Business Ethics: Relativism vs. Absolutism

• This module delves into ethical dilemmas in business, focusing on moral perspectives, personal accountability, and decision-making processes.
• It studies how these factors influence corporate actions and responsibility using real-world examples to dissect business ethics and its societal impact.

Ethical Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Ethical relativism and moral absolutism offer contrasting viewpoints on ethics.
• Ethical relativism posits that morality is shaped by cultural, historical, or personal contexts.
• Moral absolutism argues for universal moral principles applicable to everyone, irrespective of circumstances.

Ethical Relativism

• According to Ethical relativism, moral values are products of social, cultural, and individual viewpoints.
• What is deemed right or wrong is subjective, differing among societies.

Main Features of Ethical Relativism

• Rejects the existence of objective, universally applicable moral principles.
• Posits that each culture or society establishes its own ethical framework.
• Cultural traditions dictate what is morally acceptable or unacceptable within that group.
• Societal norms, values, and historical contexts shape moral judgments.
• What is ethical is influenced by the community's collective beliefs and practices at a given time.

Examples of Ethical Relativism

• Arranged marriages are normal in some cultures but seen as violations of individual autonomy in others.
• Some cultures prohibit eating certain animals, like cows in India and pork in Islamic countries, while others regularly consume them.

Criticisms of Ethical Relativism

• It can justify harmful or unethical practices if they are culturally accepted.
• Discourages critical examination of harmful practices, hindering moral growth and societal progress.
• In multicultural societies, it can create conflicting moral standards, complicating ethical disagreements.

Moral Absolutism

• Moral absolutism asserts that certain ethical principles are universal and unchanging, regardless of cultural or individual differences.

Main Features of Moral Absolutism

• Moral laws apply equally to everyone, regardless of culture, period, or personal beliefs.
• Right and wrong are objective and unchanging.
• Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms or traditions.
• Morality is not determined by cultural perspectives; it is based on fixed principles beyond cultural beliefs and customs.
• Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances.

Examples of Moral Absolutism

• All individuals have fundamental rights that should be upheld, regardless of nationality or culture.
• Taking another person’s life without justification is universally condemned, regardless of context.

Criticisms of Moral Absolutism

• It can be rigid, ignoring cultural diversity and the complexity of human societies.
• It may not provide clear answers in situations where ethical principles conflict, like balancing honesty with compassion.
• Different cultures and individuals may interpret and apply universal moral values differently based on context.

Free Will, Moral Responsibility, and Determinism

• The free will versus determinism debate explores whether humans control their actions or if external forces predetermine their choices.

Free Will

• Free will means the ability to make independent choices, not entirely controlled by external forces or deterministic factors.

Main Features of Free Will

• Autonomy: individuals control their decisions.
• Ethical Responsibility: people can distinguish right from wrong and are accountable for their choices.
• Independence: biological or environmental factors do not entirely determine human actions.

Examples of Free Will

• Choosing a career based on interests and aspirations rather than being forced into a specific path.
• Returning a lost wallet, even though one could have kept the money.
• Working hard to overcome negative habits to self-improve through conscious effort.
• Citizens making independent political decisions without external coercion when voting in elections.

Criticisms of Free Will

• Decisions may still be influenced by genetics, upbringing, and societal norms.
• Neuroscience studies suggest that brain activity may determine choices before conscious awareness.
• It may be limited in extreme situations, like coercion or mental illness.

Moral Responsibility

• Moral responsibility is the obligation to act ethically and be accountable for one's actions, recognizing their impact on others and accepting the consequences.
• It guides behavior and societal norms, playing a key role in ethics.

Main Features of Moral Responsibility

• Agency requires the ability to make choices and freedom to choose between different options.
• Accountability: people must be held accountable for the consequences of their actions, whether intentional or unintentional.
• Intentionality behind an action is important in determining moral responsibility. Actions done with deliberate intent carry more moral weight than those done accidentally.
• Awareness is when a person must understand the potential consequences of their actions and be aware of the ethical implications before deciding.
• Capacity assumes that the person can understand right from wrong, and is often considered in the context of age, mental health, or other factors that might impair decision-making.

Examples of Moral Responsibility

• Helping someone in distress involves a conscious decision to act with kindness and empathy.
• If someone breaks another person’s property, they are morally responsible for apologizing and making amends.
• Parents have the moral responsibility to raise their children, provide for their needs, and teach them right from wrong.
• A corporation that pollutes the environment has a moral responsibility to minimize harm to the planet and protect natural resources.

Criticisms of Moral Responsibility

• Individuals may not have true moral responsibility if actions are determined by genetics, upbringing, or external influences, as their choices are not fully free.
• Outcomes often depend on factors beyond a person's control, challenging the fairness of assigning moral responsibility.
• Individuals with mental health conditions or diminished cognitive abilities may not be fully responsible for their actions, raising ethical concerns about accountability.

Determinism

• Determinism suggests that all events, including human actions, are caused by prior conditions and cannot occur otherwise.

