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Providing Clear Definitions

In: Lectures on Business Ethics, Political Ethics, and Reputational Ethics

Author

Listed:
  • Wayne Eastman

    (Rutgers University)

Abstract

In the definition of the field advanced in this lecture, business ethics is a method that is used consciously and unconsciously by actors to reflect on the moral permissibility of their actions and inactions. Under the first and main part of the definition, an action or inaction must be permissible for at least one of four key ethical identities: rule-oriented (or ethically conservative) principal; creativity-oriented (or ethically liberal) principal; rule-oriented agent; creativity-oriented agent. Under the second part, the identity under which the action is permissible must be communicated explicitly or implicitly. Under the final part, the choice of identity in a case must be in a relationship of integrity to the overall character of the actor. In the body of the lecture and in the endnotes and appendices, I will compare the definitions of business ethics here to other definitions that have been advanced by scholars in the field, businesspeople, economists, philosophers, and religious prophets. Additionally, I will build on the case of my own self-interested rule violation, introduced in the first lecture, to analyze important differences between the ethics of principals and those of agents.

Suggested Citation

  • Wayne Eastman, 2026. "Providing Clear Definitions," Springer Books, in: Lectures on Business Ethics, Political Ethics, and Reputational Ethics, pages 29-54, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-032-13618-3_2
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-13618-3_2
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