The following diagram explains the process of formation of Individual Ethics:-

...

Family
1
Influences

2) Peer Individual 3 Situational

Influences Ethics Factors

4) Experiences 5 Values &

Morals

(C) Group Ethics :

Man is a social entity . They live in a group or community . Inter-dependence on each

other in the group/community- s an essential necessity and therefore , a fact of life.
Individual Ethics then is transformed to a Group Ethics - based on a consensus
among the group to achieve harmony in the group/community .

The group may emanate from-

(i) A locality- consisting of individuals having different values

(ii) A Group/community- whose beliefs are guided by religion , language etc

2 Prof. Swapan Das Gu pta

Since the early days of history of mankind , philosophers , seers , so ial reformers
contributed to develop ethics in groups . In this context following are important
milestones :-

(a) India:

Vedas , Upanishads & Vedantas , Ramayan & Mahabharat , Gautam Buddha , Mahavir,
Adi Shankaracharya , Mohammedan principles , Sufi cult , Christian morals & Missionary
influences .

NB: This unique synthesis in India crystallized in " Indian Ethos" (To be taken up)

(b) Iran/Afghanistan : Zarathustra

Hardly anything is known about Zarathustra's life. For example , it is uncertain when he
lived. Plato and several scholars have argued for a date at the beginning of the sixth .
century BCE. Other scholars accept that Zarathustra is the author of the Gatha 's (a part
of the holy book of the Zoroastrians , the Avesta ), which they date , on linguistic grounds
, in the fourteenth or thirteenth century BCE.

A remarkable aspect of Zarathustra 's teaching is that he employs special words to

describe the demons . Their names are remarkably similar to words from the Indian
Rig veda. Now it is reasonably certain that the language of the Rigveda was spoken in
eastern Iran at some stage in the history of the second millennium BCE. We may
assume that Zarathustra opposed the old religion , which was to flourish in the Punjab
.

Zarathustra's teachings are strongly dualistic . The believer has to make a choice
between good and evil. Zoroastrianism was one of first world religions to make ethical
demands on the believers .

(c) China:

(i) Lao Tse/Laozi :

Lao Tse also known as Laozi, was a philosopher of ancient China , literally means "old
master" . Lao means "venerable" or "old". Zi , or tzu , means

"master". According to Chinese tradition , he lived in the 6th century

BC .

3 Prof. Swapan Da s Gupta

His concepts have multiple meanings like-

"Not doing anything" , "Not forcing" , " Not acting" in the theatrical ?ense ,
"Creating nothingness" , "Acting spontaneously" , and " Flowing with the moment."

Laozi have advocated humility in leadership and a restrained approach to statecraft ,

either for ethical and pacifist reasons , or for tactical ends

(ii) Confucius :

Confucius- literally "Master Kong," (traditionally September 28 , 551 BCE- 479 BCE)
was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher.

His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality , correctness of social

relationships , justice and sincerity .

His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius .

He puts the greatest emphasis on the importance of study & learning .

He wanted his disciples to think deeply for themselves and relentlessly study the
outside world by relating the moral problems of the present to past political events .

One of the deepest teachings of Confucius may have been the superiority of personal
exemplification . His moral teachings emphasized self-cultivation , emulation of moral
exemplars , and the attainment of skilled judgment rather than knowledge of rules,
Confucius's ethics may be considered a type of virtue ethics .

A good example is found in this famous anecdote :

When the stables were burnt down, on returning from court, Confucius said, 'Was
anyone hurt?' He did not ask about the horses.

Perhaps his most famous teaching was the Golden Rule stated in the negative form ,
often called the Silver Rule:

Zi gong (a disciple of Confucius) asked: "Is there any one word that could guide a
person throughout life?"

4 Prof . Swapan Das

Gupta
·His concepts have multiple meanings like-

"Not doing anything" , "Not forcing" , "Not acting " in the theatrical s.ense ,
"Creating nothingness", "Acting spontaneously" , and "Flowing with the moment."

Laozi have advocated humility in leadership and a restrained approach to statecraft ,

either for ethical and pacifist reasons , or for tactical ends

(ii) Confucius :

Confucius- literally "Master Kong, " (traditionally September 28, 551 BCE- 479 BCE)
was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher .

His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality , correctness of social

relationships , justice and sincerity.

His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius.

He puts the greatest emphasis on the importance of study & learning .

He wanted his disciples to think deeply for themselves and relentlessly study the
outside world by relating the moral problems of the present to past political events .

One of the deepest teachings of Confucius may have been the superiority of personal
exemplification . His moral teachings emphasized self-cultivation , emulation of moral
exemplars , and the attainment of skilled judgment rather than knowledge of rules ,
Confucius 's ethics may be considered a type of v i rtue ethics .

A good example is found in this famous anecdote :

When the stables were burnt down, on returning from court, Confucius said, 'Was
anyone hurt?' He did not ask about the horses .

Perhaps his most famous teaching was the Golden Rule stated in the negative form ,
often called the Silver Rule:

Zi gong (a disciple of Confucius) asked : "Is there any one word that could guide
a

4 Prof . Swapan Da s Gupta

 The Master replied : "How about 'shu' [reciprocity]: never
impose – better you would not choose for yourself?"

1. By three methods we may learn wisdom : First, by reflection , which is noblest ;

Second , by imitation , which is easiest ; and th ird by experience , which is the

bitterest. 2 . Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

.3 . Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society .

(d) Greece-

Socrates 469 BC-399 BC was a Classical Greek Athenian philosopher .

Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy , he is an enigmatic figure known

chiefly through the accounts of later classical writers , especially the writings of his
students Plato and Xenophon .

Through his portrayal in Plato's dialogues , Socrates has become renowned for his
contribution to the field of ethics, and it is this Platonic Socrates who also lends his
name to the concepts of the Socratic method , a type of pedagogy in which a series of
questions are asked not only to draw individual answers , but also to encourage
fundamental insight into the issue at hand .

Socrates once said , "I know you won't believe me , but the highest form of Human
Ex cellence is to question oneself and others ".

Many of his beliefs seem to conflict with common sense . The following are among the
so-called Socratic Paradoxes :

• No one desires evil.

• No one errs or does wrong willingly or knowingly .
• Virtue - all virtue - is knowledge .
• Virtue is sufficient for happiness .

The most famous quotation : "I know that I know nothing"

5 Prof . Swapan Das

Gupta
 (D) Corporate Ethics :

Business ethics is appl ied ethics in business. Corporate Ethics is ethics followed in
corpor ate wo rld. Corporate means incorporated as business unit. In India- it applies
to the business units established and registered as per the provisions of Company
Act - 1950. In USA , it is know n as " Inc.". In UK, Europe the companies are
registered as per the acts there.

Since the days of Adam Smith (1776), business principles and objectives have
undergone c hanges from " Profit" to business propriety to ensure long-te rm sustena
nce and growt h. The present scenario emphasizes on social responsibility along with
wealt h maximization fo r ALL stakeholde rs ..

6 Prof . Swapan Das G upt a