The Rhetoric and Reality of Business Ethics 635.1
One problem with talking about business ethics is that there’s often a wide gap between rhetoric and reality. The reality is that business isn’t nearly as bad as some critics make it out to be and not nearly as good as its apologists contend. By the same token, ethics may not be as crucial to success as moralists make it out to be.
Yes, trust has been badly eroded by too much lying and cheating, even by basically decent people. Yet every day, people of character successfully overcome pressures and resist temptations to sacrifice ethics for expediency.
At the same time, well-meaning reformers often oversell the role of ethics in success. Asserting platitudes like “good ethics is good business” as if it were moral truth makes ethics vulnerable to cynics who will eagerly disprove the generality with a host of examples.
The truth is, good ethics sometimes is good business, but sometimes it’s not. It depends on one’s goals and how one defines good business. Sometimes, good ethics can end in bankruptcy. Of course, so can bad ethics.
A fairer statement would be: Good ethics can be a powerful business asset. Good things tend to happen to companies and individuals that consistently do the right thing, and bad things tend to happen to those that even occasionally do the wrong thing.
But the crucial point is that the moral obligation to live according to ethical principles isn’t dependent on whether it’s advantageous. People of character do the right thing in the pursuit of virtue, not self-interest.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Subscribe
Comments
Congressman Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s healthcare speech was inappropriate and understandable but out of place considering the venue. Barack Obama the man doesn’t deserve respect, but Obama the President does. Obama’s speech was sophistry and a string of lies. Nevertheless, the congressman should have restrained himself and saved his comment for a more appropriate venue. At least Congressman Wilson was man enough to telephone the President and apologize for his indiscretion.
Posted by: Rich C Schilling | September 11, 2009 12:01 AM
I'm all for healthcare reform, however, we the citizens aren't being heard. Yes, I did attend a local town hall, but there were no disruptions. The State Rep. who's on the Reform Cmt. didn't even attempt to listen and came impatient and defensive.
Calling the President a liar, or anyone for that matter, in a public place isn't good form. It makes the recipient defensive, the sender look like a child who hasn't been taught better, and gives the event/issue the road to chaos. If we're all yelling and name-calling, we aren't listening. Isn't the key to Fairness listening and gathering facts before we make decisions?
Posted by: Margaret Mai | September 11, 2009 6:51 AM
thanks
Posted by: Anonymous | September 11, 2009 8:15 AM
Mr. Schilling overlooks the danger of statements made in "a more appropriate venue" not being adequately repeated. At least congressman Wilson's was broadcast in a timely manner.
Posted by: R.W. Parsons | September 11, 2009 11:12 AM
Mr. Schilling,
You make me smile, but then I need be very careful what I say since apparently you are the keeper of the truth. Your comment: "Obama the man doesn't deserve respect." Everyone, regardless of who they are, their position in life, from the lowest to the highest, deserves respect, or whether or not I agree with them or like them, he/she deserves respect. Even you, Mr. Schilling. have my respect and I disagree most heartily with you, but then that is what makes America so great a nation.
Posted by: David | September 12, 2009 4:07 AM
Wilson's comments were true because there were misrepresentations in Obama's statements. Obama's statements contained lies, but that does not make Mr. Wilson's comments altruistic by any means, so you Republican backers can just hold your holier-than-thou attitudes for just one second.
Any realist will point out that both political parties are tools for business, which anyone who is educated in business can tell you is amoral. Businesses that "go green" do so because it increases sales, not because they care about pollution. It doesn't matter to business which party is right or wrong morally.
It only matters that the politicians do what they can to keep the economy growing. Whether that is through inflationary government spending policies or top-down, top-earner-benefiting income tax cuts, they will pick one and go with it. It doesn't matter what is right or wrong, the two parties will play on your fears of the party that you don't trust.
You are American, you have been indoctrinated into this system for the most part. God bless those who recognize that fact.
Posted by: Cj | September 16, 2009 1:03 AM
Well put!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 16, 2009 7:08 AM
When I heard Mr. Wilson shout out to President Obama, "You lie," I gasped aloud. Yes, it was obvious that Mr. Wilson had enough fervor for what he feels is the truth to speak out against our elected president. I might have felt some reluctant respect for him if he had done so with a measure of civility. However, Mr. Wilson's subsequent apology--as empty and meanless as the mumbled sorry of a kid who does so only "because my mom [my party] told me I have to say it"--demeans both himself and Mr. Obama. Shame on you, Mr. Wilson. If you say it, you should mean it.
Mr. Obama has my admiration for not responding in kind in the tenseness of that moment.
Posted by: Ramona E. Lawson | September 18, 2009 3:45 PM
Congressman Wilson displayed the lack of civility that has become too common in our society. It is unfortunate that someone in such an important position made himself such a poor role model. It is even sadder that some people see him as a hero.
The President of the United States should be given respect, particularly in a public and formal venue. I have never heard so many people speak so negatively in such a harsh manner about a president before. It is disappointing and sad that more Americans cannot give this President of the United States the respect he deserves. It doesn't matter what color he is or the differences in politics, he is our president so he deserves our respect.
I also have never heard a President refered to as "Mr." as often as with President Obama. We even call past presidents "President."
Please encourage all to give and show our president, President Obama, our respect.
Posted by: Anna | September 18, 2009 9:31 PM