1

And

whenever there comes a

Surah, some of them say, which
of you has had his faith
increased by it? As for those who
believe, it has increased their
faith, and they rejoice.
9:124

 There

is no revenge so
complete as forgiveness
Josh Billings

The

weak can never

forgive. Forgiveness is the
attribute of the strong.
Mohandas Gandhi

 The

only way to have a friend

is to be one. Ralph
Waldo Emerson

would rather live my life as if

there is a God and die to find out
there isn't, than live my life as if
there isn't and die to find out
there is. Albert Camus

Absolutism vs. Relativism

Ethical Absolutism:
What is right or wrong is consistent in all
places or circumstances. There are
universally valid moral principles.
Opinions alter, manners change, creeds rise
and fall, but the moral law is written on the
tablets of eternity.
James A. Forude

Absolutism vs. Relativism

Ethical Relativism
(also called Situational Ethics):
What is right or wrong varies according to the
individual/society/culture or set of
circumstances. There are no universally valid
moral principles.

Relativism

As R.H. Popkin describes relativism in his article on the

subject in The Encyclopedia of Religion, views are to be
evaluated relative to the societies or cultures in which
they appear and are not to be judged true or false, or
good or bad, based on some overall criterion but are to
be assessed within the context in which they occur.
Thus, what is right or good or true to one person or
group, may not be considered so by others there are
no absolute standards Man is the measure of all
things (quoting the Greek philosopher Protagoras (481420, B.C.), and each man could be his own measure
[Relativism] urges suspension of judgment about right
and wrong.

Relativism
As

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said,

Relativism is presented as a position
defined positively by the concepts of
tolerance and knowledge through
dialogue and freedom, concepts which
would be limited if the existence of one
valid truth for all were affirmed.

Absolutism vs. Relativism

Survey

According to a recent poll of college seniors,

73% agreed with the statement that What is
right or wrong depends on differences in
individual values and cultural diversity. Only
25% agreed with the statement that There are
clear and uniform standards of right and wrong
by which everyone should be judged."

Problems with Relativism

Relativism undermines moral criticism of practices of
particular individuals or in particular societies where
those practices conform to their own standards. For
instance, it could be used to permit slavery in a slave
society or it could be used to justify trade and
investment with basically evil regimes, e.g. Apartheid
governments.
But, as Cardinal Ratzinger said, There are injustices
that will never turn into just things (for example, killing an
innocent person, denying an individual or groups the
right to their dignity or to life corresponding to that
dignity) while, on the other hand, there are just things
that can never be unjust.

Problems with Relativism

Relativists never need bother to examine why
something is moral or immoral, they merely
accept/tolerate alternative determinations, so that
none are held to account
Over the years I have found that those who call
themselves atheists actually have a strong sense of
the absolute truth they know exists. They just dont
want to acknowledge that its true - because if they
did, they would have to change the way they live.
They flee on moral grounds; refusing to submit
themselves, they exchange the truth for a lie. Chuck Colson -Being the Body, 2003.

Problems with Relativism

Commenting on the idea that legal reforms

can compel corporate morality, Michael
Prowse, in the Financial Times, stated that
"The underlying problem is that we are living
in times that might aptly be called 'postethical.'" People are now amotivists," who
relativize moral judgments and "obey the law,
help others and respect customs and mores
only if they calculate that this will benefit them
personally in some way. ... The root problem
is a loss of belief in objective ethical
standards.

Absolutism vs. Relativism

Most ethicists reject the theory of
ethical relativism. Some claim that
while the moral practices of
societies may differ, the
fundamental moral principles
underlying these practices do not.

MORAL ETHICS DECISION MAKING

FRAMEWORK
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

Who all are the people affected by the

action?
Is the action beneficial to me?
Is the action supported by my social group?
Is the action supported by my national laws?
Is the action for the greatest good of the
greatest number of people affected by it?
Are the motives behind the action based on
truthfulness and respect/integrity towards
each stakeholders?
Q 2-6 , Each represent
one of five ethical
theories

ETHICS THEORIES

EGOISM

How does the action relate

to me? If the action furthers
my interests, it is right. If it
conflicts with my interests it
is wrong.

Basic Postulates
"Each

of us is intimately familiar with our own

individual wants and needs. Moreover, each
of us is uniquely placed to pursue those
wants and needs effectively. At the same
time, we know the desires and needs of
others only imperfectly, and we are not well
situated to pursue them. Therefore, it is
reasonable to believe that if we set out to be
'our brother's keeper,' we would often bungle
the job and end up doing more mischief than
good.

Basic Postulates
To

pursue actively the interests of others is

to be officious. We should mind our own
business and allow others to mind theirs.
To give charity to someone is to degrade
him, implying as it does that he is reliant on
such munificence and quite unable to look
out for himself. "That," reckons Rachels, "is
why the recipients of 'charity' are so often
resentful rather than appreciative.

