1. Why study ethics?

2. So, what’s the point of studying ethics
So, what’s the point of studying ethics? One of the reasons why we study ethics is to think about what it means to be human (i.e. what it means to be a ‘person’, a ‘moral agent’, or a member of the community).

3. We are ‘persons’ before we pursue a career in law, medicine, accounting, marketing, or engineering. And we do not stop being ‘persons’ once we have become lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers or real estate agents.

4. But what exactly does it mean to be a ‘person’ or ‘moral agent’?

5. As you probably remember, to be a ‘person’ or a ‘moral agent’ is to:
make moral judgments based on reason,
understand and perform one’s moral duties,
take responsibility for one’s actions, and
show concern for others.

6. Take business ethics as an example
Take business ethics as an example. A key question we need to consider in the study of business ethics is whether or not we can expect corporations (and corporate executives) to behave like responsible moral agents.

7. Milton Friedman, for example, argues that corporations (and corporate executives) cannot be expected to behave like moral agents. Why? Because he thinks that corporations and corporate executives do not have moral duties to other members of society.

8. For Friedman, corporations are artificial entities created for the sole purpose of profit maximization. And corporate executives only have one duty: to find ways to maximize shareholder value (i.e. to maximize profit for shareholders).

9. Unfortunately, Friedman’s view has now become so influential that hardly a day goes by without hearing news of corporate misconduct, or about irresponsible corporate executives who put profit before ethics and the common good.

10. Amazon’s questionable business practices (e. g
Amazon’s questionable business practices (e.g. tax evasion) and Facebook’s disregard for privacy (e.g. mishandling of user data) are the latest examples of irresponsible corporate behavior.

11. The study of business ethics is not about finding excuses for irresponsible and unethical corporate behavior. The study of business ethics is about how to conduct business in an ethical and responsible manner.

12. A socially responsible corporation (i. e
A socially responsible corporation (i.e. a corporation that behaves like a responsible moral agent) is one that [1] does what is right and avoid doing what is wrong; [2] takes full responsibility for its business activities; and [3] shows concern for the interests and well-being of other members of society.

13. Should we expect corporate executives (e. g
Should we expect corporate executives (e.g. Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg) and political leaders (Donald Trump, President Xi) to behave like responsible moral agents? Do you think those people in power should be held accountable for the decisions they made?

14. Do you think corporate executives and political leaders should care about the other members of society? Do you think they should be criticized and held accountable if they failed to do so?

15. We are in a bad situation today. And it’s likely to get worse and worse. Does it mean that we don’t have to care about what is right wrong anymore? Or should we take questions of right and wrong even more seriously?

16. Can we still find a way to fix the problems
Can we still find a way to fix the problems? If you still care about the people around you, and if you still want to find a way to deal with the problems that we are facing today, it’s time to get our acts together.

17. Someone once said: ‘If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.’

18. I remember when I was a university student, I asked myself again and again whether I would become part of the solution, or whether I would become part of the problem.

19. But nowadays, most young people have never heard of the proverb, let alone giving any thoughts to its implication.

20. Like it or not, if you don’t develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to deal with the challenges ahead, you will most likely become part of the ‘problem’ rather than part of the ‘solution’.

21. I have done my part. Now the choice is yours.