Taking Ethics Seriously

Taking Ethics Seriously, Why Ethics Is An Essential Tool For the Modern Workplace by John Hooker, Productivity Press 2018 

 When we hear angry tweets and claims of "fake news," alongside felony and misdemeanor convictions, that's a sign that whatever template we have for ethical behavior is endangered.  That's why John Hooker's book is refreshingly useful and helps us approach questions of ethics.  In fact, in his Chapter 5, "Everyday Dilemmas," he helps us see clear examples of common ethical challenges.  For instance, in his opening question on boarding the plane he asks, " Is it okay for me to board the plane before my zone is announced, so I can find space for my carry-on bag?"  Or how about "The Boss's Travel Expenses," a minefield for some employees, which Hooker calls a small case of internal whistleblowing.  Any and every response will produce a serious reaction.  What to do?

The author presents readers with a framework covering all these small daily occurences as well as bigger political ones.  He says "We need ethics to build social infrastructure that, like physical infrastructure, is vital to getting anything done.  Simplistic platitudes cannot accomplish this.  Only a sophisticated and subtle intellectual framework can guide us through the complexities of today's world.  The book develops such a framework and equips you to use it."

The book offers numerous illustrations of ethical reasoning that will resonate with readers:

What kind of content should a social networking site allow to be posted?

Is it ethical to source products from low-wage factories?

Should one report a coworker who is padding his or her expense account?

How frank must advertising be about the limitations of a product?

Is it ethical to advertise pharmaceuticals to the general public?

When should a defective product be recalled?

Is surge pricing ethical for companies like Uber and Lyft?

Intended to help C-level executives, senior HR execs, organizational psychologists, and business ethics students understand and deal with conflicts that arise in the workplace and everyday life, Taking Ethics Seriously is a great foundation book for book clubs and team meetings.  It's good to know that these questions can be dealt with in a logical framework with somewhat predictable outcomes.