Nature of Morality
RIGHT
WRONG
Why to study Ethics
Answer all these questions in just yes or
no:
1:You did not help a person who met with an accident in front
of you and was lying on the road waiting for someone to
give him assistance?
2:Have you ever bribed someone for getting your work done?
3:Have you ever discriminated someone because of his caste,
faith, gender or any other thing?
If the answer of any of the above mentioned points is
yes then my friend its time for you to learn ethics:
Origin of the word Ethics
The word ethics comes from a Greek word
“Etho”
Which means character, behavior and
custom.
Different views about Ethics
A few years ago, sociologist Raymond Baum hart asked business
people, “What does ethics mean to you?” Among their replies
were the following:
 Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is
right or wrong.
 Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.
 Being ethical is doing what the law requires.
Definition of Ethics

Ethics: Man is a social animal. Man himself has derived certain principles
to
govern his own individual and group behavior , their basic objective is
always mutual existence and peace . By ensuring security and protection these
standards helps in the survival of the particular
community and thus its members. These
standards of behavior are called “ethics.”

Ethics: Refers to well-based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what
humans ought to do,
usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society . Ethics, for example, refers
to those standards(accepted behaviors) that impose the reasonable obligations to
avoid stealing, murder, assault and fraud.
Definition of Ethics
 Ethics also refers to the study of
“morality”
Morality :refers to the human conduct, which is….
“what is right and what is wrong”……..

Ethicists use the term ethics to refer primarily to the study of morality,
just as chemists use the term chemistry to refer to the study of chemical
substances
Business Ethics

By business ethics we mean the study of right and
wrong (good and bad) human conduct in business.
Examples…….
 would it be right for a store manager to break a promise
to a customer and sell some hard to find merchandize to
someone else.
 Would it be right not to hire a person on the base of
religion, color, nationality etc.
 Promoting a person purely on his competencies.
Importance of business ethics

Good image:
Business conducted on ethical bases enjoy good image.

Balance the needs and wishes of stakeholders:
Business ethics requires businesses to think about the impact of its decisions on
people or stakeholders who are affected by those decisions.

Employee Retention: A successful Business Ethics program establishes
a culture where fair rewards system prevails.

Setting the Example :Ethical Business Practices
points out that businesses demonstrating the highest ethical
standards are also the most profitable and successful.
Origin of Moral Standards
During childhood moral standards are
absorbed from family, friends and various
societal institutions. Later in life
experiences, learning and intellectual
development help a person in forming
these standards……………………….
Moral Vs Non moral
standards
In a business context moral standards would
be…..
 Whether products are harmful or healthful.
 Work conditions are safe or dangerous.
 Personnel procedures biased or fair.
Moral Vs Non moral
standards
 Non moral standards:
Non moral standards are
what falls outside the sphere
of moral standards
or
Non moral standards: are
those conducts or actions
that is not of
serious consequences.
Moral Vs Non moral
standards
Examples….
 Wearing shorts to a formal dinner party is non moral
conduct.
 Coming in informal dress to office is also a non moral
behavior.
 Attending calls during a meeting is also a non moral
act.