The New York Times

August 23, 2002

Money, Ethics and the M.B.A.

To the Editor:

If, as Robert Prentice says ("An Ethics Lesson for Business Schools," Op-Ed, Aug. 20), business professors tend to "view the law as an impediment" and "impart to their students an impression that the law exists simply to be manipulated or evaded," we will undoubtedly continue to see a stream of ethical lapses and abuses in corporate America.

Indeed, it is not easy to teach ethical values to college students, but ethical training will be more effective if those who provide the instruction genuinely believe in what they teach.  
M. R.
Rumson, N.J., Aug. 20, 2002
The writer is an associate professor of psychology, St. John's University.

To the Editor:

Re "An Ethics Lesson for Business Schools," by Robert Prentice (Op-Ed, Aug. 20):

As a chief executive for more than 40 years, I watched our best and brightest come out of business schools and enter industry, government and Wall Street. I have come to the conclusion that most should have taken another class: "Stop Gaming the System."

Responsible capitalism needs no more lawyers and legal training. It needs people who play by the rules.  
J. S.
Port Washington, N.Y., Aug. 21, 2002

To the Editor:

As a late-1980's graduate of Harvard Business School, I agree with Robert Prentice (Op-Ed, Aug. 20) that good ethics cannot be taught at business school but rather are acquired (or not) at a young age from parental and community influences.

When I was at Harvard, ethics courses were optional, and I observed that the students who enrolled in the classes were those who needed them least. And when ethical issues were raised in other case discussions, it was evident that students' points of view were fairly well set.

Having worked for years in the heavily regulated pharmaceutical industry, I can vouch for the need to have a healthy understanding and respect for the law, frustrating as it can be at times.  
R.A.S.
New Providence, N.J.
Aug. 20, 2002

To the Editor:

Re "An Ethics Lesson for Business Schools," by Robert Prentice (Op-Ed, Aug. 20): As a consultant in business ethics, I have told executives, "I can't make your employees ethical, but I can give them good reasons why they ought to be."

Here's a major difference between business ethics and business law. It is human nature to try to bend the rules and search for loopholes. But when it comes to the question of why business people should obey the law, they usually get one answer: obey or go to jail.

This is a powerful message, but there are better answers, like considerations of justice and the need for character, integrity and honor in our daily lives.  
R. J. R.
West Haven, Conn., Aug. 21, 2002
The writer is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of New Haven.

To the Editor:

Robert Prentice (Op-Ed, Aug. 20) says fewer business people would go to jail if more M.B.A. students learned business law. Here is all the business law M.B.A. students need to know: Thou shalt not steal.  
B. X. B.
Chicago, Aug. 20, 2002
The writer is an M.B.A. candidate at the University of Chicago.

To the Editor:

Robert Prentice says it is difficult to teach ethical values to hardened M.B.A. candidates (Op-Ed, Aug. 20). If so, perhaps admissions committees should revise their criteria to favor candidates who possess a genuine commitment to altruism, and who are mindful of the negative consequences of unfettered capitalism.

Accepting more applicants who view business as an instrument of social change, and not just a vehicle to personal wealth, could shape the future business world and the world at large in a profoundly positive way.  
B. Z.

Bryn Mawr, Pa., Aug. 20, 2002