WEEK 5

(Philosophical Foundations of Business Ethics)

CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

1. Hinduism – The oldest among the major religions of the world, the word ‘Hindu’ is
derived from the name Sindhu, which means the people of the Indus River region of northern
India (Cortez, 2016). Hinduism is a unique Religion; it has neither a single or specific human
founder nor a definite historical beginning. A religion without a unified body of belief
systems, ethical codes, absolute doctrines, religious rituals, and practices.

2. Buddhism – It originated from India. Buddhists believe in the law of karma, in

reincarnation, and in the goal of attaining liberation and nirvana. Nowadays, Buddhism is the
dominant religion in China (Cortez, 2016). Siddharta Gautama (566-486 BCE), a rich and
young prince who renounced his royal inheritance to search for the true meaning of life is the
founder of Buddhism. Buddhists Though living a basic life, they believe in a deep principle.
Most of them spend their lives praying in the monastery and attend the sick people and
animals.

3. Confucianism – This is not a religion but more of a body of philosophical teachings.

Considered as an ethical system and mainly seen as a way of life. Currently, it is widely
practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore and believed to have a great impact
on the economic development of the said countries (Cortez, 2016).

Confucius (551 -479 BCE) is considered as one of the most influential thinkers in the history
of humanity and is the founder of humanity. Confucian ethics reminds us that if the sole goal
of business activities is profit making or wealth accumulation, that would run afoul of
Confucian doctrine.

4. Judaism – It is the oldest among the major monotheistic religions. Jews share some
similarities with other Christians like Jewish people celebrate Passover wherein the different
Christian religions practice the holiday (Cortez, 2016).

5. Christianity – The world’s largest religion, Christianity has many sects and
denominations. In this are religions such as Roman Catholicism, Protestantism,
Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodox, and others. The bible is one of the most important sources of
guidance for the Christians in the conduct of good business. Roman Catholic church is the
largest Christian church in the world. It is distinguished by its celebration of the seven
sacraments (Cortez, 2016).

6. Islam – It was founded in the year 610 when Muhammad Islam’s Holy Prophet was
believed to have received revelations from Allah. The Quran, Islam’s holy book, contains the
record of Allah’s revelations to Muhammad. Islam literally means “submission” and it
pertains to “submission to God”. Islam’s followers are called Muslims. Muslim means “one
who submits or surrender” and Muhammad was the first Muslim who submits to Allah. It is

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the world’s second largest religion next to Christianity and Mosque is Muslim’s people
worshiping place (Cortez, 2016).

ACTIVITY 1

Directions: Let’s continue. Check your knowledge about the different belief systems. Choose
the letter of the best answer.

1. It is the oldest among the major religions of the world.

A. Buddhism B. Christianity C. Confucianism D. Hinduism

2. It originated from India and can also be understood as a reaction against the complex rituals
and the caste system of Hinduism.

A. Buddhism B. Confucianism C. Hinduism D. Judaism

3. It is the world’s largest religion.

A. Christianity B. Judaism C. Protestantism D. Roman Catholicism

4. This is more of a body of philosophical teachings and not a religion. It is considered also as
an ethical system and mainly seen as a way of life.

A. Christianity B. Confucianism C. Judaism D. Hinduism

5. It is the world’s second largest religion next to Christianity. Statistics show hat this is the
world’s fastest growing religion, and more people are converted very day to this religion.

A. Buddhism C. Christianity C. Islam D. Judaism

6. It is the worshiping place for the Muslim people

A. Building B. Mosque C. Room D. Qur’an

7. It is the largest Christian church in the world

A. Buddhism B. Mosque C. Muslim D. Roman Catholic church

8. It is the oldest among the major monotheistic religions.

A. Buddhism B. Hinduism C. Islam D. Judaism

9. He is the founder of the principles of Confucianism. Considered as one of the most
influential thinkers in the history of humanity.

A. Buddhist B. Confucius C. Jews D. Muslim

9. These people live a simplistic life, yet they believe in a profound principle.

A. Buddhism B. Christianity C. Islam D. Judaism

Activity 2

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Identification

Directions: Read each statement below and identify the type of belief system being observed
in each business practice.

1. A bookstore is selling copies of the Bible.

2. Business owners lay down specific guidelines to rule business ethics, which
are directed firstly by the idea of halal which means lawful or permitted and
by haram which means unlawful or prohibited.

3. Prayer beads, statues and lucky figurines are being offered in different stores.

4. The business owners find ways to give back to the community and offer goods and services
to help and serve the people and not just to gain practice.

5. Ramadan is a fasting season for ______ people.

Activity 3

Directions: Below are some examples of religious practices in business. Check

column A if you agree if such religious belief affects the business practice and
column B if you disagree.

Situation A B
(Agree) (Disagree)

1. Prayer breaks for Muslim employees

2. Requests for custom holidays

3. A religious procession dance performed during fiesta in

different places.

