Business Ethics, Part 2 of 5

As I read and re read Mr. Byron’s “ten classic ethical principles” I find myself with more questions than answers. My first response to the discomfort of being in question? Rush to find answers! I often find that life, job, and family are only hungry for answers.

As you explore what these principles mean in your life I hope you will hang out in the questions. Here are a few questions to consider

Are these principles part of what I consider important?
Do they currently influence my actions and choices?
How might they in the future?


Excerpt from The Power of Principles

“I’ve identified ten classic ethical principles and invite the reader to come up with his or her own understanding of each one. You are the world’s leading expert on your own opinion. It is important that you articulate your own opinion on these matters so that you can assess how widely shared, in your present or future workplace, are your values and the understandings you have of these classic principles. Remember, a culture is a set of shared meanings and values. How widely shared are your meanings and values relative to these ten points?

….

Fourth, the Principle of Human Dignity. This bedrock principle of all ethics—personal and organizational—acknowl­edges a person’s inherent worth. It prompts respectful recog­nition of another’s value simply for being human.

Fifth, the Principle of Participation, workplace participa­tion in this case. This principle respects another’s right not to be ignored on the job or shut out from decision making within the organization.

Sixth, the Principle of Commitment. What I have in mind here is that a committed person can be counted on for de­pendability, reliability, fidelity, loyalty.”


Byron, S.J., William J., The Power of Principles: Ethics for the New Corporate Culture, Orbis Books, 2006. Chapter One, Old Ethical Principles, p 5.