Marven B. Policarpio
ITETHIC
10562087
Book Review: Paradigms and Parables
“The Ten Commandments of Ethics in Business”
By: Brother Louise DeThomasis, FSC William Ammentorp, Ph.D.
Chapter 1:
Paradigms and Parables: Managing Change in the Nineties
Basically, this chapter serves as an introduction and an out view on what the book is all about. On the first pages of the book, it talks about the history of the Americans in the decades of 1980’s. It was the time when the United States is trying to develop its way to major changes and improvements; they believed that it’s their time to change their system because they see it wrong. They are now forming new management thinking required in order put the American dream back on its track.
In this chapter, there was a portion which I really liked; it was entitled as “We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us”- I agree that our enemy is ourself, WE ARE THE ENEMY because we tend to fight and argue with ourself by looking only in the financial aspect of what life brings us. We should be independent enough to think and to face our action’s consequences in order for us to improve. In every battle that we face, we should put in mind that victory is very important and a must for us to gain an importance to the society.
On the later part of the chapter, “The Ten Commandments of Ethics in Business” was revealed. Here are the Ten Commandments:
I. Talk the Talk of Social Justice.
II. Walk the walk of social action.
III. Put people on the bottom line of corporate calculation.
IV. Do right yourself, don’t leave it to God.
V. Do what is ethical, and you will do good business.
VI. Let your work integrate faith and finance.
VII. Cast aside the symbols of individuality and define yourself by consequences of your action.
VIII. Recognize that economy, opportunity and social justice are the legs which society stands.
IX. Give the extravagant gift of your commitment to social justice.
X. Remember: Peace and Prosperity in all the worlds are created by ethical business practice.
Chapter 2:
Talking the Talk: Social Justice
To make the long story short, I would like to reflect about “The Parable of the Price.” Norah, as an example for us to understand things much better, a worker on a trading company has her own garden of apples. She brings one of these to her office everyday and consumes this during her break time. Her assistant Bradlee once questioned her why she bothers to plant her own garden of apples where in fact she can buy them instead at a cheaper price. Bradlee, told her that it more cheaply and convenient for her than to plant it for herself, Brandlee thinks that Norah’s actions are not wise enough. But then Norah answered him and proved him wrong. Norah told him that buying one is more expensive that making one. In buying one these the government adds more expenses like taxes and subsidiary, where as the apple of Norah is her fruit of labor and her expenses of her own.
With this example, yes, it is true that we have the freedom in choosing our own decisions; we should be wise enough to know the right and the wrong. Through this chapter it conveys a message that we should try to help one another by sharing your ideas and knowledge with them. We should know our systems works for us to choose the right thing.
Chapter 3:
The Parable of Ethical Actions
In this Chapter, it is putting to action on what commandment number one is all about. After you do some talking it is a must to put it in actions. We all know that actions are more difficult that words. Actions are very risky when it comes to business.
As a new generation of business leaders set out, they must make a sense of direction. They should provide and support systems of their own. A direction comes within, it is when you truly believe in yourself that you can do better and you will be the best. As I’ve said earlier in chapter two; I agree that we have the right to decide when it comes to business matter. And for that we should make ourselves ready for our decisions consequences.
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