This most basic and useful ethical theory, sometimes called the “Rule of Reciprocity,” has a long history: Confucius (500 B.C.): “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” Aristotle (325 B.C.): “We should behave to others as we wish them to behave to us.” From the Mahabharata (200 B.C.): “Do nothing to thy neighbor which …
Decision Making Models: Kant’s Categorical Imperative
According to Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), the moral character of an action depends solely on the principle behind it – not upon the consequences it produces. Ethical obligations are “higher truths,” which we must obey regardless of the results. According to Kant, moral obligations are absolute and do not allow for exceptions or extenuating circumstances. A major virtue of Kant’s duty …
Unethical Behavior Worsens Productivity
“Nobody . . . should have any doubts of the linkages between poor ethics in the workplace and low productivity . . . When workers don’t trust each other and their supervisors, then morale is low, stress is high and output is undermined.” – Kenneth C. Frazier (2003 National Business Ethics Survey) Consider: Companies without a code of ethics do …
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