Impact Of Religion On Business Ethics

 Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam Buddhism,

Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto...
 These are the world's eight major religions. Each has its
own organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and
worship, and each offers prescriptions for positive
endeavor in both life - and in business.
 Today, most business ethics textbooks present
philosophical - not religious – approaches to business.
 "This may be because in many countries there is a
strongly secularized culture, and religion is considered
irrelevant for business in the public sphere,".
 Yet, it still makes good sense to study business ethics'
religious roots, for many reasons.
 For example, centuries before there was any
philosophical approach to business, religions had already
offered norms of conduct and values to business people.
 Also, many believers want to know how they can
translate their religion's vision into the business
environment.
 Moreover, religious ethics provides a set of consistent
and reasonable statements regarding business.
 It's a different approach that provides new horizons for
thinking.
 Also, in our global world, business means dealing with
people of different religions, and ignoring or
misinterpreting religious ethical approaches can cause
serious problems.
 A deeper knowledge of religious business ethics might
bring about a better understanding of people worldwide.
 It can also facilitate a more intense dialogue between
different religions and between religious and
philosophical approaches.
 Understanding how the world's religions approach
business ethics encourages tolerance and understanding.
 Impact Of Hinduism On Business Ethics
 Hinduism, the first of the five religions based on ancient
Asian cultures, is a cluster of religious traditions that
evolved in India between 3,000 and 1,500 B.C.
 Today, there are about 780 million Hinduism, the first of
the five religions based on ancient Asian cultures, is a
cluster of religious traditions that evolved in India
between 3,000 and 1,500 B.C.
 Today, there are about 780 million followers.
 More than a theological system, Hinduism is an approach
to the universe.
 When it comes to business, we can make two
observations: Hinduism has a positive attitude towards
business and creating wealth, yet wealth is not the
supreme goal.
 Ethics (dharma) and salvation (moksha) are more
important.
 Impact Of Judaism On Business Ethics

 Judaism, which has 15 million adherents, started with

the original Covenant made between God and Abraham
around 1900 B.C.
 The main source for understanding business ethics in
Judaism is the Torah.
 "The legitimacy of business activity and profit, conducted
within a framework of religious and ethical norms, is one
of the guiding principles for business ethics highlighted
in the Jewish tradition.”
 In Judaism, work, including manual work, is held in
great esteem, like a sort of human partnership with the
divine.
 Impact Of Christianity On Business Ethics

 Jesus warns against greed, an excessive anxiety toward

future needs, and in serving money instead of serving
God.
 Human dignity and concern and love for persons are
crucial in Christianity.
 This religion also stresses a sense of justice in business,
such as the strict observance of contracts, observing
regulations and working for the sake of the common
good.
 Impact Of Islam On Business Ethics

 Islam, with more than 1 billion practitioners, is the

second largest religion in the world and growing.
 The history of Islam started with Muhammad, who was
born in Mecca around A.D. 570.
 Muhammad believed in one God, Allah, and recorded his
divine revelations in the Koran.
 Several Islam business scholars agree that a central
concept of the religion is tawhid, or unity with God.
 Life is unified because it provides the practical way to
pattern all facets of human life in accordance with God's
will.
 Business is included and should be run according to the
laws of nature dictated by God.
 Impact Of Buddhism On Business Ethics

 Buddhism, Based On The Teachings Of Siddhartha

Gautama, Called "Buddha" Or "The Enlightened One,"
Began In India Around 560 B.C., And Searches To Find
Relief For Human Suffering.
 In Business, Buddhists Search For The "Right Livelihood"
And Are Generally Against Companies That Do Not Care
For The Environment Or That Abuse Animals.
 Impact Of Confucianism

 Confucianism, one of the three traditional religions of

China, along with Taoism and Buddhism, is based on the
teachings of Confucius during 5th and 6th century B.C.
 Approximately 5 million people practice the religion.
 According to Confucius, "A gentleman takes as much
trouble to discover what is right as lesser men take to
discover what will pay.“
 Profit is acceptable as long as it is acquired with
righteousness.
 Impact Of Taoism On Business Ethics

 Taoism coexists with Confucianism in China.

 It seeks to promote the inner peace of individuals and
harmony with their surroundings.
 "Tao" could be translated as "path" or "the way.“
 It's like a force that flows through life and pervades all
things.
 In business, Taoism encourages companies to nourish
people, and the aim should not be personal success or
gain, but the common good.
 According to "Tao Te Ching", chapter 9, "Fill your bowl to
the brim and it will spill... Do your work, then step back."
 Impact Of Shintoism On Business Ethics

 Shinto, which is inextricably tied to the origin and

development of Japan.
 The word derives from the Chinese words shin tao (the
ways of gods).
 Started in 500 B.C., the religion focuses on the worship
of the kami, a host of supernatural and mysterious
beings (natural deities) that can be known through
forms, such as objects of nature, or abstract creative
forces just as justice or remarkable people.
 In business, Shinto emphasizes benefits for the group,
which is like a family.