http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20131007-the-morality-muscle
I attended a lecture the other day (see http://www.rgshk.org.hk/public/event.php?pageId=54&eventId=573) at which it was suggested that one stumbling block to China's further growth is a quite deep-seated lack of morality (or perhaps more correctly phrased, ethics) in its financial/economic/industrial sector, which means trusted, quality brands are proving difficult to establish. One questioner from the floor suggested that "isn't it like that everywhere?", and to some extent it was agreed that it was, but equally it was pointed out that, say, Heinz didn't become a trusted 'superbrand' by producing tainted baked beans, and Glaxo didn't become a world leader by creating capsules for medicines using gelatine that was unfit for human consumption.
The hyperlinked article entitled "Managers: Train your brain for ethical decisions" explores the degree to which ethics can be cultivated. This is related to Ethics (an area of knowledge) and emotion (a way of knowing) and perhaps more...
After reading it what comments do you have? Post by Wednesday 23rd October.
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ReplyDeleteThe BBC Article explores the common discussion topic of ethics. Ethics is a built-in way of knowing within every individual as it helps us decide what is "right" or "wrong" based on our own justifications since it is an extremely subjective area. The article discusses how the hunter Griffiths, makes his hunting pupils consider the consequences of consuming meat by persuading everyone to recall slaughtering an innocent animal just to survive, which happens everyday in farmers that supply the meat that ends up as lunch on your plate. Is it "morally" correct to take ones life in order to survive? This question has been imposed many times and debated frequently though it is ultimately up to you, to establish and stand by your arguments.
DeleteThe idea of showing someone where the food on their plate comes from and how it gets there is quite interesting as it makes people think about what they're doing to animals to get them to be a tasty burger, lamb chop or so on. I think it's also quite true, that when people's money is at stake, they will do anything to keep it. They don't want to throw their life out of the window just because they told the truth to keep their ethics. However it is up to a certain point where peoples morals kick in, just like Edward Snowden. He couldn't watch the goverment spy over billions of people warrantless without them knowing. He didn't care that his job, family was at stake, he just wanted to do what was right.
ReplyDeleteThis actually really affects me on a personal level, as I refrain from eating meat as I am extremely uncomfortable knowing it is a dead animal. Ethics are incredible important to me, and I value everyone's personal choices. However, one of the biggest dilemas I feel the modern society faces nowadays is not being aware of what they are eating; and how it affects everything both internal and external. The article goes on to describe ethics in other examples, and it really connects with my own feelings. I have this constant urge to find out what is "just" and how I can help make things right. I find selfishness to be the root of all evil, and this is what the main point of the article is, where do we cross the line? What is morality? How can we define such a thing, as every example differs? Although I feel that eating meat is a natural tendency, I also believe that human compassion is within everyone. Once we become in touch with that, I feel we are more sensitive to the world around us, and therefore will reconsider our own ethics, and what choices we make in our lives.
ReplyDeleteEthics is something that is different between each cultural group. There are things that do relate between these groups, such as killing in order to eat. I have lived and been in many parts of the world and in any of these places the ethics of killing for our survival could be discussed and understood.
ReplyDeleteHowever I also feel that there are ethics that do not relate with one another. This often correlates deeply with culture, history, and its economic/political state. For example a country or a group with more wealth will have "higher" or "less animalistic" ethics due to the simple fact that they have less worries about their survival.
In fact I think ethics can and should vary slightly within individuals. This I believe is the reason why introspection of a work place is vital. To share an ethical view within a group of individuals. It is also why "building muscle memory" is important as well as it allows an individual to comprehend his/her own ethical view and lead them to their right decision.
This article discusses the idea of ethics, both in our daily lives and also in business. I found the first part of the article, about how Griffiths would bring diners out to hunt and personally butcher an animal to see how it would end up on their plates, very interesting as it makes people realise and understand how the food ends up at their plates, making them understand the value of an animal life and what people have to do to it. The second part of the article then talks about ethics in the work place. I agree on how money can and will destroy the ethics of some people, just to keep or obtain money.
ReplyDeleteI think how Adler "encourages everybody to think out what happens when you do" was a very strong statement to me as more than once in our lives, we will be faced with a decision that will go against our ethics, and at that time we truly need to understand and be able to reach an ethical decision.
The article shown discusses the topic of ethics, in the world of business and daily life. Not many people today understand where and how their food gets to their plate and with Griffiths course he teaches people and shows them the process. It really makes people consider their personal ethics, and reconsider whether or not they are comfortable with eating meat. Although one could argue ethics is based on how you were raised and the personal implications that one's parents put on you.
