Post by ionysis on Jul 17, 2008 8:44:26 GMT -5
WHAT would you do if, when you visit the ATM to withdraw £100, it dispenses £200 because it has been incorrectly stacked with £20 notes and not £10 notes. Would you keep the cash or return it to the bank? If you return the money would it be because: (a) It is wrong not to return someone else’s property; (b) It wouldn’t be fair to the bank’s shareholders; or (c) I might get found out and prosecuted for theft.
Each of the answers a, b or c is correct, with each representing one of the three main moral philosophies that guide our sense of what is right, according to Roger Steare, visiting professor of organisational ethics at Cass Business School in London and the author of Ethicability.
Answer a represents our principled conscience - we do what’s right because it is the courageous, fair or kind thing to do. We often use this conscience in our close relationships. The problem is that principles often conflict and doing the right thing can be difficult, Professor Steare says.
Answer b represents our social conscience - we decide what is right by considering the consequences of our actions on others. We use this most often at work and in communities. The problems associated with this might include marginalisation of minorities, that pleasure can be preferred over what’s good and that the ends can be used to justify the means.
Finally, answer c represents rule compliance - we don’t need to think because the rules tell us what is right and wrong. This is the most common moral philosophy used in business and remote transactions. The problem with rules is that they can cause us to stop thinking for ourselves and too many can promote rule breaking or stifle creativity.
Take the test to find out which one you are.
www.ethicabilitytest.org/user/register.php
Each of the answers a, b or c is correct, with each representing one of the three main moral philosophies that guide our sense of what is right, according to Roger Steare, visiting professor of organisational ethics at Cass Business School in London and the author of Ethicability.
Answer a represents our principled conscience - we do what’s right because it is the courageous, fair or kind thing to do. We often use this conscience in our close relationships. The problem is that principles often conflict and doing the right thing can be difficult, Professor Steare says.
Answer b represents our social conscience - we decide what is right by considering the consequences of our actions on others. We use this most often at work and in communities. The problems associated with this might include marginalisation of minorities, that pleasure can be preferred over what’s good and that the ends can be used to justify the means.
Finally, answer c represents rule compliance - we don’t need to think because the rules tell us what is right and wrong. This is the most common moral philosophy used in business and remote transactions. The problem with rules is that they can cause us to stop thinking for ourselves and too many can promote rule breaking or stifle creativity.
Take the test to find out which one you are.
www.ethicabilitytest.org/user/register.php