Ethics of Business or Ethics for Business? Two Models for Teaching Business Ethics

Ethics of Business or Ethics for Business? Two Models for Teaching Business Ethics

Business ethics is a topic that generates a lot of interest and debate, both in academia and in practice. However, there is no consensus on how to teach business ethics effectively, or even what the main goals and objectives of such teaching should be. In this blog post, I will compare and contrast two models for teaching business ethics: the ethics of business and the ethics for business.

The ethics of business model is based on the idea that business is a distinct sphere of human activity that has its own norms, values, and principles. According to this model, business ethics is about applying general ethical theories, such as deontology, consequentialism, or virtue ethics, to specific problems and dilemmas that arise in the business context. The main aim of teaching business ethics in this model is to familiarize students with the main ethical frameworks and concepts, and to help them develop critical thinking and moral reasoning skills. The ethics of business model is often adopted by philosophers and ethicists who teach business ethics from a theoretical perspective.

The ethics for business model is based on the idea that business is not separate from other spheres of human activity, but rather embedded in a broader social, economic, and environmental context. According to this model, business ethics is about understanding the impact and consequences of business decisions and actions on various stakeholders, such as customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and the natural environment. The main aim of teaching business ethics in this model is to raise students' awareness of the ethical challenges and opportunities that they will face as future managers and leaders, and to help them develop practical skills and tools to address them. The ethics for business model is often adopted by practitioners and educators who teach business ethics from an applied perspective.

Both models have their strengths and limitations. The ethics of business model can provide students with a solid foundation of ethical knowledge and theory, but it can also be too abstract, detached, and irrelevant for the real world of business. The ethics for business model can provide students with a realistic and relevant understanding of the ethical issues and dilemmas that they will encounter in their careers, but it can also be too descriptive, relativistic, and pragmatic for the normative dimension of ethics.

Therefore, I propose that the best way to teach business ethics is to combine both models in a balanced and integrated way. By doing so, we can offer students a comprehensive and holistic approach to business ethics that covers both the normative and the descriptive aspects, both the theoretical and the practical aspects, and both the internal and the external aspects of business. We can also help students develop both the cognitive and the affective aspects of ethical competence, which include not only knowledge and skills, but also attitudes and values.

In conclusion, teaching business ethics is not an easy task, but it is a necessary and rewarding one. By adopting a balanced and integrated approach that combines both the ethics of business and the ethics for business models, we can prepare our students to become ethical and responsible managers and leaders who can contribute positively to society through their business activities.