Instructions
The thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, you are required to reply to two 2 threads below. Each reply should be at least 250 words and each reply must be different.
Topic
In your review of the article An Historical Perspective on the Interplay of Christian Thought and Business Ethics[in attachments], the authors discuss both the feasibility and challenges of providing effective guidance for business decisions by using a set of ethical principles that remain stable over time, rather than responding to changes in the business environment. Discuss the major points in this article that cause the authors to conclude that ethical principles based on non-business sources are ineffective as a check on the undesirable effects of business on society. Discuss the challenges modern business leaders have experienced, and currently experience, applying ethical principles in the workplace. Share your experiences as they relate to the authors’ main points.
Reply(250 words each)
Thread Reply 1
This article discusses how the role and values of Christianity affected the business of commerce from early times to the time of Enlightenment. Business Insight journal stated, “once a particular religion or a certain part of its purportedly religious enterprises becomes characterized as commercial, this aspect of the religion is quickly deemed either nonreligious or marginal to religious concerns.” (Meyler,2009). One of the main reasons this article favors religion as ineffective is that Christian views are considered subjective and can be changed to better fit the current environment or time. This statement is supported because various scripture in the Bible is vastly regarded as open for interpretation. One typical example is the difference between the Apostolic and Baptist churches. St. Matthew the Evangelist stated that “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19, NIV). Apostolic churches don’t believe in the Holy Trinity the same way as Baptist churches do. Apostolic beliefs state there is one God who manifests as three different entities. This article list five aspects that should be considered when looking at the effectiveness of Christian values in the world of commerce. One is how wealth and poverty have been viewed is another topic that demonstrates some of the shortcomings of ethical principles from a non-business source not being the most effective manner to conduct business. As time progress, the status of one economic standing varies vastly on location and time. To properly answer this question, there must be a standard of life acceptable for all people. Wealth also has a connection with the altitude of work where the certain type or skill levels of works which another major topic where Christian values may not be enough on their own. “Christian ethics in economics and business has a long tradition but still needs future developments.“ (Melé & Fontrodona, 2016).
One of the biggest problems found when applying ethical principles in the workplace is ethical decision making where people sometimes struggle to act ethically. The problem is not limited to the individuals, but the company itself is vitally important to exemplify standards of ethical conduct. Another problem is that ethical behaviors in the workplace are crucial in creating an atmosphere for positive organizational growth, and the opposite will greatly damage that positive environment. I can see why the author feels that Christian ethics alone will not be enough, but the value of Christians should be considered the fundamental base in any business. Unfortunately, one disadvantage of using biblical ethics to make a moral decision is the lack of advice on modern-day issues. Several principles and lessons can still be used today, but the cultural distance could still be addressed. As stated earlier, some areas where decision-making from a biblical perspective is considered open for interpretation. So I would strongly suggest that the company base the moral on biblical ethics and apply business-based ethics to ensure a modern company that will succeed.
Thread Reply 2
The article An Historical Perspective on the Interplay of Christian Thought and Business Ethics by Darlene Bay, Kim McKeage, and Jeffrey McKeage discussed how Christianity’s view toward ethics have evolved over time. The article discusses five periods through time Early Christianity, The Patristic Period, The Dark and Middle Age, The Reformation, and The Enlightenment. In early Christianity it was not okay to charge interest or to have any personal property and work should only be done to benefit the community. In the Patristic Period it was still not okay to charge interest. Ownership of land and possessions were allowed but only what was needed to support yourself and the church. Some Christians in this period still lived in small communities but some Christians no longer lived in small communities and were members of society. In the Dark and Middle Ages it was okay to have land and possessions and there were no limits to the amount. The topic of interest began to be debated during this period. During this period Christians now were are part of society and the Catholic church controlled much of society. In the Reformation it became okay to charge interest and modern capitalism began to take shape. During this period the Catholic church lost there power over society. During the Enlightenment the church began to turn business ethics over to the government and laws. As this article illustrated that over time as society has evolved and changed over time Christianity’s view toward business has changed as well. The article talked about how at times the ethical views changed as a result of having to give justification to the changes society. The article An Historical Perspective on the Interplay of Christian Thought and Business Ethics discusses Charles Avial book Ownership: Early Christian Teaching: Early Christian Teaching which says “Believers were no longer taught that they should strive to acquire only enough wealth on which to live but were instructed to maintain adequate wealth according to their station in life. This shift in ideology can be seen as encouraging the peasants to be content with their earthly life, while justifying the wealth and comfort of the nobility (Avila, 1983)” (Bay, 2010). The article An Historical Perspective on the Interplay of Christian Thought and Business Ethics also talked about how the changes in Christianity’s view on business ethics happened as a necessity to adapt to the changing ethics of a changing and evolving society. The article An Historical Perspective on the Interplay of Christian Thought and Business Ethics discusses the works of Cohen, De-Jaun, Gilchrist, Grassby, Kaelber, and Monsalve and stated that “By the end of the Reformation, a somewhat ambiguous attitude toward business had developed, even among the clergy. Business was praised and deplored even within the same sect. Although business might still be considered heresy, the obvious benefit of business to society and to the church through donations and bequests could not be ignored (Grassby, 1995). The changes in the business environment had made some of the old principles as developed by St. Aquinas and others difficult and ineffective. For example, the shift to a more mercantile system, where products are produced in bulk and sold at some distance made the original conception of a just price obsolete (De-Juan & Monsalve, 2006). It should be noted that not everyone agrees with Weber’s theory regarding the direction of the causation between capitalism and Puritanism. Some believe that the new sect was simply responding to societal changes that would have occurred in any event (Cohen, 2002; Gilchrist, 1969).” (Bay, 2010) I believe that a business ethics will need to adapt as they evolve and as society evolves around them but they must remain consistent to there core values.
