SY 2017 – 2018, 2nd SEMESTER

3rd QUARTER
Jan. 3-5, 2018
MAKATI CAMPUS
RESOURCE TEACHER
Ms. Shella M. Agustin

SUBJECT BUSINESS ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Classical Philosophies and their Implications on Business

DESIRED OUTCOMES
1. Identify the classical philosophies and their implication for business principles
and practices
2. Compare and contrast classical philosophies as they relate to the business
settings.
VALUE FOCUS Appreciate the implication of teachings of different classical
philosophers to business organization.
CONTENT FOCUS Enumerate the teaching of Classical philosophers namely
Socrates (The Gad-fly at the Market Place), Plato (The
Philosopher King), Aristotle (All or Nothing), Immanuel Kant
(Duty-based Ethics), Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
(Utilitarianism) and its implication to business organization.
SKILL FOCUS Recite the comparison and contrast each classical philosophy
as they relate to the business setting.
RESOURCES/ Jerusalem, Violeta L., et al. (2017). Business Ethics and Social
REFERENCES Responsibility. FASTBOOKS Educational Supply, Inc. Sampaloc,
Manila
MOTIVATION/OPENING
 Start the day with a prayer.
 Showing pictures of some famous people and share their
ideas on the contribution of each to the society.
 Socrates
 Plato
 Aristotle
PROCEDURE DISCUSSION/PRACTICE
 Discussion through PowerPoint Presentation.
Classical philosophies and their implication for business
principles and practices.
 These philosophers are Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,
Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
The first three are Greeks, the fourth is German, and the
last two are British.
Socrates (469-399 B.C.E )is best known for the Socratic method of

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 question and answer, his claim that he was ignorant , and his
claim that the unexamined life is not worth living, for human
beings.

Socratic Method, entrepreneurs can find value because they, too,

are bombarded by assumptions based on what others and they
themselves believe to be the best plan of action for pursuing a
business idea.

Plato (427-347 B.C.E) is one of the world’s best known and most
widely read and studied philosophers. He identifies education as one
of the most important aspects of a healthy state. He also recognizes
the need to teach children from a young age to live virtuous lives
and to seek wisdom.

In business context, owners and managers must tap the potential as

well as bring out the best in others in this competitive aspect of
business enterprising with concerned citizenship. A business needs
committed, productive employees, agents, and suppliers to create
goods and services.

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) is a towering figure in ancient Greek

philosophy. He was a student of Plato who turn studied under
Socrates. His general framework is that involves looking at character
and virtues, and so can provide important moral guidelines for
distinguishing right from wrong in the world of business. He also
concludes that the role of the leader is to create the environment in
which all members of an organization have the opportunity to realize
their own potential. He says that the ethical role of the leader is not to
enhance his or her own power but to create the conditions under
which followers can achieve their potential.

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) is one of the most influential philosophers

in the history of Western philosophy. In his maxims: each individual act
as a member of an ideal kingdom where he or she is both the ruler
and subject at the same time. It simply means that a set of rules that
are made should treat every individual with respect and dignity. He
stresses the importance of morally motivated actions. Organization
will be able to create a positive working experience.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was an English philosopher and political

radical. He is primarily known today for his moral philosophy,
especially his principle of utilitarianism.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) profoundly influenced the shape of

nineteenth century British thought and political discourse.

Utilitarianism revolves around the concept of “the end justifies the

means “. It is the brainchild of Bentham and Mill. It believes that

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 outcomes as a result of action have a greater value compared to
the latter. It also states that the most ethical thing to do is to take
advantage of happiness for the good of the society.

In utilitarianism, the business principle holds the morally right course of

action in any situation is the one that produces the greatest balance
for the benefits over harms for everyone affected. So long as a
course of action produces maximum benefits for everyone,
utilitarianism does not care whether the benefits are produced from
lies, manipulation, or coercion.

An example of utilitarianism is a pharmaceutical company releasing

a drug that has been governmentally approved with known side
effects because the drug is able to help more people than are
bothered by the minor side effects.

There are two types of utilitarianism, namely rule utilitarianism and act
utilitarianism.

Rule utilitarianism is put in place to benefit the most people by using

the fairest method possible. There should exists a code of conduct on
how to treat employees.

PROCESSING/SYNTHESIS/ENRICHMENT
 Explain further the terminologies they will encounter.
 Ask questions which is related to the topic.
 Give examples of each topic which each related to real
life situations.
 List the importance of each philosophies to the business
world.
 Group Activity: 5 group with 6-7 members
Make a TimeLine based on the discussion on the
important events/ contribution of each famous people.
 Sharing of reflection on what they understand on the
lesson.
ASSESSMENT/ ASSIGNMENT
 Get a whole sheet of intermediate paper and get ready
for a quiz on The Classical Philosophies and their
Implication on Business.

Checked by: Noted by:

Ms. Tagumpay A. Esguerra Mrs. Regina M. Mapua

Academic Officer Assistant Principal
CEIS/ SHS Makati

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