Ethics In The Workplace Essay, Research Paper
The ethical issue I am addressing is one that has and always will be faced by home contractors. Is building a home with lower quality materials than quoted ethical? When a contractor asks himself this question he must before anything take into account his own Philosophy of Ethics. The Philosophy of Ethics which I have adopted after much thought and research is Virtue Ethics. Virtue , as defined in Webster s Dictionary: Morality, goodness, or uprightness; a special type of goodness. The inception of Virtue Ethics was brought about by Aristotle; a Greek philosopher (384-322 BC) and scientist who along with Plato and Socrates are considered to be the most famous of the ancient philosophers. Aristotle was born at Stagira, in Macedonia, the son of a physician to the royal court. At the age of 17, he went to Athens to study at Plato’s Academy. He remained there for about 20 years, as a student, than the instructor.(ENCARTA-98) Aristotle argued that every action has a purpose and that the good of the purpose is the aim of every action. He went on and gave two classifications of good: good as a means; and good as an end. He believed that happiness is the ultimate good or ultimate purpose for what other purposes are sought for. Aristotle defined virtue as one’s capacity to do something well that perfects one’s nature. Virtue is like habit, or like a mean between excess and defect. Thus creating The Golden Mean , moderation in all things. Finally Aristotle believed that ethical principles are acquired through habitation, careful training and good upbringing.(INTERNET-1) Aristotle s belief was that to live a good life you must achieve Eudaimonia , or happiness. According to Aristotle, achieving Eudaimonia is only possible by doing your proper function, or purpose in life. Aristotle also remarks that happiness is not any kind of momentary state, but can be ascribed only to the entire life of a person; and this means that happiness depends on a pattern of conduct, sustained over time by stable traits of a person s character.(NEWTON-134) The structure and foundation for Virtue Ethics are its four virtues: wisdom, temperance(self control), courage, and justice. Doing the right thing is the essence of Virtue Ethics. Hence the motto No Rules, Just Right . You see, a Virtue Ethicist has no regard for the law. He lives by a simple two sided choice of good and bad , and also right and wrong . But the meanings and guidelines for right and wrong are not predefined. One must discern between them on the basis of a strong moral character which takes years to achieve. Aristotle’s ethics emphasizes the importance of reason and virtue for good moral character. It brought the world of reason and moral judgment to a level where other societies had never conceived. I have chosen Virtue Ethics as my personal philosophy because it enables me to make good moral and ethical decisions that are not based solely on rules, or guidelines. Virtue Ethics is much deeper than just that. Before coming even close to a conclusion on an ethical dilemma; I do not just consider the satisfaction or dissatisfaction that I will incur. But the repercussions that decision will have on the overall well-being and eudaimonia of my household and community. I have also chosen this philosophy because it is a judgment process that will be tuned and refined throughout the course of my life. It will aid me in doing the right thing as a result of focusing on certain character values that I will attain throughout my life. These values will enable me to be the best person and businessman that I can be. By following The Golden Mean , a major aspect of Virtue Ethics, I will never become a greedy, self centered person. This mean will sustain me in a comfortable way of living. By allowing a happy medium in between excessive conduct on one hand, and deficient conduct on the other. Along with this extensive moral reasoning approach, I have accepted its Four Cardinal Virtues : wisdom, temperance, courage and justice. Remembering that justice has nothing to do with the law, but with what is right and just , in order to achieve Eudaimonia . By being a temperate individual, I will sustain my self control in questionable situations. Courage and being a strong human being will assist me in standing behind the philosophy in which I have adopted