As per He-Whose-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Disclosed's nagging, here is my Business Ethics timed essay typed up. I really wouldn't use this essay as a definitive guide though - it did get a (low) C, but like, I did next to no revision beforehand, and I was just writing whatever came to my mind in the short time we had to write, so I have no idea which points are valid and which are just a load of crap. The teacher didn't give much comment. Nonedaless, enjoy!
'Religious Ethics is not the best approach to business.' Discuss.
Some see Christian ethics as the best approach to business, and some do not. Both sides have plenty of material to bolster their arguments.
The Bible is the foundation of Christian ethics - both the Old and New Testaments. Leviticus is one book that provides ethical direction to businesses. It promotes justice, honesty and fairness in business - valuable virtues for business owners to have, which if maintained should help build healthy relationships between business and consumer, and the greatest happiness for all involved. Many prophets in the Old Testament give ethical teachings on business - like Amos, who spoke out about the unfair treatment of the poor by the rich. The New Testament says to treat others as you want to be treated. All these teachings applied to the business world do work in principle, but they may not be ideal in today's world, where much has changed since biblical times.
It is important to cite Jesus, who said, "Give to Caeser what is Caeser's", but in moderation. That is, do your duty for the business, but maintain an ethical stance and do not feed the business more than it needs - especially not at the expense of slaves, for example. This seems a fair teaching, and a beneficial one too, but in reality, the typical business has only its own interest at heart, and if the mistreatment of persons overseas will be advantageous, it will very likely be done.
One of the main missions of Christianity is to build the Kingdom of God, and it is a Christian's duty to contribute to this mission. It is believed that everyone is equal in the Kingdom of God, and since businesses are built on a hierarchy (the producers, the laborers, the consumers, the managers), it does not seem at all possible for the two to co-exist. Hierarchy plays a huge and irreplaceable role in the business world, and although without it there may be more equality, a business does not function without a hierarchy.
Christian ethics support whistle blowing sometimes. If it is done in the interest of morality, and it is done honestly, under Christianity it is good. Christianity holds the sanctity of life doctrine in very high esteem, and if whistle blowing is done to preserve and enhance life, then it is good.
One blaring weakness of Christian ethics is that it relies on an existence of God. Even if it is the best approach to business, it will never have the ears of every single person in charge of a business, because not every single person is a theist.
Of course, if perhaps Christian ethics were to be disguised, the maxim of the New Testament "Treat others as you want to be treated" could be an attractive one to many business owners.
[Incomplete. Didn't know what else to write, toloco.]
