Belief Systems Relating To Business Practices

 Animism
Animism is a philosophy backed up by practice; it is a way of life and a way of thought.
Animism is your personal relationship with nature and with the inhuman spirits who inhabit and
compose nature. It is a relationship of respect and value for all things and all beings, visible and
invisible. All life is sacred and sentient, even those outside of your current definition of life and
even those regarded as malevolent. Within a balanced ecosystem, all life serves a purpose– even
those who may seem like the villain at first glance. Animism is the hands-on spirit work of
building an awareness of and relationship with the spirits of plants, trees, fungi, animals, insects,
waters, forests, mountains, plains, deserts, elemental forces, and the spirits of the dead buried
under your feet. When you live within nature you realize you are a part of it, not separate from it.
It becomes important to know as much about your surroundings as possible because your
survival depends on your knowledge of and respectful treatment of the land, plants, and animals
around you.
 Shinto
Shinto ethics start from the basic idea that human beings are good, and that the world is good.
Evil enters the world from outside, brought by evil spirits. These affect human beings in a similar
way to disease, and reduce their ability to resist temptation. When human beings act wrongly,
they bring pollution and sin upon themselves, which obstructs the flow of life and blessing from
the kami.
 Hinduism
In India you are likely to encounter two types of companies. The first is a traditional, family-run
business, the second being a more modern hi-tech operation working with western business
methodology.
Being the boss usually means ‘the boss’ in India. As the boss you are expected to ‘play the part.’
Senior managers are not expected to engage in work which could be done by somebody lower
down the organisation.
Most decisions are made at the top of an organisation and it can be a waste of time negotiating at
the middle levels of a company if top level approval has not already been given.
Working hours in India usually start from 10am. However, some companies in large cities such
as Mumbai are known to start as early as 7.30am. This is an attempt to avoid congestion.
 Judaism
Judaism, which relies on the Torah for its written law, has had a great impact on marketing and
business. The Torah is replete with precepts dealing with business, and the Talmud, the source of
Jewish oral law, elaborates and expands Torah law. The process is ongoing and rabbinical
authorities today build on the decisions of their predecessors to apply Jewish law to modern
problems. Some of the issues examined in this paper include: honesty in the marketplace, fair
pricing, employer-employee relations, and environmental issues. Jewish law is not only
concerned with practical legal advice but in encouraging individuals to go beyond the
requirements of the law and practice the “way of the pious.” Judaism does not have a negative
attitude towards business and wealth — indeed, most of the Talmudic sages had occupations and
some were quite wealthy — but riches must be acquired honestly and used to help the poor, the
needy, and the stranger.
 Buddhism
The Buddhist business code and professional ethics are closely tied with respect for environment.
Essentially, according to Buddhist teachings, ethical and moral principles are run by examining a
certain action, which has to avoid any harm. Therefore some Buddhist texts emphasise on the
role of enlightenment - one of the elements which prohibits occupations associated with violence
(such as arms dealing).
 Confucianism
 Confucius fought against the concept of a feudal society, seeking a way to structure society so
that positions of responsibility were occupied by the “superior moral man.” A revolutionary idea,
both in his and our times.
In Confucianism, both the man and the society in which he lives are a small part of the universe.
The universe is immersed in order, in a harmony. Any attempt to break this harmony creates
troubles; at this point coincide with Taoism. Somehow, this concept creates a sense of
predestination.
 Taoism
Taoism’s approach to ethics is not designed to preach morality or virtue to others. Taoists do
not tell others how to live their lives. However, they believe that each person must stop seeing
themselves as separate, and become of one mind with the community (Kohn, 2004, p.103). This
attitude requires directing one’s attention away from self and focusing on the welfare of the
community. The harmony of the community is of primary importance, because the Taoist
believes the community is a microcosm of the cosmos. If the cosmos is unified and balanced, the
community should be a reflection of the cosmos. This concept corresponds to the Hermetic
axiom - “as above, so below”. It underlines the Taoist’s belief in an essential unity between the
macrocosm and the microcosm.
 Christianity
In Christianity, the basis of this theology is the Old Testament and the New Testament. The
Christian in commerce should not desire “to get another’s goods or labor for less than it is worth.” One
must not try to obtain a good price for his own wares by extortion. If one is buying from the poor,
“charity must be exercised as well as justice;” purchaser must pay the full price that the goods are worth
to him. Moreover, purchaser shouldn’t admit suffering of the vendor because he cannot stand out for his
price, but vendor should offer a loan or persuade someone else to do
so.                                                       

 Islam
For Islam, the basis of these laws is the Qur'an. Islamic teachings strongly stress on
observance of ethical and moral code in human behaviour. Muslim ethics include
avoidance of people’s exploitation through lending them money at interest and
prohibitions against false advertising. Under Islamic Laws, if a vendor sells an item by
making false claims about it, customer has the right to have the transaction cancelled.