Business Ethics: Relativism vs. Absolutism

• Explores ethical issues in business, moral views, personal responsibility, and decision-making
• Examines how these shape corporate actions and accountability
• Analyzes business ethics and its impact on society through examples

Ethical Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Ethical relativism and moral absolutism are contrasting views of ethics
• Ethical relativism asserts morality depends on cultural, historical, or personal circumstances
• Moral absolutism asserts universal moral principles apply to all, regardless of circumstances

Ethical Relativism

• Moral values are shaped by social, cultural, and individual perspectives
• What is considered right or wrong is subjective and varies across societies

Main Features of Ethical Relativism

• Ethical relativism denies objective, universally applicable moral principles
• Each culture establishes its ethical framework, dictating what is acceptable or unacceptable
• Norms, values, and historical context shape moral judgments
• What is deemed ethical is influenced by collective beliefs and practices

Examples of Ethical Relativism

• Arranged marriages are normal in some cultures but a violation of autonomy in others
• Some cultures prohibit eating certain animals, while others consume them regularly

Criticisms of Ethical Relativism

• Can justify harmful practices if culturally accepted
• Discourages critical examination of harmful practices, hindering moral growth
• Can lead to conflicting moral standards in multicultural societies, complicating disagreement resolution

Moral Absolutism

• Certain ethical principles are universal and unchanging, regardless of cultural or individual differences

Main Features of Moral Absolutism

• Moral laws apply equally to all, regardless of culture, period, or beliefs
• Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms, based on fixed principles
• Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances

Examples of Moral Absolutism

• All individuals have fundamental rights, regardless of nationality or culture
• Taking a life without justification is universally condemned

Criticisms of Moral Absolutism

• Moral absolutism can be rigid, ignoring cultural diversity and societal complexity
• May not provide clear answers when ethical principles conflict
• Universal values may be interpreted and applied differently based on context

Free Will, Moral Responsibility, and Determinism

• Explores whether humans control their actions or if external forces predetermine them

Free Will

• The ability to make choices independently, without external control

Main Features of Free Will

• Individuals control their decisions
• People can distinguish right from wrong and are accountable for choices
• Biological or environmental factors do not entirely determine human actions

Examples of Free Will

• Choosing a career based on interests instead of force

• Returning a lost wallet despite the option to keep it

• Working to overcome negative habits demonstrates self-improvement

• Citizens making independent political decisions without coercion

Criticisms of Free Will

• Decisions can be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and society
• Brain activity may determine choices before conscious awareness
• Free will may be limited in extreme situations like coercion or mental illness

Moral Responsibility

• Obligation to act ethically, recognize how decisions affect others, and accept consequences
• People are morally responsible when they can make choices and are held accountable for results
• Plays a vital role in ethics, guiding behavior, and societal norms

Main Features of Moral Responsibility

• Requires the ability to make choices freely
• People must be held accountable for their actions, whether intentional or unintentional
• Actions done with deliberate intent carry more moral weight
• A person must understand and be aware of the ethical implications of their actions before deciding
• Assumes the person can understand right from wrong, considering age, mental health, etc

Examples of Moral Responsibility

• Helping someone in distress involves a conscious decision to act with kindness
• Apologizing and making amends for accidental damage
• Parents raise children, provide for their needs, and teach them right from wrong
• A corporation polluting the environment has a moral responsibility to minimize harm

Criticisms of Moral Responsibility

• If actions are predetermined, individuals may not have true moral responsibility
• Outcomes depending on uncontrollable factors challenge fairness
• Those with diminished abilities may not be fully responsible, raising ethical concerns

Determinism

• All events, including human actions, are caused by prior conditions

Main Features of Determinism

• Every action results from preceding causes
• Biological, environmental, and social factors influence behavior
• Free will may be an illusion, with choices shaped by past experiences and influences

Examples of Determinism

• A person from a family with high intelligence may excel academically due to inherited traits
• A child raised in an abusive household may develop trust issues

Criticisms of Determinism

• Undermines moral responsibility if actions are determined by external forces
• Decisions may blend pre-existing influences with some degree of free will
• Individuals can adapt and alter behaviors, overcoming deterministic influences

Ethics in Business and Corporate Social Responsibility

• Moral principles guiding corporate behavior
• Ensures fairness, transparency, and accountability
• Extends beyond profit-making, highlighting responsibilities to society and the environment

Business Ethics

• Governs decision-making processes
• Ensures that companies operate with integrity and fairness

Main Principles of Business Ethics

• Provide truthful information to customers and stakeholders
• Fair wages, safe conditions, and non-discriminatory policies are essential
• Businesses must ensure product safety and avoid deceptive marketing
• Ethical leadership and accountability prevent corruption and fraud

Examples of Ethical and Unethical Business Practices

• Accurately represents products vs. misleading claims
• Paying a living wage versus underpaying workers
• Eco-friendly production vs. irresponsible waste disposal

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Focuses on ethical obligations to social and environmental well-being

Key Areas of CSR

• Reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, and minimizing waste
• Supporting education, healthcare, and job creation in local communities
• Providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and respecting workers' rights
• Donating a portion of profits to charities and social causes

Examples of CSR Initiatives

• Companies use biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact
• Supporting suppliers in developing countries by ensuring fair compensation

Benefits of Business Ethics and CSR

• Attracts loyal customers and improves brand reputation
• Fair treatment increases job satisfaction and productivity
• Investors are more likely to support companies with strong ethics
• Can achieve sustainable success by aligning financial goals with social impact
• Ethical business practices and CSR are key to sustainable development
• Prioritizing ethics leads to a strong image and long-term success