An Introduction to Business Ethics

1
An Introduction to Business Ethics

• Chapter 4
• The Meaning and Value of Work

2
Why do we work?

• What is work like? Office Space?
• Perceptions? Working more less happy.
• Changing workplace a New Economy.
• Industrial model giving way to volatility.
• Growth of contingent work.

3
Why do we work?

• We need to.
• Work is a (frequently) necessary evil.
• Conventional View
• Work is necessary, but its not evil.
• Human Fulfillment Model.
• Work isnt necessary, but it can be evil.
• Liberal Model

4
The Value of Work

• If we accept that we work in response to some
  sort of necessity, then it seems that we must
  conclude that work is not a good in itself, but
  is rather instrumentally good.
• What is work good for?
• Satisfy material needs and desires.
• Personal Satisfaction, self-esteem, happiness.
• Expressive of character (creative, industrious,
  etc.).
• Socialization
• Satisfy obligations (to individuals, families,
  society).

5
The Conventional View

• Work is necessary for most of us.
• Capitalism trade labor for wages.
• Work is an evil necessity.
• Classical Interpretation.
• Hedonistic Interpretation.
• Both interpretations emphasize the plurality of
  subjective choices.
• Neo-classical Economics work is a means to
  achieve satisfaction.

6
The Human Fulfillment Model

• Work is the key to human meaning. It is through
  work that we give meaning to ourselves and the
  world.
• Karl Marx humans as Homo Faber
• Capitalism, wages, and alienation.
• Pope John Paul II
• Biblical account of humans as co-creators with
  God.

7
The Liberal Model

• A moderate view.
• Like the conventional view, LM emphasizes the
  centrality of individual choice (based on
  commitment to individual freedom).
• Deny that there is one/sole human meaning.
• Like the Human Fulfillment Model, LM emphasizes
  the significance of work to the fact and exercise
  of human freedom.

8
Meaning Business?

• Does Business have a responsibility to provide
  meaningful work?