Home Business Tips

Searching for Ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the morality of a person or of the society. Every course in college includes the subject of ethics because this field of study is considered vital to the complete education of a person. Ethics, ideally, should be the guiding beacon of light of every person so that he will make the right decisions each time he faces a conflict.

Unfortunately, the ethics learned in the classroom is insufficient when a person is already plunged in the real world. For example, most college professors of ethics emphasized the importance of truth and the danger of deception. Yet, the practice of honesty cannot be easily done.

In the field of law, here are probing questions for the lawyer:

• Would you attempt to destroy the credibility of the opponent’s witness who was telling the truth?
• Would you place a witness on the stand when you already know that they will lie or omit some important facts?
• Would you give legal advice that will surely encourage your client to lie?

The safe answer offered by the ABA is this: “Despite the confidentiality in the lawyer-client relationship, lawyers should not knowingly deceive the court because the purpose of justice is deterred by deception by a court officer.”

In the field of medicine, here are non-restorative questions for the doctor:

• Would you keep secrets to protect yourself and loved ones or because you have promised to keep a secret?
• Would you tell the sick and dying of their condition?

The doctor will always be in a limbo when it comes to the second question. The diagnosis might be inaccurate and telling the truth may just accelerate the deterioration of the patient’s health. Or the truth will allow the patient to make preparations for his inevitable death.

In the field of law enforcement, here are investigative questions for the cop:

• Would you lie and cheat to catch the criminal?
• Would you abide with the rules knowing that the bad guy will get away?

Similar to the position of the doctor, the policeman will forever be in a limbo when it comes to these two questions. He may decide to lie and cheat but may lose his credibility. Or he may stick to the book but end up knowing that he allowed more people to become victims.

In the world of business, here are questions for the entrepreneur that needs scrutiny:

• Would you omit certain conditions of a promo just to make a sale?
• Would you wield psychological pressure on a prospect so that he will make a purchase knowing that he has no need of your product?
• Would you exaggerate the benefits of your products and services?

The entrepreneur must find a way to accomplish his goal of attaining financial independence without deceiving people along his path.

With all the conflicting situations a person finds himself in, the use of ethics becomes more challenging. Yet, the person must still find a way to choose the right decision. The aim is not to always sleep better at night because this becomes impossible. The aim is to eventually build one’s own set of morality.

Small/Home Business Tips, Ethics 2006-05-11 Home Business Tips