'Now kings will rule and the poor will toil, and tear their hands as they tear the soil. But a day will come in this dawning age, when an honest man sees an honest wage.' (U2) The topic of ethics can sound and feel abstract, esoteric. Something confined to philosophy lectures. The mysterious realm of armchair academics. What does it look like in practice? Why has it become such a critical issue for organisations and societies now? Jasmin, a Filipina, is from the poorest of the poor. To her amazement, and as an answer to prayer, she finds herself with an opportunity to build a small kitchen. She looks for contractors to do the work. The first question she checks is whether the labourers are paid a fair wage. In a country and industry marred by corruption, exploitation is rife. The second is whether they will build with love, if they will pour their hearts as well as their construction skills into achieving a good result. This is so different to a purely commercial transaction. It’s about spirit, attitude – and trust. Against this backdrop, I find it helpful to think about ethics, at its simplest, as values with a moral dimension. For Jasmin, it’s about lifestyle, relationship and stance. Stance infers a choice. We are faced with a decision-point, a junction in a metaphorical road. Pragmatic wisdom would suggest a weighing up of costs against benefits. Ethics would ask who is affected and how? What would be ‘good’ and ‘right’? Why this, and why now? I look up and look around: corruption; media manipulation; climate change; environmental disaster; poverty; human rights abuse; war. How did we get here? I see the poor and vulnerable affected the most and the worst. Yet still, closer to home and within me: a temptation to put my own interests first; to close my eyes; to dull my heart; to deceive my mind; to choose the easier and expedient path. So, what does ethics look like? I ask Jasmin and her life speaks: ‘Pray, love and take a stance.’
20 Comments
Carolyn Anderson
27/10/2022 05:25:36 pm
I really enjoyed reading that, Nick. Thank you.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:26:17 pm
Thank you, Carolyn. I appreciate your heart-warming feedback.
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David Powell
27/10/2022 05:29:57 pm
Hi Nick. I can certainly relate to your 'confessions' at the end. In the busyness of leadership, I too easily take ethical short cuts. This Jasmin's example is a real challenge to me.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:33:56 pm
Hi David and thank you for posting such an honest response. Yes, Jasmin's example challenges me too. A couple of books have helped my own soul searching in the leadership domain:
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Ann Ellis
27/10/2022 05:35:36 pm
Thanks Nick. I like your definition of ethics as 'values with a moral dimension'. That's helpful.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:37:18 pm
Thanks Ann! I'm grateful for your feedback.
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Philip Matthews
27/10/2022 05:38:35 pm
Hello Nick. Is ethics something to do with emotional intelligence?
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:41:07 pm
Hi Philip. That's an interesting question. Lennick & Kiel explore it further in their book, 'Moral Intelligence' (2005). It builds on Daniel Goleman's work in the field of Emotional Intelligence.
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Neil Cartwright
27/10/2022 05:45:07 pm
Jasmin's questions pricked my conscience! I recently had some building work done and it didn't even occur to me to ask how much the builders who did the work got paid. I was more interested in overall cost to my pocket and quality of delivery.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:50:43 pm
Thank you, Neil. Mine too! When Jasmin shared this account with me, I was immediately struck by the resonance with the words of that U2 song I quoted at the start of the blog. Jasmin has lived experience of terrible poverty and, having been through such hardship and exploitation herself, is determined to ensure that others don't have to.
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Karen Robinson
27/10/2022 05:52:48 pm
I'm fascinated by Jasmin when you write about her. She is such a principled woman and a true inspiration. It's great to see someone who lives what she speaks. Integrity in action.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 05:55:02 pm
Thank you, Karen. And yes, indeed she is! I love the mantra she lives by:
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Antony Bradshaw
27/10/2022 05:56:46 pm
Hi Nick. Thanks for sharing. I can see from the link to 'A Radical Heart' that Jasmin is a Christian and that you are too. Can you recommend any resources that explore ethics from a Christian perspective?
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 06:00:15 pm
Hi Antony. Yes, Jesus is the foundation for Jasmin's spirituality and ethics, as he is for my own too. I can recommend a book by Arthur F. Holmes called 'Ethics' (2007). Although it was written a while ago now, I find his thinking (as that of others in the excellent 'Contours of Christian Philosophy' series) helpful.
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Diane Fraser
27/10/2022 06:03:56 pm
I like that you make ethics practical. The world is a mess. If only more people would live like Jasmin.
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 06:08:34 pm
Thank you, Diane. I'm aware that the field of ethics is broad, complex, mind-bending and, at times, heart-wrenching. It's not always easy to see a right way through to a good decision. I too like how Jasmin doesn't allow herself to become paralysed by analysing such complexities. She prays then acts decisively - with love as her guiding principle.
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Francis Evans
27/10/2022 06:11:39 pm
Hi Nick. I haven't seen anyone write about ethics for a while. You took me back to discussing situational ethics at Uni. :) You've sparked my interest again, especially when I watch the news and see depressing examples of bad behaviour everywhere. Any tips on books worth looking at?
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Nick Wright
27/10/2022 06:18:23 pm
Hi Francis. Wow - you just me back to memories of discussing 'situational ethics' at theological school! That's going back a few years now. Glancing at my own bookshelf, a couple of books I could suggest looking at - although they are quite old now and the specific content of debates will have moved on:
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Angel Reyes
28/10/2022 08:52:28 am
Hi Sir Nick. I clicked the Jasmin link. She is angel from God! Thank you Jesus. She remind me Mother Teresa. Small things with great love. Something beautiful for God.
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Nick Wright
28/10/2022 08:59:34 am
Hi Miss Angel. Yes, I am reading a book about Mother Teresa (by Kathryn Spink, 2011) at the moment. I am astonished that there are so many similarities to Jasmin! Here are a few more short examples from Jasmin's life that you may find interesting and inspiring:
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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