Putting ethics before profit

“Bad Business” by Seamus Murphy SJ is one of three articles in the March 2010 issue of Working Notes, entitled ‘A New Economic Paradigm?’ This article focuses on the importance of prioritising ethics above profit. Murphy maintains that the economic crisis highlighted the lack of moral integrity among bankers, property developers and other business people. He argues that in the absence of a perfect economic system and with government unable to ensure ethical practice, we rely on companies, banks and other economic agents to create a culture in the business world that maintains moral values. This issue of Working Notes also carries an article exploring a new economic model by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ and an article outlining the potential role of co-operatives in economic recovery by Dermot McKenna SJ. View this issue and all previous Working Notes articles on the JCFJ website. Hard copies also available.