8-30 for 9-1 Why the Ethics/Leadership Requirement? 113-159 Business Ethics
1) "Do greater opportunities and higher stakes cause more instances of unethical behavior? Have our materialism, narcissism and cynicism about the institutions knitting society--schools, sports, religion, politics, banking--dulled our sense of right and wrong" (114).
This quote made me think about the relative balance that we enjoy in our society. I think most people have a fear of change (I know I certainly do), and when the "institutions knitting society" are put at risk, some people WILL compromise their ethical codes to protect said institutions. It's an unfortunate aspect of the human condition.
2) "You don't want to be the outsider who betrays the institution; whistleblowers are always the weirdos" (115).
I've personally witnessed and been a part of situations where questionable things happen, but nothing is done to stop or prevent it due to a fear of being ostracized. Going back to the first quote, I believe that this natural fear is related to the balance that people aim to maintain throughout their lives. In this case, they want to keep up a "relationship balance," once again compromising their morals for the acceptance of their peers.
3) "But the existence of the document demonstrates global understanding of how people should be treated" (143).
It's a wonder why atrocities happen everyday when the leaders of the world are obviously on the same page about human rights. Most everyone is born with some sort of moral code, so again, why are horrible things happening all across the globe?
-There's a reason why the U.N. exists, but its very existence seems contradictory to the way humanity continues to act.
