Lesson 6: Classical

Philosophers
Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Identify the classical philosophies and their implications for business
principles and practices
Compare and contrast classical philosophies as they relate to the
business setting
Apply virtue ethics in business decision-making; and
Define new business vocabulary words
Life
SOCRATES PLATO ARISTOTLE CONFUCIUS
c. 470 BCE – c. 428 BCE – c. 348 BCE – c. 551 BCE –
c. 399 BCE c. 348 BCE c. 322 BCE c. 479 BCE

Student of Student of Eastern

Socrates Plato Philosopher
Method
SOCRATES PLATO ARISTOTLE CONFUCIUS
Dialectic Method – He established The He established the Wrote about a wide
method of inquiry Academy. Lyceum. range of topics
which lead people to He wrote his own He wrote about including philosophy,
realize their own teachings on justice, philosophy, biology, history, mathematics
ignorance. humanity and psychology and and literature.
equality. politics.
“True knowledge “What you do not
exists in knowing “Knowledge is a “All the gold which wish for yourself, do
that you know virtue” - Plato is under or upon the not do to others.”
nothing” -Socrates earth is not enough
to give in exchange
for virtue.” -
Aristotle
Central Ideas
SOCRATES PLATO ARISTOTLE CONFUCIUS
Think for yourself Believed in the pre- Virtue Ethics Reciprocity Ethics
and stand up what existence of souls
one believes is and its immortality. Believed in Believed in self-
right. avoiding extremes discipline and to
Basic virtues (the golden mean) live a life with
required for a integrity
virtuous life:
Prudence
Courage
Temperance
Justice
Ethics – “ethos” which means showing moral
character
Three ethical theories
•Virtue Ethics
•Deontological Ethics
•Consequentialism
 Virtue ethics vs. Deontological ethics and
Consequentialism
What sort of What sort of
actions we people we
should take? ought to
become?
Philosophies in the business setting
Business ethics makes specific judgments on what is right and wrong,
what ought to be and ought not to be done, what is just and what is
unjust.
Ethics and behavior at work can help or break a company because
virtues help maintain order and assist the business in operating
smoothly, thereby affecting the company’s profitability.
• GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
• CODE OF ETHICS
ACTIVITY
Pretend that you are the owner of Mar’s Garden, a flower and plant
shop. Craft your own code of ethics. Choose the values that you want
your company to uphold.
I. Introduction
II. Mission, Vision and Core Values
III. Rules and Company Policies
Rubrics:
Understanding - How well was Code of ethics/ethical theories
understood? 10
Required elements/completeness 10
Grammar Usage/Clarity 5