Business Ethics vs. Military Ethics
Business Ethics versus Military Ethics
June 18, 2005 Business Ethics versus Military Ethics
"The ultimate basis for ethics is clear: Human behavior has consequences for the welfare of others. We are capable of acting toward others in such a way as to increase or decrease the quality of their lives. We are capable of helping or harming. What is more, we are theoretically capable of understanding when we are doing the one and when the other. This is so because we have the capacity to put ourselves imaginatively in the place of others and recognize how we would be affected if someone were to act toward us as we are acting toward others" (Elder & Paul, 2003).
There are many types of ethics and many ways to incorporate practices to enforce ethics as well as punish violators of ethics requirements. Two categories of ethics that are similar yet different are ethics in Corporate America and ethics in the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.). First, we need to understand what ethics are. Ethics contributes to the learning what is right or wrong. "Doing the right thing is not as straight forward as conveyed in a great deal of business ethics literature"(McNamara, C. 2003, 6). The definition between corporations and the military provides us with a general description of ethics. Are military and corporate ethics different?
Business Ethics in Corporate America
The Business ethics concept means many things to many different people. It is coming to know what is "right or wrong in the workplace and doing what is right -- this is in regard to effects of products/services and in relationships with stakeholders" (McNamara, C. 2003, 8 ). "According to Carter McNamara, business ethics is summarized into "Two Broad Areas of Business Ethics" defined as managerial mischief and moral mazes." (McNamara, C. 2003, 10). The first discussion will be managerial mischief. "Madsen and Shafritz, in their book "Essentials of Business Ethics" (Penguin Books, 1990) further explain that
June 18, 2005 Business Ethics versus Military Ethics
"The ultimate basis for ethics is clear: Human behavior has consequences for the welfare of others. We are capable of acting toward others in such a way as to increase or decrease the quality of their lives. We are capable of helping or harming. What is more, we are theoretically capable of understanding when we are doing the one and when the other. This is so because we have the capacity to put ourselves imaginatively in the place of others and recognize how we would be affected if someone were to act toward us as we are acting toward others" (Elder & Paul, 2003).
There are many types of ethics and many ways to incorporate practices to enforce ethics as well as punish violators of ethics requirements. Two categories of ethics that are similar yet different are ethics in Corporate America and ethics in the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.). First, we need to understand what ethics are. Ethics contributes to the learning what is right or wrong. "Doing the right thing is not as straight forward as conveyed in a great deal of business ethics literature"(McNamara, C. 2003, 6). The definition between corporations and the military provides us with a general description of ethics. Are military and corporate ethics different?
Business Ethics in Corporate America
The Business ethics concept means many things to many different people. It is coming to know what is "right or wrong in the workplace and doing what is right -- this is in regard to effects of products/services and in relationships with stakeholders" (McNamara, C. 2003, 8 ). "According to Carter McNamara, business ethics is summarized into "Two Broad Areas of Business Ethics" defined as managerial mischief and moral mazes." (McNamara, C. 2003, 10). The first discussion will be managerial mischief. "Madsen and Shafritz, in their book "Essentials of Business Ethics" (Penguin Books, 1990) further explain that
References: McNamara, C. (2003). Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers. Retrieved 15 June 2005 from www.mapnp.org/library/ethics/ethics.htm Paul, R. & Elder, L. (2003) The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning, The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Dillon Beach, CA. Retrieved 06-18-2005, from UoPHX rEsource GEN/300 Toner, J. H., Military OR ethics, Air & Space Power Journal Vol. 17,Iss 2, Summer 20032003. Retrieved 06/15/2005 from UoPHX rEsource GEN/300