The Center for American Progress (CAP) found that millennials, defined as Americans between the ages of 18 and 32, have far greater faith in and expectations of government than their older compatriots. This proved true regardless of political affiliation or ideological bent
Archive for July, 2010
Why and How the Millennial Generation Is the Most Pro-Government Generation and What This Means for Our Future
July 29th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Public Sector/GovernmentThe Courage to Implement Codes of Ethics
July 28th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in CodesJohn Paul Rollent argues that the content of business ethics codes is far less important than the courage to see them implemented.Going back to the days of Benjamin Franklin he notes,
“… Franklin’s code may not have not have much to add to the current debate over whether management can properly be called a profession, but for those who say the answer is “No,” it does provide another way of thinking about a code of business ethics apart from the set conventions of a formal profession. It suggests that the goal may not be to write a code of business ethics, but to teach students how to write codes of business ethics, each student her own. This is an exercise that will not only teach business school students how to apply the tools of moral decision-making to the particularities of their own professions, but also to compare across codes and to learn from one another.”
If they do, they will probably find that their views of what makes for “business ethics” aren’t all that different from one another. The real question will be whether they can find the courage to implement them.
How we make choices
July 26th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Decision MakingSheena Iyengar studies how we make choices – and how we feel about the choices we make. She talks about both trivial choices (Coke v. Pepsi) and profound ones, and shares her groundbreaking research that has uncovered some surprising attitudes about our decisions
Prosperity vs. Human Rights: The Dalai Lama’s Urgent Message for the West
July 20th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in DemocracyIn the West we feel that our morality and the basic principles which define our democracy — freedom of speech, the right to practice religion and to live free of persecution — are more important than economic prosperity alone.
The equilibrium that we have achieved has been severely shaken by the economic tremors of the recent recession.Looking to the future what can we do ?
The Ethical Responsibility of Engineers and those that Pastor to them.
July 18th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in CSR“Could I suggest that the West Virginia Massey coal mining disaster and the BP oil rig explosion are a reflection not just of the dysfunctionalities of extractive industries, but also of the dysfunctionalities of popular American Christianity?
Both disasters represent failures on multiple levels. Political leaders failed to provide adequate regulatory oversight. Journalists failed to investigate corporate threats to public safety and health. Boards of directors and accountants failed to provide due diligence in risk management. Chief executives failed to create a culture of safety and responsibility in their organizations. Mid-level managers failed to stand up as whistle-blowers when they saw corners being cut and risks being taken. And engineers failed to build in sufficient structural strength and fail-safe backups for emergencies…
…And a message to engineers, politicians, news managers, journalists, executives, managers, accountants, and others: if you are a person of faith, make sure you live it out in your profession. Singing, kneeling, tithing, praying, and listening to sermons on Sunday (or whenever) aren’t worth much if they don’t affect the way you do your work on Monday. Think of BP and Massey, Enron and Bear Stearns, and realize that your work reflects your values, your ethical character, and your vision of God and God’s character. To paraphrase the apostle James, faith that doesn’t affect your work is dead.”
Are our ethics approaches facts based?Should they be?
July 18th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Decision MakingIt is axiomatic that most of our ways of thinking would be enhanced if we could operate from a factual foundation.I assume that should be particularly true in the world of ethics.What to make of this article from boston.com which challenges that very notion.
Tylenol Recall
July 12th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in CSROnce again we are witnessing a instance of a re-call of a major product by a global company.This article goes beyond the traditional issues and focuses on questions of fraud
Does Surveillance Make us Morally Better?
July 2nd, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Human Rights, Moral PhilosophyIn the afterward of the Toronto G20 summit there has been a good deal of discussion on the role of the police. Some are arguing the Toronto police could have done more. Others take the view that they should have done less. Emrys Westacott asks how the advent of a surveillance society affects people’s moral education and development, in an article written for Philosophy Now.
