What Is Ethics?

Some years ago, a socialist by the name of Raymond Baumhart asked business people, “What does ethics mean to you?”  The replies were (and largely paraphrased below):

“Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me what is right or wrong”

“Ethics has to do with my religious belief”

“It is what the law requires”

“It is those standards that society accepts”

“Not sure what you mean”.

We may somewhat sheepishly agree with some.  Views on this are both shifting and shaky.  Is it based on feelings, religion, society or laws?

Ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do!  So if it is saving 13 lives in a cave, everyone comes together with one goal to save lives, rather than leave it to fate!  It is bringing people to account for their actions be it in Nazi Germany, Rwanda, Cambodia, Syria or Iraq.  It is those standards that reflect honesty (even in opinion), compassion and loyalty.  And that includes standards on various rights – life, freedom, and privacy.  So for a Communist or totalitarian regime this could be irrelevant or clearly not applicable (“the end justifies the means”)

Secondly, ethics refers to the development of one’s own ethical standards.  Are they reasonable or high today?  Are our own beliefs, conduct high enough to shape standards of institutions that we lead?  Do we examine ourselves, inwardly if these are acceptable or do we compromise for harmony?  Or, do we say love covers all – i.e. if the situation “feels” good then it must be alright!

John C. Maxwell suggests there are three reasons why people make unethical choices:

       i.          what's most convenient;

      ii.          we must win at all cost; and

     iii.          relativism – standards change with situations

And Maxwell also suggests five factors that undermine any ethical framework:

       i.          pressure;

      ii.          pleasure;

     iii.          power;

     iv.          pride;

      v.          priorities.

What is key is to have general approaches to ethics:

       i.          command (what do the rules say);

      ii.          consequences (what is the best outcome);

     iii.          character (what kind person do I want to become).

For a new Malaysia, the standards have to be re-drawn.  We need to reverse what was previously considered as white when it was actually black (and vice-versa).  We therefore rise and fall on standards that we expect from politicians, corporate titans or religious leaders.

Ref:

1.      Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks S.J., and Michael J. Meyer, Issues in Ethics IIE VI NI (Fall 1987) Revised in 2010.

2.      John C. Maxwell, Business Ethics