Various philosophers taught the world about ethics, morality, and human perspectives. Such schooling centered on treating people decently, whether as servants or masters. Individuals needed to coexist in their societies in ways that taught them the value of goodwill, which extended to the tasks they performed for one another. These teachings generated differing perspectives on human nature and the world, with some rejecting and others obeying them. C. S. Lewis addresses topics that society should be aware of in his book Mere Christianity. To better appreciate these arguments, this paper identifies significant points, explains why he used them, and elaborates on their significance to the twenty-first-century corporate world. Lewis wanted people to have uniform views of characters in all circumstances in the world. An example in this is the law of human nature, which points to a standard conduct (Lewis 2009, p. 3). He adds that people ask somewhat obvious questions that they expect everyone to have answers. Two sides exist in this view; first, the person asking the question knows that the recipient understands the correct societal behaviors. The recipient may protest or accept to some moral value and ignore others. These are the contentions Lewis speaks about. An individual may understand the question asked, has the general worldview and confirms by acting according to the request. Another individual does not consent to the demands efficiently, stressing that the world has different characters, irrespective of the standards set.
In business, ethics and morals of trade exist, which all the practitioners must hold on to have a smooth relationship between themselves and the customers. Some people engage in malicious activities that may harm the consumers. However, the interest a businessperson should have is both personal and stretches to benefit the customers. This standpoint is spot-on for the world to be complete. Individuals learn to gauge the moral ideas and the moral values they must obey. Individuals should then examine if they would be comfortable with what they do to others if they were in similar situations and needed services.
Laws that guide humanity are in three categories, as Lewis (2009) points out (p. 5). Human beings are reminded of the best ways of handling these laws by the frequent occurrences in their lives. Two laws that are impossible to disobey are the laws of nature and biology. Lewis (2009 p.5) adds that these are beyond the resistance of man. An example is the force of gravity, which does not allow people and objects to stay above the atmosphere. A twist in Lewis’s discussions comes when he identifies the controversial way of handling the human-generated laws. He laments that human beings have a tendency to choose the rules they can obey and that they can disobey. These depend on place, time, people and effects of the laws. To intensify his point, he speaks of marriage, which allows men to marry more than one woman but limits a married man from having any woman he likes (Lewis, 2009, p. 6). This controversy is also visible in businesses that people handle in the 21st Century.
In the current business world, people set the rules to follow, such as minimum pricing. In the event of little supervision from recognized bodies, most businesspersons disobey this law and work beyond what they feel can benefit them. Compare this to the man who is attracted to several women. He thinks the gathering more women will fulfill his interests. The same applies to a businessperson, whom despite the agreed laws on trade prices, goes above board to set his prices. If it were a law of nature that subjects people to having only one wife, it would not raise more debate and concern as it does now. However, it is a weakness in human beings to set their laws and choose if they want to obey them or not.
Questions of comfort arise in moral actions and values. Most people do not find laws on morality appealing to them. A few people follow these keenly but wish that they ceased to exist. Failure of most people is to identify the reasons why the rules are set. A close look at the world presents different behaviors of individuals. Human beings disobey different norms and laws. In his submissions, Lewis identifies morality education and teachings as an equivalent of motor oil that prevents much friction as the vehicle moves. The unfortunate case for human beings is the little vision for the rules as the deterrents to their abrasions. They think it is an imposed law to make their lives difficult and rough (Lewis, 2009, p. 69). However, it is simple to compare these to the instructions given to machine users. Instructions manuals are full of “do's and do not,” with the only aim at making the engine last longer and reduce its problems. For human beings, they do not accept these laws and carry similar attitudes to businesses.
Every time there are new rules for business people, a handful of them protest. Business regulations are to ensure humane practices of economic activities to their customers. One example is the laws that bar traders from engaging in selling drugs. Drugs are sensitive products cause damage to human body and life if wrongly used. That is a reason why they are to be handled by few qualified members from the pharmacy institutions. If permission is given to everyone, chaotic practices will emerge and cause unimaginable harm. Such a case informs people to have a view of the laws as guides and not barricades to the freedoms and enjoyment of their lives.
Finally, counting the cost of morality and the pertaining ethical values proves to be challenging for most people. Individuals have a tendency to observe only, that which benefits them. In other cases, people ask for help only in their lowest moments. Lewis (2009, p. 202) warns that this approach is unsuitable for human beings. People should grow fully by exercising all that the institution of morality teaches. He (Lewis p.202) highlights a case of a repenting Christian who is guilty of sin. He adds an illustration of masturbation, which several people may want to heal from. His advice is to people to consider the global institution of morality, and make the right steps to attaining the best life without being choosy. Just as Christians are advised on the needs of having God to avoid sin, is the same way they should observe all the laws to avoid being in trouble with some. These are the same cases in the current business world. No person should entertain some immorality by choosing only a few to observe. In the end, these concepts remain connected to the all human beings and societies. Nobody is an exception.
In conclusion, the teachings of morality by Lewis are clear and connect to the current business world. The values vary from one context to another. He points to a few moral issues and concepts like uniform views of all the laws. Individuals should all understand that the society sets the standards of life and ethical practices. He connects these to the types of laws people can obey and those they choose not to. Human rules are the easiest to follow or obey, while those defined by nature or forces beyond us remain as they are. It is also apparent the discomfort that moral values subject most people to. The factors in his book, Mere Christianity, connect to more real-life situations in business. If people understood them, the world could be an interesting place to stay in. It I a warning to people to observe and practice these ideas as he and other philosophers point.
Reference
Lewis, C. S. (2009). Mere Christianity. New York, NY. HarperCollins.
