ETHICS IN MANAGEMENT

THE ESSENCE, MYTHS

Prof. Tadeusz Oleksyn, 2020

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Concentration and activity in class are expected
My cat Morpheus, photo T. Oleksyn

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Management doesn't have to be war

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Although wars do happen …

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 Ethics - definitions

Ethics - A term of Greek origin which has two meanings:

(1) the general state of morality, norm and standards in it, functioning in a
certain epoch / term and society / local community ;
(2) the field of philosophy (philosophy of morality), regarding with
good and evil, moral duty, conscience, what is acceptable
and what not.

We have ethics:
- general and detailed
- normative and descriptive
- social and individual;
- methaetics

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 Normative and descriptive ethics
Normative ethics defines what is right and wrong, and why . Normative ethics includes:
- axiology / theory of value – theory of moral goods and the highest good;
- deontology,
deontology, i.e. the ethics of duty; it sets moral obligations and their limits
and also what determines the moral value of an act (intentions, effects,
measure,
measure, measure austerities, etc.).

Descriptive ethics (ethology) – there are the analysis, description and explanation of what was considered ethical or not
at a specific time,
time, specific place and in concrete community.
community. Ethology research too evolution of ethics.

Methaethics – methodology of ethical

 sciences, in it structure and meaning of
 ethical terms, values and norms.

The cat Morpheus, photo T. Oleksyn

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 SOURCES AND INSPIRATIONS OF ETHICS

 There are two main sources of ethics and ethical behaviors: religious and
secular.
 Religious sources are the holly books of great religions, where there are
written God’s commandments regarding the right attitudes and behavior of
people in mutual relations. These are:
- for Christians (2,4 bln believers) - the Bible
- for Muslims (1,7 bln. believers) – the Koran
- for Hinduists ( 950 mln believers) Wedas,
Bhagavad Gita)
- for Buddists (450 ml. adepts), Budda’s
teaching (teachings written by his students).
 Moreover, religiously motivated ethical principles
are promoted by clergy on the basis of documents
and traditions important for each religion. In the
Catholic Church, these are in particular the Catechism of the Catholic
Church and the Social Teachings of the Church.

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 SOURCES AND INSPIRATIONS OF ETHICS (2)

 Non-religious sources of ethics are:

- empathy that is characteristic not only by people, but also by many
higher organized animals;
- mind, intelectual speculations and instinct;
- historical experiences and human messages;
- literature and art;
- social sciences;
- social agreement, law and good customs.

 Different sources are connect with each other. This gives a synergy
effect. In our cultural circle, ancient Greek ethics is combined with
Christian ethics, although they have different orientations: The Greeks
wanted wisdom and dignity, Christians wanted their souls and other
people's souls saved.

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 MYTHS ABOUT ETHICS
C. McNamara, T. Oleksyn

 Myth 1: Ethics isn’t especially important

The importance of ethics is very clear when something very bad happens.
Then suddenly it turns out that nothing is more important!

Please give some examples!

Mit 2: Ethics is boring

Ethical issues are often complex and can be intellectually exciting. In addition,
ethical topics touch people. It is not boring for them.

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 MYTHS ABOUT ETHICS (2)

 Myth 3: Ethics is unnecessary; it only confirms

the obvious that one must do good.

It just ethics and the related experiences allow us to define what is good
and what no.

 Myth 4: Ethics is a sermon by good people to bad

people.

Ethics is not a sermon, but an expensive experience

 Myth 5. Management ethics is a modern variety of personnel policy.

 Relations between personnel policy and ethics are important but completely different.

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 MYTHS ABOUT ETHICS (3)

► Myth 6: Ethics cannot be managed

Ethics can and must be managed - although it isn’t easy. It requires knowledge,
culture, sensitivity and often also civil courage.

► Myth 7: Our organization has no problems with the law, so we are

ethical.

You can be unethical without breaking the law. On the other hand, with unethical
employees, it is often only a matter of time when the law will be breached
.
► Myth 8: Our employees are ethical, so we don't need to pay
attention ethical problems.

More ethical workers today may be less ethical tomorrow. Ethics should also be
future-oriented.

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