Ethical Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Ethical issues in business, moral views, personal responsibility, and decision-making are explored
• Corporate actions and accountability are shaped by ethical considerations
• Business ethics and their impact on society are analyzed through examples

Ethical Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism

• Ethical relativism and moral absolutism represent contrasting views on ethics
• Morality depends on cultural, historical, or personal circumstances, according to ethical relativism
• Universal moral principles apply to all, regardless of circumstances, according to moral absolutism

Ethical Relativism

• Moral values are shaped by social, cultural, and individual perspectives
• The perception of right and wrong is subjective, varying across societies

Main Features of Ethical Relativism

• Objective, universally applicable moral principles are rejected
• Each culture or society establishes its ethical framework
• Cultural traditions dictate morally acceptable or unacceptable behaviors within a group
• Societal norms and historical contexts shape moral judgements
• Collective beliefs and practices influence ethical standards in a community

Examples of Ethical Relativism

• Arranged marriages are standard in some cultures but seen as violations of autonomy in others
• Some cultures prohibit eating certain animals, while others regularly consume them

Criticisms of Ethical Relativism

• Harmful or unethical practices, such as discrimination, can be justified if culturally accepted
• Critical examination of harmful practices and moral growth are discouraged
• Conflicting moral standards arise in multicultural societies, making conflict resolution difficult

Moral Absolutism

• Universal and unchanging ethical principles exist, regardless of cultural or individual differences

Main Features of Moral Absolutism

• Moral laws apply equally to all individuals, regardless of culture, period, or beliefs
• Right and wrong are objective and unchanging
• Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms or traditions
• Morality is based on fixed principles that transcend cultural beliefs and customs
• Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances

Examples of Moral Absolutism

• All individuals have fundamental rights, regardless of nationality or culture
• Taking another person's life without justification is universally condemned, regardless of context

Criticisms of Moral Absolutism

• Cultural diversity and societal complexity are ignored because it is too inflexible
• Clear answers may not be provided when ethical principles conflict
• Different interpretations and applications may arise, even with universal moral values

Free Will, Moral Responsibility, and Determinism

• Whether humans control actions or external forces predetermine choices is explored

Free Will

• Ability to make choices independently, without external or deterministic control

Main Features of Free Will

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

Examples of Free Will

• Choosing a career based on interests and aspirations
• Returning a lost wallet

Criticisms of Free Will

• Decisions are influenced by genetics, upbringing, and societal norms
• 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, recognizing the impact of decisions and accepting consequences
• Plays a role in ethics, guiding behavior, and societal norms

Main Features of Moral Responsibility

• Ability to make choices with control and freedom
• Accountability for actions, intentional or unintentional
• Intent behind actions affects moral weight
• Must understand potential consequences and ethical implications before deciding
• Must be capable of understanding right from wrong

Examples of Moral Responsibility

• Helping someone in distress demonstrates kindness and empathy

• Apologizing and taking steps to correct accidents

• Parents have a responsibility to teach children right from wrong, and provide for their needs

• It is the moral resonsibility of a corporation that pollutes the environment to minimize harm and protect natural resources

Criticisms of Moral Responsibility

• Determinism challenges true moral responsibility if actions are predetermined
• Moral luck challenges fairness because outcomes depend on factors beyond a person's control
• Mental health and cognitive abilities may reduce responsibility

Determinism

• Prior conditions cause all events, including human actions and cannot occur otherwise

Main Features of Determinism

• Every action is the result of preceding causes and influence outcomes
• Biological, environmental, and social factors influence human behavior
• Free will is questioned because past experiences and external influences shape choices

Examples of Determinism

• Genetic traits and cognitive predispositions may cause a person to excel academically
• Trust issues and aggressive tendencies may develop from trauma

Criticisms of Determinism

• Moral accountability is undermined
• Humand decisions may not be entirely deterministic, but have a blend with some free will
• Personal growth and intervention suggests that individuals can overcome influences

Ethics in Business and Corporate Social Responsibility

• Moral principles guide corporate behavior, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability
• Highlights businesses' responsibilities towards society and the environment, beyond profit

