Shades of Gray

[Allthingznew]

Some people see the world in black and white, and for many others there are varying shades of gray in between.

Everyone is pretty clear on some things that are right or wrong, like murder is wrong, bank robbery is wrong etc. But there are many things that people have their own standards on, their own beliefs and perceptions, similar to the belief someone might have about whether or not to return found money, or extra change given in a transaction etc. Some see it as a gift in some providential way, others as something that doesn't belong to them, with still others anywhere in between.

Applying this idea to business, where do you draw the line? What is most important to you to either maintain or never to allow? For example, every one agrees there are many write offs we can take on our taxes. Is there something you might know someone else deducted that you would not, or vice versa based on your own belief or standard? I'm talking fudging, or at least perceived fudging.

Once you identify where you draw the line for yourself and your business, how does this choice impact your results? Does your choice augment your business or is it an obstacle of sorts to work through or around? (Whether positive or negative, it doesn't matter)

Simply stated, what's an example of black, gray or white, and how does it make a difference for you?

 

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[australianinvestor]

I think an important distinction needs to be made here, so here goes:

In the study of ethics, there are two main ways to justify something as ethical or not. The deontological way, which is what most people try to use, justifies actions as being ethical on the basis of whether they are inherently right or wrong. Murder is wrong, just because it is. It's what is right or wrong, based on historical experience, I suppose. I guess this is an easy example demonstrating evolution on a social level. We survive better if we don't murder each other.

The other way to justify things as ethical is teleologically, which says that the means justifies the ends. For example, most people say murder is wrong (deontology). However, if you must murder a terrorist to stop an explosion, it is suddenly right. Another example is seeing a destitute man lying in the street. What do you do? Deontology says you help him. Teleology says you step over him if he is in your way.

The key lies in choosing the right method to justify them. It is a very subjective area with many sub-levels (google Libertarianism, Socialism, Individualism, etc. They are explained in a paper by McEwan) so be aware that actions you may think are wrong, might not be, and vice-versa. Funnily enough, it might be wrong and right at the same time, depending on who is analysing it.

So, to bring my meandering remarks to an end, I have developed an "I don't care" attitude. I just act according to what I think is right, based on a number of factors, not all of which are self-centered. If I can justify something teleologically (means to an end), and I feel it overrides any deontological argument against it, I'll do it.

Importantly, when evaluating the actions of others, I don't immediately say it's right or wrong, as their reasoning might not be clear to me, and their action is likely ethically right for them at that time. The western world seems to force their own deontological values on the rest of the world, and this creates all sorts of mess.

Phew, never thought I'd be writing this stuff in here

Some people may agree or disagree, and that's ok.

Daniel.

 

[Allthingznew]

I think you hit on something when you said the Western world forces their own values on the rest of the world, rightly or wrongly.

I guess my examples weren't the best but they were black or white. :smx4:

A non ethically based example might be in what a business does or doesn't give away for free. Sometimes greed is a factor, sometimes not. If you can step away from the situation, you might see a large payoff in giving more for free than might seem reasonable, but in the long run could result in more being charged for something related than might otherwise seem unreasonable.

Some may choose not to give something away and only see the short term and draw the line at x is the most I will give for free because it's black and white, at a certain point I lose money so I will only go so far. But what if the gray in this area was going past that point, but how far? Make even less sense?

 

[kimberland]

I try to follow the Big 10.
That's tough enough for me.

That said,
if I had been a better person
and less selfish,
I probably should have off'ed my Dad
(violating 5 & 6).
That would have been the right thing to do.

I try not to judge people.
It is impossible to know the full situation.

 

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