Main Features of Determinism

• Causality of Actions: every action results from preceding causes, which influence outcomes.
• Shaping of Behavior: a combination of biological, environmental, and social factors influences human behavior.
• Questioning Free Will: free will may be an illusion, as our choices are often shaped by past experiences and external influences, leaving little room for true autonomy.

Examples of Determinism

• Genetic Influence: a person born into a family with a history of high intelligence may excel academically due to inherited traits and cognitive predispositions.
• Psychological Trauma: a child raised in an abusive household may develop trust issues and struggle with relationships or exhibit aggressive tendencies in adulthood.

Criticisms of Determinism

• Moral Accountability: it may undermine moral responsibility and accountability for one’s actions if actions are determined by external forces or internal conditioning.
• Complex Decision-Making: human decisions may not be purely determined, rather they may involve a blend of pre-existing influences and some degree of free will.
• Capacity for Change: individuals can adapt and alter their behaviors over time, suggesting the possibility of overcoming deterministic influences through personal growth and intervention.

ETHICS IN BUSINESS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Business ethics refers to the moral principles that guide corporate behavior, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) extends beyond profit-making, highlighting businesses' responsibilities towards society and the environment.

Business Ethics

• Business ethics governs decision-making processes, ensuring that companies operate with integrity and fairness.

Main Principles of Business Ethics

• Companies should provide truthful information to customers and stakeholders.
• Fair wages, safe working 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

• A company accurately represents its products in ads demonstrates ethical behavior, whereas misleading claims deceive consumers.
• Paying employees a living wage versus underpaying workers in sweatshops.
• Implementing eco-friendly production methods versus disposing of waste irresponsibly.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focuses on the ethical obligations of businesses toward social and environmental well-being.

Key Areas of CSR

• Reducing carbon footprints, adopting renewable energy, and minimizing waste.
• Supporting education, healthcare, and job creation initiatives 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 using biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact.
• Supporting suppliers in developing countries by ensuring fair compensation.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

• Examines ethical principles in environmental protection, real-world issues, and practical ways to promote sustainability.

Environmental Ethics

• Is the branch of philosophy that focuses on the moral relationship between humans and the natural environment.
• Explores how we should interact with the planet and its ecosystems, examining issues like conservation, sustainability, and environmental justice.

Why Environmental Ethics Matters

• The environment provides essential resources like air, water, and food.
• Human activities impact ecosystems, leading to problems like pollution and climate change.
• Ethical principles guide responsible actions toward nature and future generations.

Ethical Theories in Environmental Ethics

• Anthropocentrism (Human-Centered Ethics) values nature only for its usefulness to humans and assumes human superiority.
• Governments allow deforestation to expand cities and boost the economy.
• Biocentrism (Life-Centered Ethics) recognizes the intrinsic value of all living things and emphasizes their moral consideration.
• Wildlife conservation laws protect endangered species, even without human benefits.
• Ecocentrism (Ecosystem-Centered Ethics) prioritizes entire ecosystems, including living and non-living elements.
• Governments ban mining in protected areas to preserve biodiversity.

Environmental Ethics Issues

• Environmental ethics issues focus on the moral responsibility to protect nature and address human impact on the planet.
• Deforestation: clearing forests for agriculture or development destroys habitats and reduces biodiversity.
• A logging company cuts down a rainforest, which endangers wildlife and displaces indigenous people.
• Climate Change: pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) cause global warming, which affects vulnerable communities.
• Rising sea levels flood coastal cities, which force people to relocate.
• Water Pollution: dumping toxic waste into water harms marine life and human health.
• A factory dumps chemicals into a river, which kills fish and contaminates drinking water.
• Overfishing: excessive fishing depletes fish populations and disrupts marine ecosystems.
• A country enforces fishing limits after tuna populations drop.
• Animal Rights: factory farming and poaching threaten animal welfare and conservation.
• A wildlife group fights elephant poaching for ivory.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Sustainable development meets present needs without harming future generations' ability to do the same.
• It balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being.

Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

• These work together to ensure long-term prosperity and well-being.
• Economic Sustainability ensures economic growth without causing long-term harm to the environment or society.
• Environmental Sustainability focuses on protecting natural resources and ecosystems while supporting human needs.
• Social Sustainability promotes fairness, equality, and access to essential services such as education and healthcare.

Role of Individuals in Sustainable Development

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle to minimize waste.
• Conserve energy and water.
• Support sustainable businesses and products.
• Raise awareness and advocate for sustainable policies.

Sustainable Development in the Philippines

• The Philippines strives for sustainable development by balancing economic growth, environmental conservation, and social well-being.
• The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) aligns with the SDGs to promote inclusive growth.
• Programs like renewable energy projects, waste management initiatives, and reforestation efforts help sustainability.
• Government and private sectors work together to improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure while protecting the environment.
• Sustainable development is essential for ensuring a better future and everyone has a role in promoting responsible consumption, environmental conservation, and social equity.
• We can create a sustainable and just society by working together.