Just Business
Briefly summarize this concept, and discuss how it is helpful in thinking about business ethics.
Hill argues that Christian ethics in business is not rules but the change-less character of God (Hill, p. 14). Scripture describes how we were created in the image of God and we are expected to behave in a manner consistent with God’s character, therefore, acting ethically (p. 14). Hill goes on to suggest that behavior consistent with God’s character is ethical and that there are three divine characteristics which have a direct bearing on our ethical decision making process; holiness, justice and love (p.15) and how all three are necessary, comparing them to the skeleton, muscles and skin. An interesting way to think of them, I thought. He goes on to suggest that in being “ethical” in business …show more content…
23), which consists of four elements, zeal for God, purity, accountability and humility. Holiness is principally about priority. Holiness is that which holds us accountable by rewarding moral purity and punishing impurity (p. 28), and according to Hill the market tends to punish companies that produce poor products and believes it to be good that such companies be punished. I found this to be interesting. Justice helps to provide order to relationships by laying reciprocal sets of rights and duties (p. 37). One’s right to be treated fairly creates a duty in another to treat them fairly. I think we can all agree, we are all obliged not to harm others (negative injunction), however, there seems to be little consensus on our responsibility toward those we have not harmed (affirmative duties). The four elements of Justice consist of: procedural rights, substantive rights, merit and contractual justice (p. 39).Love’s primary focus is on the emphasis on relationships. This is because “while holiness focuses primarily on purity and justice on rights, love concentrates on relationships” (p. 54). Without a solid relational foundation,