business law ethics individual assignment

BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTName of student: Vương Tấn ĐạtRoll Number: CS161064Class: BA1604Topic 4 “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledgewithout

BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

Name of student: Vương Tấn Đạt Roll Number: CS161064 Class: BA1604

Topic 4 “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful” - Samuel Johnson Write an

essay/ or IA to comment on this statement

Can Tho, 2023

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TABLE OF CONTENT

BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS

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I ABSTRACT

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II INTRODUCTION

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C The relationship between integrity and knowledge 7

1 Interaction between Integrity and Knowledge: A Mutual Relationship 7

3 Straightforward consequences without knowledge 8

4 The danger of dishonest knowledge

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B Cyber security and intellectual property 11

D Poor Business Decisions

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V INTEGRATE INTEGRITY AND KNOWLEDGE 12

A Balanced Approach: Integrating Integrity and Knowledge: 12

B The role of enhancing integrity and knowledge

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VI CONCLUSION 13

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I ABSTRACT

Samuel Johnson's assertion, "Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful," underscores the profound interplay between integrity and knowledge This individual assignment scrutinizes Johnson's statement, delving into the intricate relationship between these two pillars of character

II INTRODUCTION

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was one of the most famous writers, editors, and lexicographers in English literature He is considered one of the important authors of the 18th century and has left a major mark on many fields of literature and linguistics Samuel Johnson's notable contributions include: The first English-English dictionary (1755) Author of "The Rambler" and "The Idler", the novel "Rasselas” (1759)

Samuel Johnson offered insight into the intertwined relationship between integrity and knowledge when he declared: “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is weak and useless dangerous and scary.” summarizes a basic truth about the relationship between these two qualities Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles It is not only concerned with honesty but encompasses the whole range of moral values and also includes the strength to stand firm in defense of these values, ethics and principles However, as soon as we are born, the first thing we acquire is knowledge, not integrity We exist based on knowledge and its application But as the quote suggests, what good is it to possess something that has no virtue? Integrity and knowledge are often seen as separate qualities, but they are inextricably linked and their interaction is important for personal and social development This essay aims to explore the importance of ethics and knowledge, how they

complement each other, and the consequences of their absence

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III INTEGRITY AND KNOWLEDGE

A The Importance of Knowledge

Knowledge is the foundation of human progress, the acquisition of information, facts and skills that help people understand the world, solve problems and make informed decisions Knowledge empowers people, promoting personal growth, innovation and progress It is the foundation of education, science and technology, promoting the development of society Simply put, knowledge is the key to human development and insight And through knowledge we understand the world, its complexity and its potential Knowledge equips individuals with the tools to make informed decisions, solve problems, and navigate through the complex aspects of life It encourages critical thinking, creativity and flexibility As we accumulate knowledge, we have the ability to shape our environment, overcome challenges, and contribute to the betterment of society Knowledge - The Empowerment of Understanding:

Knowledge, as we have discussed, plays an important role in providing knowledge and information necessary for personal and social development Knowledge carries with it the ability to know, understand and evaluate a wide range of information, from scientific knowledge to culture and history This provides the ability for individuals to better understand the world and make informed decisions

A good example of the power of knowledge can be seen in solving the problem of climate change Scientific knowledge about climate change provides the data and

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theoretical basis for understanding why and how climate change is occurring Thanks to this knowledge, governments, NGOs and individuals can make smart decisions about how to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the environment

A person with knowledge and integrity can make a positive impact on society For example, a doctor with integrity and knowledge can provide excellent medical care to patients, while a journalist with integrity and knowledge can provide accurate news Integrity refers to having strong moral principles and being honest and having integrity

in one's actions However, without knowledge, integrity alone may not be enough to make informed decisions or contribute effectively It implies that integrity needs to be supported

by knowledge to be truly valuable

B The importance of integrity

In contrast, integrity involves moral values and ethics that guide an individual's actions Ethics include honesty, fairness and commitment to principles and values, even when it is uncomfortable or difficult Ethics builds trust and encourages positive relationships, both

in personal and professional contexts Ethics are the foundation of a just and ethical society

And ethics is the map of our conscience that guides our actions It is the quality of being honest, principled and ethical Ethics is not just about following a set of rules; it demonstrates an individual's commitment to ethical behavior even in the absence of external oversight Ethics is the foundation for building trust and reputation

Integrity - The Moral Compass

Integrity, a fundamental aspect of personal ethics, plays an important role in

determining where one stands in the moral world It is the moral example within each individual, guiding them through ethical decisions in life Integrity not only refers to

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doing the right thing but also involves knowing what is right and wrong This requires a deep understanding and awareness of ethical and social issues

A concrete example of the importance of integrity can be seen in the business sector A businessman with strong ethics will always adhere to etic rules in business transactions, leading to respect and trust of partners and customers They will not engage in fraudulent

or deceptive practices and will always promote the importance of honesty and

transparency in business However, when morality exists without knowledge, the person can become naive and easily taken advantage of This individual may rely on ethics without a clear understanding of the long-term consequences of his or her actions, and this may lead to unrealistic or failed business decisions

