Over two thousand years ago, a strong philosophical approach toward life existed in the Western tradition. Philosophers of that era did not simply teach approaches toward living an ethical life, they actually attempted to live an ethical life via daily practice on the basis of their teachings. The goal of their practice was to lead a flourishing life. This is the target toward which the text is aimed: a practical approach providing both philosophical and scientific evidence to support the teaching and development of an ethical approach toward business (and life) on the basis of reason. This text would emphasize the fact that business is a subset of life and ethics is about how to live your life. Thus, business is a subset of ethics. Finally, what I find most exciting about this philosophical approach is that it is supported by modern scientific developments in the disciplines of psychology and systems theory.
If my industry experience has taught me anything, it is that any course in which business ethics is taught demands that one learn practical tools for engaging the subject matter in a manner befitting its title. Countless texts in this field of business ethics cover a vast number of topics; very few actually engage the student on a personal level in order to effectuate actual ethical behavior, once the student leaves the classroom and enters the business domain. This text is meant for everyone, from the engaged CEO to 18-year-old college freshmen, and everyone in between. CEOs obviously wield a tremendous amount of influence over their employees and the organization they lead. Thus, they have the ability to not only better themselves but also influence all stakeholders, especially employees, with whom their organization interacts. The fact that it is accessible by undergraduates is exciting because these students are able to be reached prior to their primary engagement in the workforce. Thus, the principles taught here can translate into a lifetime of positive impact within both their chosen careers and the greater context of their lives.
I think globally there has been a shift from reliance on the standard capitalist market teachings that embody a traditional business education. This text has the potential to participate in this perspective shift and provide a more valuable approach toward business ethics. By offering an alternative emerging perspective within the text, the potential exists to influence the understanding and practice of business ethics for anyone who truly engages this text. This potential should not be underestimated.
There is one critical concept to remember as you engage in the journey toward wisdom: you don’t know what you don’t know. The first time I heard this phrase was from my beautiful wife, Tammi, very early in our relationship. It really hit me when I paused to consider the implications. There are things I know, such as ethical and legal concepts; there are things I know I don’t know, such as high-level math; and there are things I don’t know that I don’t know, and I have no idea what they are at this point in space and time. But I could encounter something tomorrow and this wouldn’t be accurate anymore due to my level of personal development. This is the mindset we should bring to bear upon a proper study of business ethics.
My vision of a business ethics text would be one that begins with a proper intention, utilizes expertise to develop appropriate scope and coverage, and manifests as a practical guide for demonstrating one’s ethics regularly within any context. The result would be a text that possesses the potential to be a change agent for anyone sincerely engaging this text. What follows is my approach to teaching business ethics from a practical perspective: Conscious Business Ethics. This book is ostensibly about the rather dry topic of business ethics. In reality, it’s about how to live the life that you’ve been given. This book is intended for anyone who wants to figure out for themselves the best way to live a fulfilling life.
What Thought Leaders Are Saying
About “Conscious Business Ethics”
“Wade’s creative approach to ethics is based on the ancient philosophical teachings of virtue ethics, validated through data gathered by modern science. It centers on the self-examination of the individual, encouraging an intention to be the best human being you can be, and thereby able to make decisions that make the world a better place. He teaches students to practically make changes in their lives in order to be successful. This is a skill for life, as well as for business, and it is contained in this book, Conscious Business Ethics: The Practical Guide to Wisdom.”
Dianne F. Harrison, PhD
Former President California State University, Northridge
“Conscious Business Ethics takes thinking about business ethics a huge step forward by integrating ethics with systems thinking, adult developmental theory, positive psychology, and wisdom traditions. Wade Chumney provides an innovative integrated framework for thinking about links between consciousness and life as experienced, outlining how lives–in business and elsewhere–can best be lived and, not incidentally, how businesses can be helped by that integration.”
Dr. Sandra Waddock
Galligan Chair of Strategy, Carroll School Scholar of Corporate Responsibility, and Professor of Management at Boston College