Basic Postulates
Altruism, ultimately, denies an individual value
and is therefore destructive both to society and its
individual components, viewing life merely as a
thing to be sacrificed. Altruism means mans first
concern is not how to live his life but how to
sacrifice it. The purpose of morality is to teach
you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself
and live.
All of our commonly accepted moral duties, from
doing no harm unto others to speaking always the
truth to keeping promises, are rooted in the one
fundamental principle of self-interest.

Basic Postulates
According to Adam Smith it is morally
acceptable theory as long as pursuit of self
interest does not collapse into selfishness.
Rand says, the best thing for the common
good is to become an individual of high
integrity willing to pursue ones self interest
at all costs.

Criticism

One cannot recommend personal ethical egoism

to others because such a recommendation
would be against ones own self-interest.
Not suitable for highly politicized organizations
with scarce resources.
Whose interests matter the most when there is
conflict?
To do what is in one's best interests can be both
wrong and right in ethical terms.
Provides no moral basis for the resolution of
conflicts of interest.

Social Group Relativism

How does the action relate to my social group
(peer, friends etc,)? If the action conforms
with the social group norms, it is right. If it is
contrary to the social groups norms, it is
wrong.
A higher stage of moral reasoning than
egoism.
Social group relativists are concerned what
their social group (other managers, industry
councils, professional associations) think
about an issue.

Criticism

One cannot recommend personal ethical egoism

to others because such a recommendation
would be against ones own self-interest.
Not suitable for highly politicized organizations
with scarce resources.
Whose interests matter the most when there is
conflict?
To do what is in one's best interests can be both
wrong and right in ethical terms.
Provides no moral basis for the resolution of
conflicts of interest.
Only need to replace the
word personal with social
group

Cultural Relativism
How does the action relate to my national
culture, particularly the law? If the action
conforms with the law it is right. If it is
contrary to the law it is wrong.
A higher stage of moral reasoning than social
group relativism.
Cultural relativist considers himself as a
member of larger society that has some
common interests.
They are more concerned about national laws.

Criticism
Laws cannot ensure interests of all
individuals, social groups or cultural groups.
Laws need change/evolution.

Utilitarianism
How

does the action relate to every one who is affected by

it? If it is beneficial to the majority, then it is right. If it is
detrimental to the majority of the people then it is wrong.
A higher stage of moral reasoning than cultural relativism.
Ethics of capitalism is based on utilitarianism.
Everyone counts equal under utilitarianism.
in case of scarce resource, it will be given as per the best
interest of organization.
In case of conflict voting.
Problem will arise if some group is in majority.

Deontology

How does the action relate to my duty to treat

others in the way that I would want to be
treated. Does it treat every person truthfully
and with integrity? If it does then it is right. If it
does not then it is wrong.
Respect all stakeholders. Not majority but every
person is treated fairly.
Emphasize motives behind action and individual
rights, rather than consequences.
Follow moral rules, such as ten commandments,
Quranic instructions and the golden rule etc.

Deontology
Always be honest, keep promises, provide
mutual aid when needed and respect
people and property
Embody moral qualities of saint.

Criticism
Not always achievable, practical or
desirable.
For example when limited resources
employees must choose whether to give
preferential service to largest revenue
generating customer or give all customers an
equal amount of inadequate service (80/20
rule)

Ten Ethical Hazard Approaching

Signs
Beware when someone says
It is ethical. If it is legal and permissible
It is ethical. If it is necessary.
It is ethical. If it is just part of the job.
It is ethical. If it is all for a good cause.
It is ethical. If I am just doing it for you
It is ethical. If I am just fighting fire with fire.
It is ethical. If it does not hurt anyone.
It is ethical. If every one else is doing it.
It is ethical. If I dont gain personally.
It is ethical. If I have got it coming.

Choosing an Ethical Theory

for Your Business
you dont have to choose just one. no one
theory works in every business, or even in
every area of the same business.
Each ethical theory has its own strengths
and weaknesses.
Kantian theory, which demands that you
respect people as independent agents,
works well when youre dealing with human
resource issues.

Choosing an Ethical Theory

for Your Business
Utilitarianism, which promotes the greatest
good for everyone involved, works well in
determining how to treat the environment.
Virtue ethical theories are ideal for
discussing the character of an ethical leader
or ethical employee.

Persuading Others
All managers may not believe in one theory
Need to talk to opposing managers in the
language of their theory
If consensus not developed, the decision
maker can decide unilaterally and every one
would understand the ethical reasoning

THANK YOU VERY

MUCH FOR YOUR
PATIENT HEARING.
ANY QUESTION?
GOOD LUCK AND GOD
BLESS YOU ALL