2: Ethics from Antiquity to the Present
- Page ID
- 2614
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 2.0: Introduction
- This page discusses the relationship between ethics and law, emphasizing their roles in both personal and professional contexts. It highlights that while laws provide minimal standards, ethics encompass broader principles of behavior. The text also touches on the historical and ongoing importance of trust in business transactions and suggests that ethical systems have evolved alongside legal systems. The page poses a reflective question about personal experiences of ethical conflict.
- 2.1: The Concept of Ethical Business in Ancient Athens
- The text discusses the profound influence of ancient Athens on Western civilization, particularly in the realm of ethics and philosophy. It highlights the importance of ethics in ancient Athenian society and the development of virtue ethics by Aristotle. Aristotelian ethics focused on the idea that a virtuous life leads to human flourishing, which is achieved through reason.
- 2.2: Ethical Advice for Nobles and Civil Servants in Ancient China
- The document outlines the key features of Confucian virtue ethics and discusses its application to contemporary business. Confucius's teachings emphasize relationships, advocating for harmonious governance and social cohesion through virtuous living. The concept of "li" or proper order is central, encouraging ritual acts to maintain balance and order in society.
- 2.3: Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and West
- The section discusses the comparison between Aristotelian and Confucian virtue ethics, both aiming for order through virtues but differing in their focus: Aristotle on individual happiness through truth, and Confucius on social harmony through family. Both emphasize control and self-regulation, affecting managerial ethics in business. Integration of personal and professional ethics is highlighted as essential to prevent ethical failures.
- 2.4: Utilitarianism- The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number
- The section covers utilitarianism, focusing on Jeremy Bentham's original formulation and John Stuart Mill's subsequent modifications. Bentham's utilitarianism is grounded in achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number, emphasizing consequences over motives or character. Mill introduced human rights into utilitarianism, emphasizing individual freedom and the harm principle.
- 2.5: Deontology - Ethics as Duty
- Unlike Bentham and Mill, Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was not concerned with consequences of one’s actions or the harm caused to one’s individual interests. Instead, he focused on motives and the willingness of individuals to act for the good of others, even though that action might result in personal loss. Doing something for the right reason was much more important to Kant than any particular outcome.
- 2.6: A Theory of Justice
- The section discusses John Rawls's theory of justice as fairness, contrasting it with utilitarianism and addressing the issue of redistribution of resources. Rawls's approach emphasizes fairness and justice, relying on Enlightenment ideas and social contract theory. Key concepts include the original position, the veil of ignorance, and unanimity in social agreements.
- 2.7: Summary
- The page provides an overview of various ethical theories and their application to business and society. It covers Aristotle's and Confucius's virtue ethics, highlighting their focus on personal and social virtues for happiness and harmony. The text also discusses Bentham's utilitarianism, which evaluates actions based on outcomes, and Kant's deontology, emphasizing duty and moral intent over consequences.