If Aristotle Ran General Motors by Tom Morris explores four profound but simple foundations that are universally accessible, pervasively applicable and incredibly effective. Morris draws from philosophers of the centuries, from Plato to Aristotle to the present day, for insight that is applicable to both business and personal life.
Foundations
While, this paper will focus on Chapter 7 The Moral Dimension at Work and Chapter 8 The Challenge of Ethical Action, which relate to the topic of Goodness, I will provide a brief review of the origin and reason behind the book. Tom Morris studied business administration, since he came from business-oriented family; however, he was interested in philosophy for deeper understanding of human nature. He …show more content…
Human beings, all strive to be good or ethical in their thoughts and actions at work and at home. However, there is a misunderstood belief that ethics are rules that must be followed to stay out of trouble. This is not the case, ethics or goodness, is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. By viewing moral behavior as a set of rules, one can look for the loopholes to achieve personal goals or gains (Morris, 1997).
Individuals can be challenged to act ethically or morally, as because doing the right thing is not always the easy option. They may find themselves faced with pressures to produce certain profits that cause them to set aside goodness. Self-centered thinking and peer pressure can factor in the challenges in the workplace. Human beings have an inner guide that knows the right thing to do in each situation, including the business world. For some, the ability to act ethically is a simple choice but for others it is a difficult task (Pastin 2013). A few major companies have found themselves in this situation, including Wells Fargo, Enron and Countrywide. In these situations, the company did not commit the acts, the individuals made unethical decisions regarding their actions, which disgraced the company. These individuals can be a lower level employee or the company executive since ethical challenges are at every …show more content…
Pressures that may be encountered include peer pressure, desire to fit in and fear of confrontation. The price for compromising personal ethics is the guilt and possible negative outcomes far outweigh the pressures. Companies are made of people that make the decisions and people are a reflection or representation of their employer. An unethical person making the decision drives companies that behave unethically. Conversely, ethical people drive ethical companies. These decisions are made through an ethical decision making process that first filters the problem through the decision maker’s personal ethics and values. This person will consider the problem and feasible options and reactions and make a thought-out decision with the values intact. Philosophers have long agreed that we need rules in ethical decision-making but it is more than just compliance. Rules imply that there are loopholes or opportunities to bend them to conform to the desire of the individual or company. Ethical decision making is living with goodness in all of our actions and
Foundations
While, this paper will focus on Chapter 7 The Moral Dimension at Work and Chapter 8 The Challenge of Ethical Action, which relate to the topic of Goodness, I will provide a brief review of the origin and reason behind the book. Tom Morris studied business administration, since he came from business-oriented family; however, he was interested in philosophy for deeper understanding of human nature. He …show more content…
Human beings, all strive to be good or ethical in their thoughts and actions at work and at home. However, there is a misunderstood belief that ethics are rules that must be followed to stay out of trouble. This is not the case, ethics or goodness, is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. By viewing moral behavior as a set of rules, one can look for the loopholes to achieve personal goals or gains (Morris, 1997).
Individuals can be challenged to act ethically or morally, as because doing the right thing is not always the easy option. They may find themselves faced with pressures to produce certain profits that cause them to set aside goodness. Self-centered thinking and peer pressure can factor in the challenges in the workplace. Human beings have an inner guide that knows the right thing to do in each situation, including the business world. For some, the ability to act ethically is a simple choice but for others it is a difficult task (Pastin 2013). A few major companies have found themselves in this situation, including Wells Fargo, Enron and Countrywide. In these situations, the company did not commit the acts, the individuals made unethical decisions regarding their actions, which disgraced the company. These individuals can be a lower level employee or the company executive since ethical challenges are at every …show more content…
Pressures that may be encountered include peer pressure, desire to fit in and fear of confrontation. The price for compromising personal ethics is the guilt and possible negative outcomes far outweigh the pressures. Companies are made of people that make the decisions and people are a reflection or representation of their employer. An unethical person making the decision drives companies that behave unethically. Conversely, ethical people drive ethical companies. These decisions are made through an ethical decision making process that first filters the problem through the decision maker’s personal ethics and values. This person will consider the problem and feasible options and reactions and make a thought-out decision with the values intact. Philosophers have long agreed that we need rules in ethical decision-making but it is more than just compliance. Rules imply that there are loopholes or opportunities to bend them to conform to the desire of the individual or company. Ethical decision making is living with goodness in all of our actions and