左京研討會 第23篇 商業道德
本週商務英語的主題是商業道德
當道德和利益衝突時
人們會怎麼選擇呢
跟我同組的同學們
大多是還沒出社會的學生
當他們面對這個議題時
比較傾向做出符合道德的選擇
而另一組同學
已經有些社會經驗了
當公司的決策有點違反道德
但又好像可以接受時
人們傾向順從公司的決策
當我在思考這問題時
還是習慣保持彈性
先從正反兩方觀點審視過後
再依照客觀條件決定行動
我有可能選擇符合道德的選項
也有可能選擇有點壞的方向
並不會偏執於某一方
我明白如果可能的話
大家都想盡量堅持善良與公平的原則
但實際上是
市場會淘汰掉與趨勢不符的公司
無論理念好壞
所以我想我個人的重點是
Don’t try to do the right thing at the wrong time.
另一個我們在課堂上討論的議題
是關於善意的謊言
有的人堅持世上不該有謊言
因為惡從小處生長變大
但如果是面對一個孩子
你會戳破他的幻想
說這世上沒有聖誕老公公嗎?
或是如果他的媽媽過世了
你會說他媽媽是上天堂了
還是直接告訴他媽媽永遠離開了?
面對一個癌症末期的病患
家人們是該告訴他真相
還是給他善意的謊言?
我想這取決於對方的心理狀態
是否能承受得住現實
或者是還需要保護
有時活在謊言裡
比面對現實容易
像是電影隔離島裡的李奧納多
另外還有一種謊言是客套
日本同學們不管吃了什麼
都說おいしい(好吃)
It’s a lie, but it’s polite.
–English version–
Viewpoint Ep23. Business Ethics
The topic of this week’s business class is Business Ethics. When there is a conflict between ethics and profit, which one should be chosen? In the group I joined, many students didn’t have work experience, so they tended to make ethical choices. In contrast, another group with more experienced members was more likely to follow their company’s decision if it didn’t seem too bad.
When I consider this situation, I prefer to stay flexible. I think from both perspectives and act based on the real situation. I might make an ethical choice or an unethical one; I don’t stick to just one approach.
I understand that everyone tries to be kind and fair, but in reality, the market will eliminate companies that aren’t competitive, regardless of their philosophy. So personally, my point is, “Don’t try to do the right thing at the wrong time.”
Another issue we discussed today was white lies. Some people believe that the world shouldn’t allow any lies because they can lead to greater harm. However, would you tell a child that there is no Santa Claus? Or if their mother passed away, would you tell them the truth or say that their mother has gone to heaven? Another example is if a family member is diagnosed with serious cancer—do you tell them the truth? I think it depends on the person’s mindset: are they strong enough to handle the truth, or do they still need the protection of a white lie? Sometimes, it’s easier to live in a lie than in the truth. It reminds me of the main character in the movie “Shutter Island,” played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
And then there’s the polite lie. My classmates from Japan always say something is delicious after eating, even if it might not be true. I think, “It’s a lie, but it’s polite.”