The Ethics of Teaching Business Ethics: a Reflective Dialogue

Bruce Macfarlane; Joe DesJardins; Diannah Lowry

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The Ethics of Teaching Business Ethics: a Reflective Dialogue

Bruce Macfarlane

City University, London, UK

Joe DesJardins

College of St. Benedict, St John’s University, USA

Diannah Lowry

Flinders University, Australia

Volume 1 Issue 1: 2004, pp. 43-54; ABSTRACT

This paper takes the form of a reflective dialogue between three teachers of business ethics working in different continents. Originating as a conference debate, it takes as its theme the notion of ideological ‘neutrality’ and the role of the business ethics teacher. A position statement outlines an argument for ‘restraint’ as a modern day Aristotleian mean to protect student academic freedom. Two responses follow. The first of these provides a moderate advocacy position based on Socratic principles. The second response outlines the notion of teaching as a relational process necessitating delayed disclosure and moral courage on the part of the teacher. The paper concludes with a brief reflection by the author of the position statement.