Applying Ethics to Today

While the foundations of ethical behavior described in the first section of the reading did provide us with the contextual framework for later ethicists, it was difficult to properly blend them with our training in the management of business and its various resources. I gained far more insight from the second reading in Chapter 11, whereby the ethics of business as a social entity within a larger framework of humanity can be viewed as more of a game. The fragile question of right and wrong will certainly be brought up in countless classrooms and discussion boards in all its breadth throughout academic America. To apply the same guidelines to business as one would to the conduct of a good and honest life would be akin, as is mentioned in the text, to applying the rules of life, to the rules of football. I think I'd change the channel.

There is no doubt that having a set of clearly understood and codified human rights is crucial to making good decisions in economics, defense, politics, healthcare, and virtually every field of social relations. Corporate giants are becoming aware of the social responsibility they face and have begun taking measures to promote their images in this regard. An article in last months Economist entitled “Just Good Business” delves into some of the strides and setbacks made. It also mentions that this is a very lucrative new avenue for students in the MBA training pipeline. It's a great read and I think the timing is just perfect for those of us who are still unsure of how this class pertains to our future in the business world.

“Business schools, for their part, are adding courses and specialised departments to keep their MBA students happy. “Demand for CSR activities has just soared in the past three years,” says Thomas Cooley, the dean of New York University's Stern Business School.”

Reference:

http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10491077&CFID=6757091&CFTOKEN=26cf341fb4994cc4-3247BAE5-B27C-BB00-0143B05AE630661E