Is Business Ethics Different From Philosophy?
Based on a recent discussion with @Mark Dennis, I was wondering what other people might add to this conversation.
Mark suggested: Quoting Mark Dennis
Now, I'm not so sure I follow the logic or agree with the conclusion here, but it did get me thinking:
Are there ways in which applied ethics, and in this case business ethics, can veer so far off track so as not to be considered philosophy anymore?
Does something have to be ethical (which I take to be commonly understood as "ethically correct" or "right") in order to exist under the purview of the Study of Ethics?
Or is that just politicizing philosophy and basically saying that if I really disagree with X, then therefore I won't consider it philosophy anymore?
Or is it something else entirely?
(Also, apologies to the mods and @Pfhorrest for getting off track in the education thread. I am not a goader or interrogator, but I am a person who likes to see where a conversation can/will lead. Most people here are cool with that and --I think-- are similarly inclined. In any case, here's a new thread to keep the forum neat. :wink: )
Mark suggested: Quoting Mark Dennis
Also it isn’t wrong to say that not all business ethics is applied ethics because first you have to agree that all of our business ethics is actually ethical in the first place.
Now, I'm not so sure I follow the logic or agree with the conclusion here, but it did get me thinking:
Are there ways in which applied ethics, and in this case business ethics, can veer so far off track so as not to be considered philosophy anymore?
Does something have to be ethical (which I take to be commonly understood as "ethically correct" or "right") in order to exist under the purview of the Study of Ethics?
Or is that just politicizing philosophy and basically saying that if I really disagree with X, then therefore I won't consider it philosophy anymore?
Or is it something else entirely?
(Also, apologies to the mods and @Pfhorrest for getting off track in the education thread. I am not a goader or interrogator, but I am a person who likes to see where a conversation can/will lead. Most people here are cool with that and --I think-- are similarly inclined. In any case, here's a new thread to keep the forum neat. :wink: )
Comments (3)
I'll answer this here so as not to further hijack the education discussion.
Your first paragraph tells me that you still don't really get it. The study of ethics does not only discuss things that are known to be (or presumed to be) ethical. It much more importantly addresses the very types of concerns you raise. When is something ethical? Is X unethical? What does it mean for X to be ethical or not. I'm really quite surprised that you seem to think Ethics, applied and otherwise, would only tackle issues that have already been solved.
As to your 2nd paragraph, I've repeatedly told you that I'm not out to do anything to you. I was/am in theoretical disagreement with you about what constitutes applied ethics.
From my vantage point, I started off being interested in what your area of expertise might be, just as a general friendly inquiry. Then I tried goodheartedly to tease you about your vague answer. Then I was just amused and bemused at your increasing hostility toward my rather benign questions/theoretical disagreement.
But I'm sure now you'll tell me yet again what nefarious intents I actually have, because you seem to think you know my own mind so much better than I do. :brow: