Article Summary
Business schools should use various strategies to teach more students about character. The article “Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer” by Edwin Hartman shows conclusively that business ethics classes have the potential to teach much about character. The strategy will make it easier for them to outline the best values and apply them in different business settings. The possession of good morals and ethical values will eventually result in a person’s wellbeing. The dialectic process (as proposed by Aristotle) can be used to identify the best principles that define good character. That being the case, case studies can help more learners nurture specific marks of good character (Hartman 69). Individuals working in an organization with a positive culture will find it easier “to nurture their newly-acquired marks of good character” (Hartman 68). The article indicates that moral values can help individuals realize their goals and remain happy. The most important thing is for people to make the best ethical decisions. Students should therefore be ready to choose the best working environments capable of protecting their characters.
Critical Analysis
This article by Edwin Hartman offers applicable concepts that can transform the nature of business ethics. Each and every business course can help learners become ethical businesspeople in their future lives (Hartman 72). This is true because the lessons can help more individuals raise specific questions and eventually develop positive behaviors. Case studies focusing on ethical values can help more learners decide the best things to do in the corporate world. The courses can also make it easier for the targeted learners to think critically about the best morals and values that can result in character development.
Aristotle’s view can be used to guide human beings since they possess unique purposes in their lives (Hartman 74). Organizational culture is taught in schools because it can help more employees consider specific issues that can benefit different stakeholders. Additionally, case studies can also play a positive role towards encouraging more people to embrace desirable behaviors and values (Hartman 68). The author goes further to explain how a bad culture can thwart a person’s abilities. On the other hand, a person working in an organization characterized by a positive culture will develop better ethical values. According to Aristotle, individuals who act professionally will eventually become responsible and ethical (Hartman 76). The author goes further to explain why the decision to choose a positive principle will help more people who want to develop good characters.
The article presents powerful ideas that have the potential to improve the moral aspects of many corporations and their workers. Every organization characterized by positive behaviors will nurture good characters among its employees. The process of reflective equilibrium is therefore relevant towards promoting the best principles that can support a person’s character. The author shows conclusively that Aristotle’s dialectic approach can be used to teach good character to more people (Hartman 68). The concept should therefore be implemented in learning institutions and firms in order to promote the best behaviors.
Main Takeaways
These facts and ideas can be applied in different settings. For instance, individuals can choose specific companies whose philosophies support their beliefs. By so doing, such individuals will eventually strengthen their moral characters. Te other lesson is that students should embrace various case studies in order to get a clear image of the issues associated with the corporate world. People should also consider firms that support their moral values. The move will eventually create the most desirable moral imagination (Hartman 79). When put into practice, these values will deliver meaningful results and support the needs of the greatest majority.
Applying the Information
This information is applicable in many settings. To begin with, students should embrace the power of business ethics. Most of the courses focusing on business ethics make it easier for learners to understand the importance of character. Through such lessons, learners can acquire new values and apply them in different work settings. People can also read more case studies in order to identify certain values and understand how they influence business performance. The author also indicates that good character is a powerful aspect capable of serving the interests of different agents (Hartman 68). A person who is entitled to specific interests can therefore use this information to improve the best character.
The article encourages academicians and scholars to consider various learning materials that can assist learners in developing admirable character. This approach will empower and encourage them to apply the newly-developed character in different situations. The learners will also choose the best working environments that promise to protect their moral values and characters. The information gained from the article can therefore help more people embrace the power of business ethics. The approach will play a positive role towards transforming the world (Hartman 79). I will read more articles and interact with business ethicists in order to develop desirable character traits. Such ideas will support my professional and personal objectives.
Work Cited
Hartman, Edwin. “Can We Teach Character? An Aristotelian Answer.” Academy of Management Learning & Education 5.1 (2006): 68-81. Print.