Edmund Rice Business Ethics
30 August 2011
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am no expert on the philosophy of ethics and morals and I do not claim that what I say is in any way novel.
In reflecting on ethics in public life let me say what I mean by public life in this talk.
Danny Gilbert at work!
By public life I mean that vast collection of political, cultural, social and economic structures, organisations and institutions, including the workplace, which make up and which underpin cohesive societies. People who are engaged in leadership positions in those organisations and who actually influence the lives of others are to varying degrees engaged in public life.
Of course I would not just want to leave it there. Healthy societies depend on the widespread participation by citizens in public affairs and in the institutions that make up civil society. Each of us has the obligation to contribute to the building of social capital, that is to say, to the forces and influences which bind us in community spirit and concern for each other.
First I want to say that ethics in public life have to be grounded in ethics in private life.
Second, I will say something about some of the philosophical thinking on ethics and morals.
Third, I will make some very broad comments about the personal challenge of ethics.
Finally I will make some observations about our times and the challenges we face in promoting the values of truth, authenticity and value in public life.
