"... as we have moved into the digital age, I am concerned that some of our time-tested values have been left behind. In the past year, we've seen our nation's financial pillars crumble, and not because we have a deficit of talented people.
I would suggest there is one common thread: a deficit of ethics.
There is a complete disconnect with our nation's best and brightest. They have been taught to be brilliant on Wall Street without concern for their impact on Main Street. Whether in business, politics or community affairs, correcting this deficit of ethics is just as important as overcoming our economic struggles."
This is a profound statement for a governor of any state to make. This statement required insight and foresight and begins to define the problem so that a solution can be created.
Why would an architect be concerned about Wall Street ethics? Besides the curiosity of solving problems, a sizeable portion of large projects designed by architects in the recent past have been financed through means that are not traditional banking. And, most architects have experienced this phenomenon described as a deficit of ethics in the course of day to day business. The reality is that this problem is not only relegated to Wall Street, but is pervasive throughout our culture.
To really get to the heart of the matter, understanding the value of ethics is important.
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University, defines ethics as:
1. motivation based on ideas of right and wrong [syn: ethical motive]
2. the philosophical study of moral values and rules
The above two definitions of the word ethics are very interesting. The first description is based in motivation and the second is based in philosophy. Both deal with right and wrong, and moral values, but the two definitions set up a potential inherent conflict. Is motivation more important than moral values? Ethics merge our values with our motivations to work as an instrument of checks and balances. Ethics is similar to a conscience for business.
Architects hold a unique position in the design and construction world as representative of the owner, creator of the project, and arbiter of the construction process. This position allows an architect to see many sides of the business world. There are good people in every aspect of business and most follow good ethical practices. In the past few years, by far the largest representation of a deficit of ethics in my business has come from the financial community.
Usually, found hidden within a large contract from a financial institution is a benign clause that asks the architect or contractor to accept responsibility, risk and liability that belongs with the owner or the financier. The intention of this benign clause is to either project fear or sniff out ignorance and allow the financial institution to reduce the risk that is theirs to carry. These types of clauses show up in all kinds of contracts.
Some would say that there is no harm in asking for someone to take on these liabilities. They would say that the architect or general contractor has the right to refuse. The problem is that this approach is just wrong and even the people asking the questions know that it is wrong. Can you ask someone to accept something that you know they should not accept, to accept something that may cause undue harm? This type of question is not much different than extortion and it is common practice in financial and contractual spheres. It is also an indicator of an ethical failure. There is no reason that a person's business ethics should be different than their personal ethics.
The fact that a governor is willing to address this issue as a point in a speech as important as the state of the state, gives me hope. It provides a glimpse into the future. A future where those that have gained great knowledge don't use their knowledge to gain advantage by hurting others, but by helping others. This is the way knowledge will be used through the Progression. The use of knowledge will evolve, as a result of our changing values. The change will occur in the same values that are the basis of our ethics.
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