According to Figure 5.1, a normative reason for business to be ethical is to promote personal morality.

According to Figure 5.1, a normative reason for business to be ethical is to promote personal morality.

• A. To maximize profits
• B. To promote personal morality
• C. To comply with regulations
• D. To improve market share

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is a normative justification for why a business should be ethical: ethics in business is seen as a way to promote personal morality in the people involved. This view treats ethical behavior as something that ought to be encouraged because it shapes character and moral development. When the workplace consistently models fairness, honesty, and responsibility, individuals internalize those values and carry them into other aspects of life, not just on the job. So the normative rationale isn’t about chasing profits, following rules, or gaining market power; it’s about cultivating moral character through business practice. The other options describe instrumental or legal reasons—profit considerations, regulatory compliance, or competitive outcomes—which are important but they’re not the moral justification that emphasizes forming personal morality in individuals.

The main idea here is a normative justification for why a business should be ethical: ethics in business is seen as a way to promote personal morality in the people involved. This view treats ethical behavior as something that ought to be encouraged because it shapes character and moral development. When the workplace consistently models fairness, honesty, and responsibility, individuals internalize those values and carry them into other aspects of life, not just on the job. So the normative rationale isn’t about chasing profits, following rules, or gaining market power; it’s about cultivating moral character through business practice.

The other options describe instrumental or legal reasons—profit considerations, regulatory compliance, or competitive outcomes—which are important but they’re not the moral justification that emphasizes forming personal morality in individuals.