Elinor Joy J. Antonio                                                                            February 21, 2008

BS-IM O0A                                                                                                          IT ETHICS

Book Review # 7

Title: “Business Ethics”

Author: Norman E. Bowie & Ronald F. Duska

HF 5387 B69 1990

The authors of this book correctly recognized that most ethical dilemmas arise in

our occupational lives, like we are expected to act ourselves ethically so that it will not affect our relationship with our co-workers, apply ethical principles so that we can be accepted by the society, etc. bottom line, these problems can be overcome if we are morally conscientious person. By the ideas of the philosophers written in this book, we can now apply their ideas as our guidelines toward of having a good practice of ethics.

CHAPTER 1 – “My Position and its Duties”

”If the end doesn’t justify the means, what in the world does? If an action isn’t going to lead to some good, why do it?”

To have a better society, one must do their roles in order to have a good result. We need to show our obligations being done so that good consequences will return to us. Being responsible is an act of a matured person that is capable of fulfilling his role in the society.

CHAPTER 2 – “The Moral Responsibilities of Business”

“Management bears a fiduciary relationship to stakeholders and to the corporation as an abstract entity. It must act in the interests of the stakeholders as their agent, and it must act in the interests of the corporation to ensure the survival of the firm, safeguarding the long-term stakes of each group.”

Corporations are managed for the benefit of the stakeholders. Business has the main responsibility to make profit and not to make fraud. A business must also respect the rights of its stakeholders as well treat them fairly and justly.

CHAPTER 3 – “Morality in the Practice of Business”

“Act so as never treat another human being merely as a means to an end.”   

- Categorical Imperative

Every person is rational. We have the freedom to do what we want and what must be done. We must not treat other people like asserting a property right in a person. on Kant's account, ever suppose a right to treat another person as a mere means to an end.