Business Ethics

• Ensures companies operate with integrity and fairness

Main Principles of Business Ethics

• Companies should provide truthful information to stakeholders
• Fair wages, safe conditions, and non-discrimination are essential for employees
• Product safety and avoidance of deceptive marketing
• Corruption and fraud are prevented by ethical leadership and accountability

Examples of Ethical and Unethical Business Practices

• Honest advertising versus misleading claims
• Fair wages versus worker exploitation in sweatshops
• Eco-friendly production versus irresponsible waste disposal

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Focuses on ethical obligations of businesses toward social and environmental well-being

Key Areas of CSR

• Reducing carbon footprints and adopting renewable energy
• Supporting education, healthcare, and job initiatives
• Providing fair labor conditions and respecting workers' rights
• Charities receive a portion of profits

Examples of CSR Initiatives

• Using materials that are biodegradable
• Ensuring suppliers in developing countries have fair compensation

Benefits of Business Ethics and CSR

• Ethical businesses attract loyal customers and improve brand reputation

• Employee satisfaction and productivity increase with fair treatment

• Strong ethical standards encourage investors to support companies

• Companies can achieve sustainable success

• Prioritizing ethics leads to a strong image and long-term success and ethical practices are key to sustainable development.

Environmental Ethics

• Examines ethical principles in environmental protection

Environmental Ethics

• Focuses on the moral relationship between humans and the environment
• Examining sustainability, conservation, and environmental justice

Why Environmental Ethics Matters

• Essential resources such as air, water, and food are provided
• Pollution and climate change result from human activities
• Ethical principles promote responsible actions

Ethical Theories in Environmental Ethics

• Nature is valued only for its usefulness to humans and human superiority is assumed, according to Anthropocentrism
• Governments can allow deforestation to expand cities and boost the economy
• All living things have value, according to Biocentrism
• Wildlife conservation laws protect endangered species, even if they don't have human benefits
• Entire ecosystems are prioritized, according to Ecocentrism
• Mining is banned in protected areas to preserve biodiversity

Environmental Ethics Issues

• Protecting nature and addressing human impact are moral responsibilities

• Clearing forests for agriculture or destroy habitats and reduce biodiversity is deforestation

• Logging companies endangering wildlife and displacing indigenous people in rainforests are examples of deforestation

• Pollution and greenhouse emissions cause global warming

• The effects on vulnerable communities by climate change is an ethical concern

• Rising sea levels flooding coastal cities exemplifies this issue

• Marine life and human health is harmed when dumping waste into water is a concern

• Chemical factories dumping chemicals into rivers that pollutes drinking water is unethical

• Depleting fish populations and disrupting marine ecosystems due to Overfishing is an ethics concern

• Setting tuna fishing limits exemplifies a practice to mitigate overfishing

• Factory farming and poaching is linked Animal Rights abuses

• Wildlife conservation groups defending elephants from poaching is an example of ethical care.

Sustainable Development

• Present needs are met without sacrifing future generations' ability to do so
• Balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being

Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

• Long-term prosperity and well-being is achieved together
• Economic growth doesn't compromise the environment or society, is what Economic Sustainability maintains
• Environmental Sustainability is focused on the protecting natural resources and ecosystems for supporting human needs
• Social Sustainability is focused on promote fairness, equality, and access to essential services, like education and healthcare

Role of Individuals in Sustainable Development

• Waste can be minimized, and promote Reduce, reuse, and recycling
• Reduce using energy and water
• Supporting sustainable businesses and products
• Support the advocacy for the sustainable policies

Sustainable Development in the Philippines

• Economic growth, environmental conservation, and social well-being is balanced

• The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) aligns with the SDGs to promote inclusive growth

• Reforestation, renewable and managing waste are initiatives for the Philippines

• Healthcare, education, and government/private infrastructure are being protected by private sector with the environment in mind

• Better future for all is ensured by the sustainable development

• Each person promotes responsible consumption, environmental conservation, and social equity