Moral codes controlling human behavior have existed for thousands of years. These standards have evolved, not only in moral codes, but also in conjunction with religious beliefs.
In ancient Egypt, precepts were established by secular leaders. Their precepts were combined with a strict religion that affected the behavior of all Egyptians.
In Israel, moral behavior was guided by the Judaic religion.
Greek thinkers were the first to speculate about the question of right or wrong. Names such as Socrates, Aristotle and Plato appear as the great philosophers in this period of history.
Early Christian belief focused upon the role of God in achieving good. The early Christians believed that with God's help it was possible to achieve good. Will and intelligence alone were insufficient.
Probably the biggest influence in the business community came from a modern philosopher Charles Darwin. Darwin believed that only the fittest would survive. Thus, many businessed believed that only the fittest will survive in a free enterprise system. Each person in business must look after his/her own interests, period! Although this philosophy might have appeared as a logical business belief, it has provoked much distrust in the public sector. When this occurs, usually what follows is a clamor for strict regulation in order to be sure that the public's best interests are being served.
Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations offered the business community a set of guidelines to follow. Mr. Smith believed in ethics. He believed that business is based on mutual agreements of what constitutes fair exchange. In other words, business could not operate efficiently without its participants paying their debts and living up to there agreed upon contracts. This philosophy, which had been embraced by the business community, stimulated capitalism and its popularity in the United States. Basically, business became a cooperative enterprise and was to be enjoyed by all individuals. In reality, business became a set of ethics.
Kentucky Insurance Continuing Education
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