4. Believing in superstitions and myths

5. Differences in dressing

Activity 4

Let’s talk more!

1. After discussing the relationship between religion and business, do you agree that religion
and business are two congruent areas? Explain your answer.

2. Give at least two specific implications of Islam on the conduct of business.

3. Despite many differences with regards to beliefs, rituals, and practices of major religions,
can we still find team spirit among their ethical values in relation to the conduct of business?

4. For Muslim people, drinking alcohol is “haram” or unlawful, but it does not

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prevent Muslim merchants from selling and making money. How do Muslim people deal with
the issue?

5.Cite observable business practices in your locality that are affected by specific belief
systems.

WEEK 6
The impact of belief systems (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, etc.)

Let’s talk!

“Good morals and values start at home and a uniform won’t change that”-Jamie
Sawyer

The Filipino value system is a set of values or the value system that most Filipinos have
traditionally held important in their lives (Siquete, 2016). Felipe Landa Jocano, in his book
Filipino Value System (1997) translated “value” into Filipino as “kagandahan” and
“pamantayan'' (Cortez, 2016). Value is something positive and desirable. Some examples of
the Filipino value system in the practice of business relations are:

1. Damdamin – one of the important values for Filipinos. Explained into English as “emotion
or feeling’

2. Bahala na – another Filipino value which is negative in meaning as it means that a Filipino
simply leaves everything to chance.

3. Dangal – one of the important values which is translated into English as “honor, dignity, or
reputation.” The idea of dangal consists of knowing what is morally right, morally good, and
acting in a way that is morally desirable.

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4. Pakikipagkapwa – a Filipino value which means belonging to a different group.

5. Family orientation- in the Philippines, Filipinos put emphasis on the value of the family
and being close to every member of the family.

6. Utang na loob – it means showing a sense of duty to repay other people who helped
someone.

7. Respect for elders – a Filipino value that shows courtesy by words or actions.

8. Value – this term can be translated into Filipino as ‘kahalagahan” and ”pamantayan”.
Kahalagahan refers to merit, significance, and worth.

9. Hospitality – this Filipino value shows a friendly acceptance between guest and the host.

10. God-fearing – a Filipino value that entails families to go to the church together and pray
together despite being in different religious groups.

Activity 1
Directions: Check your knowledge about the different values of Filipinos. Choose the word
or phrase that is being described by the items below.
value
Dangal
bahala na
hospitality
Debt of gratitude
(utang na loob)
damdamin God-fearing
pakikipagkapwa family
orientation
Respect for elders

1. The term ______ can be translated into Filipino as “kahalagahan” and “pamantayan.”

2. ________ is one of the Filipinos’ important values that expresses the moral need of the
system. This represents pride and nobility.

3. According to Jokano (1997), ______ is also one of the Filipino values that has three
meanings. First of which is the negative connotation that a Filipino simply leaves everything
to chance.

4. Another important value for Filipinos that refers to feelings or emotions is _____.

5. It is a Filipino value wherein families go to the church and pray together.

6. It is another important value for Filipinos which refers to interaction with other people and
belongingness to a different group.

7. This refers to a friendly acceptance between guest and the host where the host entertains
the guest while staying in the place.

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8. This refers to a Filipino value that puts high importance to close family ties before anything
else.

9. One of the Filipino values which shows a sense of duty to repay other people who helped
them once, twice, and/or several times.

10. This is a Filipino value that shows politeness through the use of “po and opo” and
“pagmamano” or putting the hand of an elder on your forehead.

Activity 2
Demonstrate the Typical Filipino Values

Directions: You are an HR Manager of a well-established foreign company in the Philippines.

Your task is to orient the newly hired employees to the ethical practices in the Philippines.
Part of your presentation is to highlight the Filipino values. Also, your goal is to make a very
good impression to show that the company where you are connected will do better in the
country.

Guide Questions:

1. Think of at least three Filipino values that you like most to discuss.
2. How can the three Filipino values that you like most can truly help when applied to
business?
3. Do you find Filipino values positive or negative as applied in business practices?
4. Does “utang na loob or debt of gratitude” have a positive impact in business practices?
5. What Filipino values do you think will help you succeed economically?

Activity 3
Directions: Below are some examples of Filipino values. Check column A if you
agree that such Filipino values can help in uplifting the miserable condition of most
Filipinos. Check column B if you disagree, and justify your answer in Column C.

Situation A. AGREE B. DISAGR C. WHY/

EE WHY NOT
1.Hospitality

2. Utang na loob) Debt of gratitude)

3. Family orientation

4. Bahala na

4. Pakikipagkapwa

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Activity 4
Let’s talk more!

Give at least three (3) Filipino values that are commonly practiced in business and how these
values affect the attitudes of business constituents?