ReplyDeleteThis article has the author present two solutions to resolving ethical dilemmas in everyday life. In the first, chef Griffith takes his patrons out hunting so that they are forced to confront the ethics of meat and decide whether or not they are fine with eating it. This way, the patrons will become clear in their ethical stance-they will know what is right for them.
ReplyDeleteAdler goes further to discuss ethics at the workplace, where oftentimes people will be asked to do morally wrong things. One interesting point he makes is that people should not attempt to rationalize bad decisions, even though it is a natural reflex to do so. Though he doesn’t propose any alternatives, it is clear that he believes that it is the most common reason why people do unethical things.
Finally, Gentile proposes that people should think directly about implementing ethical solutions instead of just mulling over the issue itself. This is especially important because in many cases, it is a question of guts, not principle, to do what is right. By making the decision only about doing or not doing an ethically correct act, people can build up “moral muscle” to make better decisions in the future. I think this is an excellent approach, especially since in many cases, the “right thing to do” is very obvious-people should not be wasting time on the act itself, taking action is what matters.
I have to question, although this sounds grand for people to start thinking more ethically about their everyday life, do we really want that? Of the billions of people, how can we be certain their ethical judgement is right? More importantly, if they did think about it, what if it did harm rather than good because the ethical decision they thought was best would actually harm society? Ethics isnt universal, unfortunately people have different opinions most of which are justified.
ReplyDeleteRationalizing bad decisions may seem simple, but what if it was the other way around? that the truly thought that it was a ethical decision? Will this harm society? Because if you were to not think about what you do, I can assume you will become less militant in your decision. Thus people will be more open minded to the consequences. I believe forcing ethics is ethically wrong.
The article discusses the ethics behind people's decisions to do something and what the consequences of every decision is. Researches have shown that people tend to work harder and be more committed if their companies set higher ethical standards. Different countries have different ethic policies. For example, in Japan gifts are expected in many meetings whereas in other countries, that would be considered a bribe. The article also talks about ethics through different examples such as making money under pressure without considering the ethical implications of it.Is it morally correct to kill animals just to survive?
ReplyDeletePersonally I believe ethics are extremely important to me, however I believe personal choice is key. For example, I choose not to eat meat as I believe it is unethical to consume another living creature or being. However different cultures have a different set of ethics and considerations. Therefore I believe that ethics can differ within different socioeconimical groups, countries, cultures and ages.
ReplyDeleteI fully understand that not many people have a keen understanding of where and how foods they eat are came from. Moreover, in business, people sometimes misbehave things to gain more revenue. However, I wonder what extent things are ethic or unethical? It is true people should take account of what they are eating to make an ethical decision. However, in other case, making a corrupt payment may allow a company to expand, and give more job opportunities to labours. As a result, it may improve the economical situation and make people wealthy though the unethical decision was made. Therefore, I think the importance of ethic varies as situation changes.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting how Jesse was offering hunting classes to dinners at his restaurant as well as people who are unaware as to how the food they eat is brought to their table. It really merges the line between the consumer and their product by opening them up to a whole new perspective of where their food comes from. I find it fascinating how the use of Jesse’s example can be broadened to other ethical decisions within a business situation. If a company were to be in need of financial aid, is it better to lie and seek options unethically or is it better to be honest and reveal such an issue? It comes as no surprise that business will often take the route which is unethical, as to reveal such information is terrible for business. I agree with Paul Adler and his point that," walk-away money," is the solution to being able to remove yourself from an unethical business and move to one that is ethical and rational. However, businesses such as these are becoming rare. Overall I am not convinced that Jesse's hunting program is the only way for dinners to make more ethical decisions when regarding their food. I am also not entirely sure whether deciding between an ethical and non-ethical decision can be made from practicing. This is due to the fact that ethical decisions are becoming more and more prevalent and within a business the ethical decision can be the hardest one to make and is dependent upon a lot of variables.
ReplyDeleteJesse Griffith suggests people to think about where the food we eat come from what happens to the animals before being cooked and placed in front you on the plate. In my opinion, I think we should always think about the ethical aspect of things we are going to do as it might have a negative impact on others. However, different people have different religious and cultural views, therefore the ethic can vary in different situations.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I believe that ethics mean different things to each individual from different cultures, age, gender etc. Jesse Griffith gives a great real life example by talking about eating animals. He prompts people to think about the moral and ethical side of things, and introduces his "hunting program".
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