islamic universitydr. basil hamed1 advanced technical writing lecture 15 presentation on ethics in...

Islamic University Dr. Basil Hamed 1

Advanced Technical WritingAdvanced Technical Writing

Lecture 15

Presentation on Ethics in Business and Society

13/7/200813/7/2008


Ethics:

What’s the Fuss?

Islamic UniversityIslamic University Dr. Basil HamedDr. Basil Hamed 33

What Is Ethics?What Is Ethics?

A few years ago, sociologist Raymond Baumhart A few years ago, sociologist Raymond Baumhart asked business people, "What does ethics mean to asked business people, "What does ethics mean to you?" Among their replies were the following: you?" Among their replies were the following:

"Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right "Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong."or wrong.""Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.""Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.""Being ethical is doing what the law requires.""Being ethical is doing what the law requires.""Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our "Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts."society accepts.""I don't know what the word means"I don't know what the word means


What Is Ethics?What Is Ethics?

In order to understand what In order to understand what ethicsethics is, and is, and what it might look like, it's important to what it might look like, it's important to distinguish the difference between distinguish the difference between ethicsethics and and values values ..

Ethics is about Ethics is about the way we treat one anotherthe way we treat one another and is and is an action concept that dictates how we choose to an action concept that dictates how we choose to live our lives. The ultimate true test of our character live our lives. The ultimate true test of our character is when is when we are willing to do the right thing even we are willing to do the right thing even when it is not in our best interest to do sowhen it is not in our best interest to do so . .


VALUESVALUES

Refers to ourRefers to our core beliefs or desires core beliefs or desires , the , the things we value the most. Our values things we value the most. Our values shape our attitudes and determines shape our attitudes and determines how how we we will behavewill behave in certain situations. in certain situations.


Ethical Values Vs. Non-Ethical Ethical Values Vs. Non-Ethical ValuesValues

Ethical ValuesEthical Values directly relate to our beliefs directly relate to our beliefs concerning our moral duty as opposed to concerning our moral duty as opposed to what is correct, effective, or desirable. what is correct, effective, or desirable. These are the values that drive our These are the values that drive our principles.principles.Non-Ethical ValuesNon-Ethical Values are concerned with are concerned with things that we like or find personally things that we like or find personally satisfying and/or important, with no regard satisfying and/or important, with no regard to the moral content. to the moral content.


When evaluating one’s goals and objectives, a vital question must be asked: What is your highest aspiration?

A. WealthB. Fame

C. Knowledge D. Popularity

E. Integrity


If integrity is second to any of the

alternatives, then it is subject to sacrifice in situations where a

choice must be made. Such

situations will inevitably occur in every person’s life.


Why talk about ethics?

Why talk about ethics? In the aftermath of major corporate

failures and questionable accounting practices, American

Accounting Association President G. Peter Wilson said that in the classroom, educators need to

increasingly emphasize the value of integrity, what has long been a

mainstay of accountants’ reputation


Wellllll….How about…

Being a little late to work occasionally?

Surfing the Web when you run out of things to do?

Downloading some music to your computer?

Installing software that isn’t approved by the company?

Forgetting to handle a couple of tasks you were given?

Getting stuck on a problem but not asking for help?


There are lots of things that might seem “OK” with a casual glance but which can actually be “Not OK” for the employer.

The secret to not getting on the wrong side of your boss is to have a proactive attitude to your job. Even a job that isn’t everything you want.


How do you handle a problem?

Be thoughtful about your activities and you probably won’t have a problem, but if you should make a mistake…

Be HONEST; let your supervisor know in a timely way so he/she isn’t taken by surprise.

ANALYZE the problem; why did it happen, what will prevent it from happening again?

CORRECT the problem as quickly and completely as possible. Don’t sweep it under the rug.


In a recent Wall Street Journal

article, Psychology professor Steven Davis says that

cheating by high school students has increased from about 20 percent in the 1940’s to 75 percent

today.

“Students say cheating in high school is for grades, cheating

in college is for a career.”


If students lack ethics in high school and college, then there should be little surprise that

they lack ethics in their careers. Greed and over-reaching

ambition often end in disastrous personal consequences.

Convicted inside trader, Dennis Levine, in a Fortune magazine

article wrote:


Many institutions of higher education have instituted policies regarding ethics education. For example, the Faculty Handbook of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University includes the following statement:

“Therefore, faculty and staff have a responsibility for creating an academic environment that promotes honest academic inquiry and teaches students ethical behavior in the process.”


"We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor

Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does"

-- Which do you think is the harder part:

Line 1 or Line 2? Why?

Educational Institutions have established ethics codes for their students, e.g. the U.S. Air Force Academy:


What do profs think?

In a survey of college faculty, 187 professors responded to several statements about teaching ethics:

1. The importance of ethics and personal integrity should be stressed in the courses I teach.4.75

2. The basis for ethics and personal

integrity should be discussed (e.g.

benefit to society as a whole, moral and

religious foundations of society, etc.) 4.11

Note: Scores are based on a scale from 1: Strongly Agree to 5: Strongly Disagree


Can ethics be taught?

Teddy Roosevelt said, “To educate a person in mind and

not in morals is

to educate a menace

to society.”


“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His

justice cannot sleep forever.” Thomas Jefferson

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a

nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these

liberties are the gift of God?”


In an issue of Management Accounting, James Brackner stated: The universities are responding with an increased emphasis on ethical training for decision making. For the most part, however, they ignore the teaching of values. For moral or ethical education to have meaning there must be agreement on the values that are considered “right.”


Be sure you are right, then go ahead.

Davy Crockett

1786-1836


Michael Josephson, in Chapter 1 of Ethical Issues in the Practice of Accounting,

describes the “Ten Universal Values: “Honesty, integrity, promise keeping, fidelity,

fairness, caring, respect for others, responsible citizenship,

pursuit of excellence, and accountability.”


“Until about 50 years ago, it was commonly accepted that

universities were to provide students not only with knowledge

and skills, but also moral guidance based on the essentials

of the our tradition.”

Business Prof Geoffrey Lantos


Can you make a

difference?


The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour.

Japanese proverb


Be ready to represent your formal report next meeting

Good Luck

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