Using Stories to Teach Business Ethics – Developing Character through Examples of Admirable Actions

People have long recognized thatknowing and doing are vastly different. Aperson might be skilled in abstract moralreasoning and do it brilliantly in a classroomsetting but act despicably in everyday matters. Instructing students in ethical principles andmoral reasoning skills is one thing. Increasing their desires to act ethically andto behave in admirable ways is something else. This paper advocates an ancient method of moraleducation that contemporary methods overshadow: the telling of stories. Examples of peopleacting ethically, behaving heroically in a seaof temptations, show young minds what idealslook like in practice and encourage theselearners to act admirably themselves. Anecdotes of moral truths in action appeal tothe mind and the heart, instructing theintellect and increasing the desire to emulatewhat civilization has come to honor as rightand good.