BUSINESS ETHICS

and SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY

Charisma F. Soriano
Teacher II
REVIEW!

W ho are the philosophers that we

discussed yesterday and how their
philosophies reflects in business
practices.
In truth, ethics is something different. T he very concept of
ethics suggests that there is a real distinction between
good and bad, and that is our obligation to do our best to
distinguish between these and then always try to do
what is right.
BUSINESS ETHICS and SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
 identify the classical philosophers
LEARNING 01 and their philosophies (Socrates,
Plato and Aristotle);

OBJECTIVES 02
relate the topic in real life
experiences;
at the end of the lesson, the learner is
expected to:
recognize the importance of
03 knowing how each philosophy
reflects into business
practices; and

compare and contrast classical

philosophies as they relate to
04 the business settings.
IMMANUEL KANT :
Duty - Based Ethics
“Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that is
should become a universal law”

- one of the most influential

philosophers in the history of
W estern P hilosophy. H is
contributions to metaphysics,
epistemology, ethics and aesthetics
have had a profound impact on
almost every philosophical
movement that followed him
 The Categorical Imperative: 3 Maxims

1. A n action can only be considered as ethically

correct if it can be accepted or made into a
universal law (B owie, 1999)
- the only way to measure whether an action is ethical is to ask
whether we could be willing to live in a world where everyone
routinely did the same thing. If our actions would be acceptable to
us as a universal law, then they are correct and ethical.

E xample: fake promise to pay , re-negotiate a contract,

IMMANUEL KANT : Duty - Based Ethics
 The Categorical Imperative: 3 Maxims

2. A person should be treated as an end and not

the means to achieve an end (B owie, 1999)
- every individual should be treated with respect and not just as an
instrument to achieve personal happiness or goals.

= G IV E E Q U A L TR E A TM E N T T O E V E R Y H U M A N B E IN G
(F errell & F raedrich,2010)

IMMANUEL KANT : Duty - Based Ethics

 The Categorical Imperative: 3 Maxims

2. A person should be treated as an end and not the means to

achieve an end (B owie, 1999)

TW O F O R M S O F F R E E D O M
- N E G A TIV E F R E E D O M - Individual should not be deceived or
coerced into doing something
- P O S ITIV E F R E E D O M - privilege to allow an individual to
develop to his/her full capability

E xample: L aying off employees

IMMANUEL KANT : Duty - Based Ethics

 The Categorical Imperative: 3 Maxims

3. E ach individual should act as a member of an

ideal kingdom where he or she is both the ruler
and subject at the same time (B owie, 1999)
- a set of rules that are made should treat every individual with
respect and dignity. T hese rules should also be accepted by
everybody.

IMMANUEL KANT : Duty - Based Ethics

 The Categorical Imperative:
BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS
- democratic workplace
- create a positive working experience
- provide a sense of belonging and security
C A TE G O R IC A L IM P E R A TIV E M A X IM S -
IM P R O V E D W O R KIN G E X P E R IE N C E O R
W O R KP LA C E - IN C R E A S E M O TIV A TIO N -
P R O D U C TIV ITY - P R O F IT M A X IM IZ A TIO N

IMMANUEL KANT : Duty - Based Ethics

JEREMY BENTHAM and JOHN STUART
MILL: UTILITARIANISM “The end justities the means”
J O H N S TU A R T M ILL - T he said truth is that it is
the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the
measure of right atnd w rong

revolves around the concept of “the end

justifies the means”. It believes that
outcomes, as a result of an action have a
greater value compared to the latter.

J E R E M Y B E N TH A M -
A person may cause evil to others not only by his
actions but by his inaction, and in either case, he is justly
accountable to them for the injury ”
 UTILITARIANISM
- is a philosophy or belief
suggesting that an action is morally
right when the majority of people
benefit from it.
 UTILITARIANISM
- it depends on consequentiality.

E xample: S hould I lie?

 UTILITARIANISM
R ule U tilitarianism - put in place the
most people by using the fairest
method possible.

E xample: A irline Industry seat pricing.

 UTILITARIANISM
A ct U tilitarianism - makes the most
ethical actions possible for the
benefit of the people.

E xample: P harma S tory

 UTILITARIANISM:
BUSINESS IMPLICATION
C O N S U ME R - biggest stakeholders in
business

F or B entham, all of the pleasure of consumers should

be met (L ower price, customer service, product
quality etc), so a business should do everything they
want.

F or M ill, consumer happiness is important but this

 UTILITARIANISM:
BUSINESS IMPLICATION
E N V IR O N M E N TA L E TH IC S

F or B entham,businesses would have every right to exploit the

environment as long as consumer pleasure was being met.

F or M ill, businesses are allowed to use the environment but in

moderation and they should not exploit it because caring for the
environment is a higher pleasure.
 Do you think Babel Group
Incorporated’s decision of pushing
through with the establishment of
their new building in Malabon City
was ethical? Why or Why not?
THANKS!
D o you have any
questions?
youremail@ freepik.com
+ 91 6 20 4 2 1 8 38
yourcompany.com
ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES