GGSR

• The ecological problem that the world is facing today is actually a very serious problem that needs urgent attention and solution
• Dimensions of the ecological problem

  • Population explosion
  • Depletion of natural resources
  • Pollution of the environment
  • Destruction of the earth
• Population explosion


  Rapid increase of the world's population in the last few centuries
• In 1650, the world's population was 5 billion. In 1900s, it increased to 1.7 billion. By 1960, it grew to 3 billion. For 2000 and beyond, the estimated world population will be more than 6 billion
• The air, sea, and land that used to bring health, joy, and vitality to the human race no longer do so
• In the Philippines, only 20% of the forests remain intact. Out of 500,000 hectares of mangrove in the 1920s, only 130,000 hectares remain today. More than 90,000 sq kms of land are in distressing condition because of soil erosion that they can no longer support cultivation, farming, and gardening
• Business has contributed greatly to the destruction of the earth and our environment
• Businesspeople, for a long time, believed that the world is "free and unlimited"
• The businessman's pursuit for private interests at the expense of the common good has created an imbalance between individual gain and social costs
• Environmental Ethics


  The study of man's moral obligation to preserve the environment and the natural order of things
• Man has a moral obligation to preserve the environment. Man has a primary duty to take care of the environment. Man must submit to the demands of natural law and must not intervene carelessly with the work of nature
• The duty to preserve the environment has been reiterated by the Catholic Church in the encyclical "Ecclesia in Asia" (1999) by the late Pope John Paul II
• Factors that must be considered for business to be socially responsible to the environment


  • Business cannot use with impunity the different categories of creatures and resources, whether living or inanimate, simply as they will
  • Business must realize that the natural resources are limited
  • Business must comprehend the evil effects of industrial development on the quality of life
• Reasons for social responsibility of business towards the environment


  • Business is socially responsible to the environment because it is an important part of the macro-ecological system
  • Business depends on the natural environment for its operations, e.g., energy, raw materials and waste disposal
  • Business also must take into account the ethical issues when it relates with environment, e.g., short term profit vs. long term gain of the environment
• Valdez Principles


  A set of ten guidelines designed to regulate and monitor the conduct of corporations in matters relating to the environment
• The 10 Principles, or Guidelines, of the Valdez Principles


  • Protection of the biosphere
  • Sustainable use of natural resources
  • Reduction and disposal of waste
  • Wise use of energy
  • Risk reductions
  • Safe products and services
  • Damage compensation
  • Disclosure
  • Environmental directors and managers
  • Annual assessment
• Corporate Social Responsibility (Bauer)


  Seriously considering the company's impact of the company's actions on society
• Corporate Social Responsibility (Davis and Bolstrom)

  The obligation of decision makers to take action which protects and improves the welfare of the society
• Corporate Social Responsibility (McGuire)

  Social responsibility supposes that the corporation has not only economic and legal obligations
• Work


  The legitimate use of our mental and bodily power for economic gain or profit
• Work


  • It is a personal activity aimed at developing a person
  • It is a social activity whose purpose is the preservation of human society
  • It has moral and legal implications
• The purpose of work is to obtain an economic gain or power
• God

  The author of work, who blessed and sanctified work
• God's work in the Old Testament

  1. Created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day

  2. To allow man to appreciate and value the meaning of work
• Work in the New Testament

  • Christ, the Son of God, also worked as a carpenter
  • Work is not a drudgery or a curse, but an activity that has been blessed and sanctified
• Purposes of work according to St. Thomas Aquinas

  • Provides for one's daily livelihood
  • Prevents idleness which is a source of many evils
  • Curbs the rebellious flesh
  • Enables to give alms from his material surplus
• Work from a human perspective


  • A task to be done
  • The human person as the subject
  • Others as the context
  • When he works, he accomplishes something, defines himself, measures his work as a person, develops himself, and provides an occasion to relate with others
• How to enjoy work and create spiritual values in the workplace


  • Practice the Golden Rule
  • Guard your mouth
  • Stop the green jokes
  • Practice Ethical Behavior
  • Learn to forgive
  • Be generous
  • Respect superiors and coworkers
  • Be considerate
  • Perform your work and fulfill your duties to the best of your ability
  • Be a grateful person
  • Do not bring the problems at home to the workplace or vice versa
  • Be an inspiration to others
  • Read the bible everyday
  • Develop a personal relationship with God
  • Smile and enjoy your work
• Basic Duties of Employees

  • Respect the dignity of the workers
  • Appreciate their work
  • Never treat them as slaves for making money
  • Never assign them tasks beyond their strength, nor employ them in work not suited to their age or gender
  • Give them commensurate and fair wages
  • Provide for their health and social recreation
  • Provide them time for the practice of their religion
  • Instruct them how to use their money wisely
  • Instruct them to love their family
  • Provide them with opportunities with promotion
• Basic Duties of Workers


  • Work honestly and comply with all agreements
  • Never injure capital, nor steal from employer
  • Never outrange the person of the employer
  • Never employ deceit or violence in presenting a cause
  • Never consult with "Agitators" or men of evil principles
• Protestant Work Ethic


  • People can serve God through their work
  • A person should work diligently in their chosen occupation and should not try to change from the profession to which they were called
  • Work is perceived to be the universal base of society and the cause of differing social classes
  • Each person should earn income which would meet their basic needs, but to accumulate wealth was sinful
• Protestant Work Ethic (Max Weber)


  • Predestination - the belief that God has chosen the elect (those destined for eternal life) and all others are condemned
  • All men must work, even the rich, because to work is the will of God
  • Key elements: self-discipline, hard work, ability to save money, living ascetically, reinvesting profits into further ventures
• Selection of an occupation and pursuing it to achieve the greatest profit possible is perceived as a religious duty in the Protestant Work Ethic
• Other key elements of the Protestant Work Ethic


  • Diligence
  • Punctuality
  • Deferment of gratification
  • Primacy of the work domain
• For Protestants, working hard is a mark of commitment to their religion
• Moral aspect of personality


  The spiritual dimension, the core, the center, the integral part of our value system, our philosophy in life, our set of beliefs, our faith and our character
• Value system


  A person's attitude towards life, moral principles, and inner feelings and beliefs
• Types of values


  • Biological values (necessary for physical survival)
  • Moral values (involve choices, decisions, and actions)
  • Religious values (pertaining to relationship with God)
  • Cultural values (shared with the community)
  • Social values (necessary for good human relations)
  • Behavioral values (reflections of inner convictions and morality)
• Commitment


  Values are personally cultivated and lived, involving submission to the rational demands of intellect for truth and the moral demands of the will to abide by what is good
• Moral and human virtues


  • Fortitude (strength in facing danger)
  • Temperance (regulating passions and use of earthly goods)
  • Justice (giving others what is due)
  • Prudence (acting in accordance with reason)