Nature of Morality

RIGHT WRONG

Why to study Ethics Answer all these questions in just yes or no: 1:You did not help a person who met with an accident in front of you and was lying on the road waiting for someone to give him assistance? 2:Have you ever bribed someone for getting your work done? 3:Have you ever discriminated someone because of his caste, creed, gender or any other thing? If the answer of any of the above mentioned points is yes then my friend its time for you to learn ethics:

Origin of the word Ethics The word ethics comes from a Greek word “Etho” Which means character, behavior and custom.

Different views about Ethics A few years ago, sociologist Raymond Baum hart asked business people, “What does ethics mean to you?” Among their replies were the following: Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong. Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs. Being ethical is doing what the law requires. Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts.

Definition of Ethics Ethics: Man is a social animal. Man himself has derived certain principles to govern his own individual and group behavior , their basic objective is always mutual existence and peace . By ensuring security and protection these standards helps in the survival of the particular community and thus its members. These standards of behavior are called “ethics.” Ethics: Refers to well-based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society . Ethics, for example, refers to those standards(accepted behaviors) that impose the reasonable obligations to avoid stealing, murder, assault and fraud.

Morality :refers to the human conduct, which is…. Definition of Ethics Ethics also refers to the study of “morality” Morality :refers to the human conduct, which is…. “what is right and what is wrong”…….. Ethicists use the term ethics to refer primarily to the study of morality, just as chemists use the term chemistry to refer to the study of chemical substances

Business Ethics By business ethics we mean the study of right and wrong (good and bad) human conduct in business. Examples……. would it be right for a store manager to break a promise to a customer and sell some hard to find merchandize to someone else. Would it be right not to hire a person on the base of religion, color, nationality etc. Promoting a person purely on his competencies.

Importance of business ethics Good image: Business conducted on ethical bases enjoy good image. Balance the needs and wishes of stakeholders: Business ethics requires businesses to think about the impact of its decisions on people or stakeholders who are affected by those decisions. Employee Retention: A successful Business Ethics program establishes a culture where fair rewards system prevails. Setting the Example :Ethical Business Practices points out that businesses demonstrating the highest ethical standards are also the most profitable and successful.

Moral Vs Non moral standards These are concern behaviors that is of serious consequences to human welfare . it can seriously injure or benefit people like……. Stealing Lying Murdering Helping an injured person Helping needy person

Origin of Moral Standards During childhood moral standards are absorbed from family, friends and various societal institutions. Later in life experiences, learning and intellectual development help a person in forming these standards……………………….

Moral Vs Non moral standards In a business context moral standards would be….. Whether products are harmful or healthful. Work conditions are safe or dangerous. Personnel procedures biased or fair.

Moral Vs Non moral standards Non moral standards are what falls outside the sphere of moral standards or Non moral standards: are those conducts or actions that is not of serious consequences.

Moral Vs Non moral standards Examples…. Wearing shorts to a formal dinner party is non moral conduct. Coming in informal dress to office is also a non moral behavior. Attending calls during a meeting is also a non moral act. Saying (thank you) to someone.

Etiquettes Law Religion

1: Etiquettes Etiquettes: Etiquettes: Are something that is Refers to any socially acceptable code of behavior. it comes in the context of Non moral standards, because its consequences are non serious in nature. Etiquettes: Are something that is concerned with manners.

1: Etiquettes Examples….. mouth open in a public place. 1: It is a bad etiquette to chew with one’s mouth open in a public place. 2: Push your chair back into place upon leaving a dinner table is a good etiquette. 3: It is considered a good etiquette to say “please” or “thank you” to someone. 4: it was considered bad manner in America for blacks and whites to eat together.

2: Law Legal acts… Are those acts Law…Means rules and guidelines approved by a state for the public. Legal acts… Are those acts which are in accordance with the law. Illegal acts…. Violating the law. A Note: laws differ from country to country

2: Law A: An action can be illegal but ethically right. Helping Jewish family to hide from the “Nazis” was against German law in 1939. but it would have been ethically right. B: An action that is legal can be ethically wrong. It may be perfectly legal act for the chairman of a company to layoff employees, but ethically it is not permissible.

3:Religion Religion… Religion involves moral instructions, guidelines and values. like… No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother ,what he loves for himself. (Islam) Good people are those people that consider what is best for others is best for them. (Hinduism) Hurt not others with that which pains yourself. (Buddhism)

3:Religion Opinions of philosophers… A: Some philosophers think that ethics is based on religion which means that it is the religion that provides ethical guidelines. B: Some are of the opinion that ethics is not dependent on religion. like materialists they don’t believe in any religion then on what basis (personal standards) they say “this is right and wrong” Outcome…Religion is a source of morality, but morality is not completely based on religion.

Ethical Relativism (Theory) Relativists are of the opinion that ethics is just what a particular society happens to believe what is “right and wrong”. or Morality is something that is related to particular society. What is right in one society may be wrong in other. Example: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Ethical Relativism (Theory) Example.. Abortion is condemned as immoral in catholic Ireland but it is practiced as morally neutral form of controlling population in Japan. Abortion is an immoral act…but permissible in Japan Not permissible in Ireland.

Relativism and the “Game” of business Relativist like Albert Carr…. Are of the opinion that, Business has its own norms and rules that is different from society. “What is right in business may be considered wrong in society” Example.. Marketing strategy in business is permissible which is used for deceiving customers, but deceiving someone is not permissible in society.

Conscience Conscience is a little voice inside of us that guides us in our actions. or These are instructions of our parents that we have internalized . Example… When you were children you were probably told to tell the truth and if caught lying you were probably punished.

Limits of Conscience Example… How reliable guide is this conscience … People say that always “follow your conscience” But following your conscience is not always helpful. Example… Should we keep our promise to a colleague or come to the aid of an old friend.

Code of Ethics A Code is a statement of policies or rules that guides behavior. International Perspective: Code of ethics for Gov’t Service in USA 1:Put loyalty to the highest moral principle. 2:Uphold the constitution, laws and regulations. 3:Give a full day’s labor a full day’s pay. 4:Seek to find economical ways of getting tasks accomplished. 5:Never discriminate unfairly by giving privileges or favors to anyone. 6:Make no private promises of any kind binding upon the duties of office. 7:Expose corruption wherever discovered.