On the Fundamental Importance of Ethical Management

EM leads to a different conception of truth, one that is rooted fundamentally in ethical actions, and may in fact be the most important component of all management systems.

Abstract

Management is the most fundamental of all human activities. This article argues for a new conception of management known as ethical management (EM). EM leads to a different conception of truth, one that is rooted fundamentally in ethical actions. Because most problems of any importance contain significant barriers to the implementation of actions designed to remove the problems, EM is concerned with the discovery, invention, and adaptation of systems of management that attempt to overcome the barriers to ethical actions. One such system is the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Spirituality not only plays a highly important role in AA but more generally in EM. Spirituality may in fact be the most important component of all management systems.