There are many practical reasons to practice honesty. It requires far
less effort to be truthful than to be deceitful, and in the long term
the risks are fewer and the rewards greater. But in today’s complex
society, the boundaries of acceptable behavior have been blurred until
they are sometimes indistinguishable. Laws and codes of ethics establish
minimum standards of behavior. Make sure you establish standards for
yourself that exceed such minimums, a standard below which you will not
allow yourself to fall, regardless of what others may do or say. Your
own set of standards will allow you to decide quickly and easily upon an
appropriate course of action when faced with a difficult problem.
persevere in the face of great odds.
Supplementary Information:
What Is Ethical?
Moral drift is also apparent in the business sector. Two decades ago, only 39 percent of college freshmen surveyed thought that “financial success was important or essential.” By 1989 the figure virtually doubled. Clearly, making money dominates the thinking of many young people—with alarming moral consequences.
When 1,093 high school (secondary school) seniors were surveyed, 59 percent said they would be willing to negotiate an illegal deal worth ten million dollars—even at the risk of six months of probation! Further, 67 percent said they would pad a business expense account; 66 percent said they would lie to achieve a business objective. Yet, youths are merely responding to the ethical tone set by their elders. When 671 business managers were asked their view of business ethics, nearly a quarter contended that ethics can impede their quest for a successful career. More than half admitted to bending the rules to get ahead.
In an attempt to stem this disturbing trend, some colleges offer courses on ethics. But many are skeptical as to the effectiveness of such efforts. “I just don’t see how ethics classes are going to help,” stated one prominent Canadian businessman. “Students with sound values won’t learn much that is new to them, and the students who don’t have integrity to begin with may just use the insights they gain to find another way of dealing with immoral acts they are going to commit anyway.”
Along similar lines, many businesses have established official codes of ethics. Experts claim, though, that such codes are mere window dressing and are rarely given much attention—except in the wake of a damaging scandal. Ironically, a recent survey revealed that firms with written codes of ethics were charged with unethical conduct more frequently than firms without them!
Yes, on all fronts morals are clearly adrift, and no one seems to know where they are heading. Says one business executive: “The landmarks that told us right from wrong aren’t there anymore. They’ve been hammered away.” Why have such moral landmarks vanished? What is replacing them?
Supplementary Information:
What Is Ethical?
Moral drift is also apparent in the business sector. Two decades ago, only 39 percent of college freshmen surveyed thought that “financial success was important or essential.” By 1989 the figure virtually doubled. Clearly, making money dominates the thinking of many young people—with alarming moral consequences.
When 1,093 high school (secondary school) seniors were surveyed, 59 percent said they would be willing to negotiate an illegal deal worth ten million dollars—even at the risk of six months of probation! Further, 67 percent said they would pad a business expense account; 66 percent said they would lie to achieve a business objective. Yet, youths are merely responding to the ethical tone set by their elders. When 671 business managers were asked their view of business ethics, nearly a quarter contended that ethics can impede their quest for a successful career. More than half admitted to bending the rules to get ahead.
In an attempt to stem this disturbing trend, some colleges offer courses on ethics. But many are skeptical as to the effectiveness of such efforts. “I just don’t see how ethics classes are going to help,” stated one prominent Canadian businessman. “Students with sound values won’t learn much that is new to them, and the students who don’t have integrity to begin with may just use the insights they gain to find another way of dealing with immoral acts they are going to commit anyway.”
Along similar lines, many businesses have established official codes of ethics. Experts claim, though, that such codes are mere window dressing and are rarely given much attention—except in the wake of a damaging scandal. Ironically, a recent survey revealed that firms with written codes of ethics were charged with unethical conduct more frequently than firms without them!
Yes, on all fronts morals are clearly adrift, and no one seems to know where they are heading. Says one business executive: “The landmarks that told us right from wrong aren’t there anymore. They’ve been hammered away.” Why have such moral landmarks vanished? What is replacing them?
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