On the other hand, knowledge without integrity can be dangerous and terrible Knowledge without ethical principles or ethical considerations can lead to misuse or harm It highlights the potential negative consequences of possessing knowledge without

a sense of responsibility or ethical behavior

C The relationship between integrity and knowledge

1 Interaction between Integrity and Knowledge: A Mutual Relationship

Integrity and knowledge are not independent qualities; they are closely related A person may possess knowledge, but if they lack integrity, they may misuse that

knowledge for personal gain or harmful purposes This highlights the dangers of knowledge without moral guidance Conversely, integrity without the knowledge to shape their decisions can lead to actions that are well-intentioned but not grounded in

knowledge

People with both knowledge and integrity have the tools to make wise and ethical decisions, applying an understanding of truth and principle to act for the good of society

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They are ready to solve complex problems, face challenges, and contribute positively to their communities

2 Risk of Lack of Balance

When integrity and knowledge are asymmetrical, the consequences can be very serious Unethical knowledge can lead to misuse of technology, abuse of power or passivity of harmful ideas History has seen individuals use their knowledge to hurt others, from unethical scientific experimentation to the development of devastating weapons

On the other hand, integrity lacking knowledge can lead to well-intentioned decisions without the knowledge to form them This can lead to fixation on beliefs, prejudices and resistance to change Without the clarity of knowledge, individuals can easily be influenced and misinformed

3 Straightforward consequences without knowledge

Ignorance is one of the main limitations of relying on ethics without a foundation of knowledge Strong ethics cannot replace rigorous knowledge of the issues facing the individual For example, a person of strong integrity but lacking legal knowledge may fail

to recognize the legal aspects of a situation This can lead to making decisions that are ethical but not legal, with all the negative consequences that entails

Additionally, when integrity exists without a deep understanding of society and culture,

it can lead to ignorance and pressure in dealing with complex situations Individuals may

be limited in how they perceive and interact with the world around them, due to not having the knowledge to deeply understand social diversity, cultures and different perspectives The result may be that solidarity in facing social challenges and decisions will be limited and may even cause conflict

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In an increasingly complex and diverse world, a balance between ethics and knowledge becomes essential to ensure that individuals not only make ethical decisions, but also have knowledge and understanding enough to understand the consequences and importance of those decisions This demonstrates once again that integrity and knowledge cannot exist independently and need to merge harmoniously to ensure personal growth and the betterment of society

For example, a person with integrity may be honest, but without knowledge, they cannot make informed decisions A politician with integrity but no knowledge of economics can introduce policies that are detrimental to the country's economy

4 The danger of dishonest knowledge

However, the need for integrity cannot be overlooked in the application of knowledge One of the best examples of the need for integrity when using knowledge is the use of personal information in the digital environment Technology companies have knowledge

of users' personal information, but if they lack ethics, they can use this information improperly, violating privacy rights and causing harm to individuals

Furthermore, knowledge has no limits and can be applied for many different purposes, including non-moral purposes It can be clearly seen in the field of military technology, where the knowledge of creating powerful weapons can lead to terrible consequences if not accompanied by the right ethics in deciding to use that knowledge

Knowledge, when divorced from integrity, can become a dangerous tool Individuals who possess knowledge without a strong sense of ethical principles may be susceptible to misuse or abuse of their intellectual abilities They may manipulate information, deceive others, or engage in unethical activities for personal gain or to further their own agendas

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Misuse of this knowledge can have far-reaching consequences, eroding trust, damaging and destroying the social fabric

Furthermore, knowledge without integrity can lead to a lack of critical thinking and ethical analysis When individuals prioritize the pursuit of knowledge without considering the ethical implications, they risk becoming disconnected from the consequences of their actions This separation can lead to a disregard for social values, leading to the promotion

of harmful ideologies or the perpetuation of injustices

For example, scientists and researchers must have integrity when conducting their research They must be honest in their findings and not manipulate the data to get the desired results However, when knowledge is used to deceive people, it can be very dangerous

An example is the case of Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos She claims to have developed a device that can diagnose many diseases with just a drop of blood Her claims were based on false data and her lack of integrity led to the company's collapse and criminal charges

IV ISSUES IN MODERN BUSINESS

Modern business always has many unpredictable problems, so having both knowledge and ethics will be the foundation to solve all problems in the most effective way And knowledge and ethics cannot be overlooked Knowledge is the foundation for

understanding markets, industries, and business rules It helps businesses create good products and services, make smart decisions, and meet customer needs However, ethics sets a correct and transparent working framework It ensures that business decisions and conduct are carried out fairly, honestly and lawfully Combining knowledge and ethics, businesses can make profits transparently, build reputation and credit in the market,

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improve performance and innovation, as well as contribute to sustainable development of society society and the environment

However, as Samuel Johnson stated, lack of either morality or knowledge will cause serious consequences

A Corruption

Having business knowledge can enable individuals or businesses to recognize and take advantage of corruption opportunities For example, they may know how to use power or money to obtain illegal favors from government officials or business partners

Corruption often leads to injustice, undermines healthy competition, and can have negative consequences for society and business, including loss of reputation, financial impact, and interference under the law To prevent corruption, it is necessary to promote ethical standards, increase transparency and oversight, and promote social responsibility

in business

B Cyber security and intellectual property

Having knowledge but lacking ethics in modern business can lead to many

cybersecurity problems A lack of ethics can lead to the collection and use of users' personal information illegally or without their consent, violating their privacy rights They can also use bad strategies for creating and spreading false or malicious information online, causing harm to customers or competitors Or using technical knowledge to attack

or penetrate a competitor's network, causing harm cause damage and violate the law

C Fraud

Integrity alone is not enough for the development and smooth operation of a business

In the modern context too, we can see that there are always problems that always force us

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