Virtue Ethics and Business Ethics
When considering Aristotelian ethics and then placing them in the
context of modern business practices, it is important to note that the
Greek paradigm was very different to that of our own in the modernist
age. Homer’s Greek myths, imminent wars and conflicts and empires were
all important issues in Greek times, society however does not place
such emphasis on these in today’s society. The concept of strong bonds
in a community where individuals must dutifully care for one another
is not integral in today’s society especially in a more capitalist
society upon which the western world works and flourishes. Individuals
in a community can live without the obligation of duty to others and
without pride if they so wish. In light of this, it is worth noting
that business practice and transaction in accordance with Aristotelian
ethics would not be very common in the modern age.
Aristotelian ethics centred round the concept of improving one’ self –
to quite literally make oneself more virtuous. To become more virtuous
is to improve one’s soul – the soul for Aristotle is split into two
halves, - the irrational soul which focuses around the human desires
and the rational soul which centres on the intellectual virtues.
Aristotle argues virtue is not a quality that human beings are born
with, nor is it hereditary; however Aristotle regards virtue as
important as the care of the physical body.
That said however, Aristotelian ethics can well be applied to business
ethics. The war and empire worldview of the Ancient Greek civilisation
(because of constant threat from other empires such as the Turks and
th...
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...rs facing a moral dilemma about belief.
It can be seen therefore that virtue ethics could be very helpful when
making a moral decision – its dynamic nature especially makes it more
appealing. However, to say that it provides a better ‘moral guide than
any other ethical theory or religious standpoint could’ is not at all
the case. Virtue ethics is too elitist, and while the concept of
flourishing is integral in the theory; few will actually flourish.
Moreover, it is promotes a selfish desire to better oneself, (which is
not at all bad idea in many cases) but it could well be seen as
elitist and exploitative. Bertrand Russell is too extreme when he
states that Virtue Ethics is ‘morally repugnant’ but the basis upon
which he makes such a claim can be seen and understood because of
dated inequality of the ethical theory.
No decision procedure – moral decision making is too complicated to have a single criterion for decision
When we discuss morality we know that it is a code of values that seem to guide our choices and actions. Choices and actions play a significant role in determining the purpose and course of a person’s life. In the case of “Jim and the Indians”, Jim faces a terrible dilemma to which any solution is morbid. On one hand, Jim can choose to ignore the captain’s suggestion and let the whole group of Indians be executed. Alternatively, he may decide upon sacrificing one Indian for the sake of saving the rest. Both options involve taking of person’s life. Regarding what should Jim do in this circumstance, there are two approaches according for Jim’s dilemma that should be examined. By looking into the Deontological moral theory and the moral theory of Consequentialism we can see what determines an action that is morally required.
In today’s global society, a Code of Ethics policy is used to label established, acceptable behaviors among that industry’s business associates, potential investors, and the corporation’s executive officers and employees, and most important, the consumer (Ethics Resource Center, 2003). In an attempt to promote an increased efficiency and productivity potential level, among employees and prospective clients, a corporation’s standard Code of Ethics should guide its members toward a more in-depth examination of their personal moral activity, and how these actions affect the people or acquaintances they encounter. A company should utilize this strategy as a model for the professional behaviors and responsibilities of its constituents, and proves the occupational advancement of that business. Ethics are important in every level of a corporation, but specifically in the day-to-day actions of its members, and the image the company broadcasts to its associates is fundamental in building a stable business foundation. These pledges are a vital communication tool used to covey the firm’s standards for business operations, and predominantly, its relationships with the surrounding communities (Ethics Resource Center, 2003).
In the business industry, there are ethical dilemmas that occur on a daily basis. Some ethical dilemma can include stealing or even having fraudulent documents in order to get an unfair advantage within the organization. Another ethical dilemma that has been brought into the light is bribery. What makes bribery unique is that in various parts of the world, bribery has become an acceptable behavior whereas other parts of the world people would consider that as unethical behavior. In order to understand what is acceptable or not when trying to bribe public officials, we must understand the principles of what is considered to be ethical or unethical.
many in favor and many opposing the idea. I am personally split on the issue; I
tasks of using a formula to figure out what we ought to do, by instead
Explain the connection between the economic model of corporate social responsibility and “free market” or “neoclassical” economic theory.
Virtue, when I hear that word I think of value and morality and only good people can be virtuous. When I hear the word ethics I think of good versus evil, wrong and right. Now when the two are put together you get virtue ethics. You may wonder what can virtue ethics possibly mean. It’s just two words put together to form some type of fancy theory. Well this paper will discuss virtue ethics and the philosophy behind it.
Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is a theory used to make moral decisions. It does not rely on religion, society or culture; it only depends on the individuals themselves. The main philosopher of Virtue Ethics is Aristotle. The. His theory was originally introduced in ancient Greek.
point is that it puts too much emphasis on man which for many would be
Virtue is the moral excellence that an engineer has to abide by in order to achieve a sense of achievement and virtuous gratification towards his actions. Specifically, virtue ethics emphasizes the individual’s character of the action. Virtue relates to engineering by allowing engineers to practice their intellectual virtues which stems from learning and their ethical virtues which stems from habit. Virtue ethics emphasizes that it is who you are that counts and one should value character, a person’s moral habits.
This week's reading really clarified something that I think I overlooked as I did last week's reading on consequentialist. As I stated in my last reflection paper I really agreed with some of the points the textbook mention about Kant’s ethics. Although I agreed with some of those points I did not agree with all of them. I like the idea of naturally knowing what the right things is and naturally doing it not because someone told you once that you should do it, but simply because you just feel like it is the right thing to do. For example, there was a scenario in the reading about a woman named Helen who was a practitioner of virtue ethics. Basically, she witnessed someone lie and she instantly knew that he was a liar, not because she follows
Throughout the centuries, humanity has devised theories concerning ethics. Namely, these theories evaluate how one perceives what is morally correct and incorrect. Furthermore, upon seeing the downfalls of relativism, I have concluded that morality is objective. Moreover, although Virtue Ethics, Natural Law Ethics, Utilitarianism, Duty Ethics, have noteworthy ideas, the modified Divine Command Theory, also known as the Divine Nature Theory, is the most logically sufficient theory.
I do not think that this is a good idea at all. It would not encourage
Ethics is the study of right or wrong and the morality of the choices that individuals make. That basicly means the set of morals or responsibility that a person, group, or field have. Ethics can also be classified as code of morals. In business there are ethics that portray to business. These are called business ethics, business ethics just happen to be the application of ethics, morals, into the business field. Some examples of business ethics are obeying all rules and regulations even when nobody 's looking, which is pretty self explanatory, you shouldn’t be breaking rules. Even if it is as simple as washing your hands after you use the restroom or straight up lying to your customers, they are the ones making you money so if they find out