Philosophy, Business and Society (Level 7)

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: Shahrar Ali
  
• Assessment: an essay of 3500-3700 words (100%)

Business managers, civil servants, advertisers, sales representatives and employers are all practical philosophers. They may not think explicitly in terms of philosophical arguments and theories, but every strategic decision they make is based on philosophical assumptions that can be articulated and assessed.

This module examines some of the central philosophical issues that arise in the course of professional life, including truth, manipulation, trust, freedom, integrity, responsibility and detachment.

No prior philosophical training is required to take this module. Each topic will be introduced without theoretical prerequisites, and the discussion of each topic will be illustrated with concrete examples from actual professions and real life.

Indicative module content

• What is professional ethics? An introduction to ethics in professional life
• Who cares? The ethics of professional detachment
• Ethics for adversaries: thinking ethically in a competitive environment
• Jobs for your friends? Nepotism and discrimination in professional life
• Customers, clients and their desires: the ethics of advertising
• Being truthful: Truth, lies and bullshit in professional life
• Being trustworthy: the values of trust in professional life
• Business and integrity: success, character and personal accountability
• Ethics and organisations: individual, collective and corporate agency
• The corporate citizen: social responsibility and business values