Philosophical Approaches to Reclaiming Ethics in the Modern Workplace

“Ethical thinking: the brain behind better business.”

Everyone agrees that business ethics are important in the corporate world, but many professionals sadly notice that truly high ethical standards are often missing from today's workplaces. The constant focus on financial results often overshadows the moral principles that should guide every business decision.

This article looks at the main philosophical ideas that can help business leaders reset and bring strong ethics back into their companies.

Knowing About Business Ethics and Moral Responsibility

The phrase "business ethics" refers to the basic values, rules, and moral duties that govern how a company and its employees should act. It requires a philosophical perspective, focusing on corporate moral agency—the ethical duties of all individuals involved in relevant business activities.

It's sad, but my own work experience shows that these basic moral duties don't seem to be as important in everyday life anymore. This has led to problems in both human resources (hiring, pay structures) and operations (product safety, advertising, and pricing).

Many companies put Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) first, which means doing things that help people outside the company, like communities. But to really understand and follow basic business ethics, you need to be more committed to philosophy. The irony is that ethical practices are what keep the business honest, but there isn't much real discussion about this in business books.

The Four Philosophical Frameworks of Ethics

These four frameworks are a great place to start when it comes to creating a truly ethical culture. They don't just follow the rules; they also promote deep honesty.

1. Deontology: Duty and Rules 

Immanuel Kant came up with Deontology, which says that actions are morally right no matter what happens as a result. It stresses doing the right thing and being responsible at work.

  • Core Principle: No matter what happens, an action is moral if it follows a moral duty.

  • Business Use: For example, a business shouldn't keep important information from customers, even if it would hurt sales. It's wrong to lie. Applied Deontology is best shown in medicine, where doctors and patients are expected to act morally.

2. Utilitarianism: Results and Effects 

Utilitarianism, on the other hand, decides whether an action is right or wrong based on what happens as a result. The goal is to get the most benefit and the least harm for the most people involved.

  • Core Principle: The most moral choice is the one that helps the most people the most.

  • Application in Business: This is the most common way to do things, as seen in cost-benefit analyses. But it has a flaw: it can't see into the future and might not think about some moral values, like fairness for minorities or human rights. It is an important part of what is right and wrong.

3. Justice or Fairness: Rights and Equality 

Justice or Fairness is an ethical principle that mandates equitable treatment for all individuals, irrespective of social distinctions such as race, income, or gender. John Rawls, a philosopher who died, came up with the idea of justice.

  • Main Idea: The most important thing is that everyone should be treated fairly and that decisions should be based on facts and experience, not on bias.

  • Application in Business: In business, this is important for stopping discrimination and favoritism at work and making sure that all workers have the rights they deserve. A good example is Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI). It started with a promise of $100 million in June 2020 and has now grown to more than $200 million. REJI's main goal is to make things more fair for Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities by changing the criminal justice system, giving people more control over their money, and teaching them. This shows that you really care about being fair.

4. Virtue Ethics: Integrity and Morality 

Virtue Ethics, first proposed by Aristotle, emphasizes the moral agent's character and intentions, encompassing both individuals and organizations. A person who is virtuous does what is right.

  • Core Principle: Businesses should be honest, trustworthy, and fair, and they should help both their employees and their customers reach their goals.

  • Application in Business: In business, the best way to use this method is to let everyone help make decisions. Senior leaders make it normal for people to do the right thing by giving them more power and telling them to give others more responsibility.

The Next Step: Embracing Philosophical Leadership

We need to use these philosophical ideas right away because the world is changing and new ideas are coming up. The many moral issues we face, from HR concerns to issues about product liability, show how important it is to start over with our way of thinking.

The individuals, including business leaders, must focus on these philosophical approaches—Deontology, Justice, and Virtue—to implement high ethical values. By adopting a more philosophical approach in their leadership style, businesses can ensure high ethical standards become a habit that builds long-lasting loyalty and value, rather than just a goal.

Would you like to explore how to audit your current business practices against one of these ethical frameworks?

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