Thinking Ethics

Punishment of whistle-blowers

The case of private Bradley Manning passing on thousands of documents to WikiLeaks raises important questions that have no clear answers. Depending on where you stand, his behavior lies somewhere between breaching national security and fostering the right to know of the public. He did plead guilty and might stand to receive a life prison sentence, but this raises the issue that these extreme sentences might discourage future whistle-blowers.

A very interesting article on the subject in The New York Times by Floyd Abrams and Yochai Benkler entitled "Death to Whistle-Blowers" shows both sides of the argument and is well worth reading. 

Principles for the responsible investor

Sustainable Finance Geneva has developed the IPRIs, Individual Principles for the Responsible Investor. The three principles are:

I know - inaction carries a price

I apply - investing is making choices

I share - sharing stimulates learning.

Full brochure can be downloaded here. 

What is your social Q ?

Great quiz from McKinsey on Society on finding your socially conscious consumer quotient:

"Global consumers have been flexing their purchasing muscles for political purposes since at least the 18th century. From the Boston Tea Party to Gandhi’s Salt March to today’s campaigns against conflict diamonds and fast food, we present highlights in the history of consumer activism and ask you to decide how you would have responded to each campaign. Based on your answers, we’ll tell you what kind of consumer you are. - See more at: http://voices.mckinseyonsociety.com/the-socially-conscious-consumer/#sthash.gQnJeVHZ.dpuf"

Take the quiz and find out what is your social quotient.