REL 219 - Business Ethics and Modern Religious Thought
Faculty: David W. Miller, Ph.D., dwm@princeton.edu, T: 609-258-6956.
Contact: Office hours by appointment at 5 Ivy Lane, Suite 301
Course Objective and Description
The course objective is to learn basic ethics theory and develop practical tools for business ethics, with particular attention throughout the course to the role of religion and spirituality in ethical formation, frameworks, and decision making. This will be applied to contemporary business ethics case studies and situations drawing on real-time news stories and visiting CEOs.
The underlying assumption of the course is that modern religious thought, whether conscious or not, often influences and in some cases underpins business ethics. Students will be exposed to the resources of religious thought (with particular attention to the three Abrahamic traditions), as well as the possible conflicts and other issues that may arise as a result of religious thought applied to contemporary workplace ethics situations.
Having some previous study in philosophy, ethics, or religious thought, and/or interest in business and marketplace issues is helpful but not required. Having a personal religious conviction or spiritual orientation is not required for the course; having respect for those who do is.
Over the term, students will become aware of the resources of various religious traditions, and develop their own ethical framework to engage such contemporary workplace issues as, but not limited to: executive compensation; whistleblowing; cheating; bluffing/lying; diversity and inclusion programs; sexual ethics; non-profit ethics; and company codes of ethics.