Ethics?

First we need to all be on the same page, or at least as close to the same page as we can be.  Looking at the definition of Ethical according to Wikipedia:
     Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality — that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.


     Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior") is a sense of behavioral conduct that differentiates intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good (or right) and bad (or wrong). A moral code is a system of morality (for example, according to a particular philosophy, religion, culture, etc.) and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code. Immorality is the active opposition to morality, while amorality is variously defined as an unawareness of, indifference toward, or disbelief in any set of moral standards or principles.


     Virtue (Latin: virtus, Greek: ἀρετή "arete") is moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality subjectively deemed to be morally excellent and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting individual and collective well being. The opposite of virtue is vice.


Now that we have Ethics and Morality and Virtue all on the same page, we can move forward and the best way to move forward is to ask questions.  For example having insider trading information in and of itself does not have any ethical or legal implications.  However acting on that knowledge, such as buying or selling stock in that company does.  Not only is that illegal is is unethical.  Advertising that you conduct your business in a certain way and then doing things that are not as you indicated may not be illegal, but is certainly unethical.


When trying to determine if something you have done or about to do is or borders on unethical, you can give it the "Is it Ethical" test.
     1.  Share your thought with someone else, someone you know can make a good value judgement.
     2.  Write down what you plan on doing, leave it for a few days, then go back and read it.
     3.  Do you have to rationalize with yourself why this is a good idea and why you feel it is or is not ethical.
While there are more things we can add to the "test" will leave it at that for now!
Please ask the question "Is it Ethical" and lets see what others have to say.


Jeff
     

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