary to evaluate various ethical issues that confront you in everyday life. This practical workshop in ethics will not only give you a theoretical foundation both for personal growth and professional development and make you aware of the cultural dimension in your decisions and choices but will also demonstrate its practical applications. Some of these systems of ethical evaluation can be applied to the workplace in areas of conflict of interests or dilemma crisis. Taking into account the ethical dimension can enhance decision-making.

Workshop Facilitator: Gale Prawda

As a dual national Franco-American, Gale Prawda, has added to her multicultural background, by synthesizing her professional activities with her academic background. In applying philosophy to the business and educational sectors, she has developed several innovative training programs in areas of communication, ethics and strategy. She has emphasized making philosophy accessible to all in all sectors of society. Teaching in French prestigious business schools, facilitating philosophical discussions in inner city schools, as well as carrying out training programs in communication, project management and ethics in the corporate world, not to mention her philosophical discussion groups in public forums to the general public are some of the ways she's carrying out this mission. Her credentials include:

  • Doctorate in philosophy specializing in phenomenology and hermeneutics and Philosophy of language, Paris X - Nanterre (Director: Paul Ricoeur)
  • Socratic Dialogue Facilitator, Oxford, U.K.
  • Business Ethics Consultant & lecturer on Cross-cultural management, communication
  • Adjunct member APPA,U.S.A., member Ecole Française de DaseinanalyzeCertified philosophy practitioner, SCP, U.K.
  • Founder café philo in English : Paris, London

For further details consult her website: www.philodialogue.com

Who should come to this workshop?
Those in decision making positions in all sectors of society.

Register now

Wednesday, 21 September 09.00-12.30, 13.30-16.15

Price per participant will be €150. This includes two coffee breaks and lunch.

Communicate your questions and expectations directly to Gale.

Register for this workshop now.

To book accommodation for your workshop, please fill in your personal information and the 'daily lodging' part of the main congress registration form.