Business Ethics: The Quest for Meaning, Fulfillment and Happiness in Vocational Life

Choosing a career is intimately tied to our ideas of a meaningful and fulfilling life. Not only is this a topic that is rarely addressed in formal learning and educational settings, but it is also very easy to lose sight of our larger ethical and existential motivations amid the hustle and bustle of professional life. Moreover, since the fulfillment of professional duties regularly involves confronting conflict, stress, failure, and misfortune, our vocational lives inevitably entail challenges to our wellbeing and sense of purpose. At the same time, our economic activities also offer opportunities to make a special contribution to a successful, flourishing life both for ourselves as well as for those our work affects. After all, through our economic activities, we also inevitably contribute to shaping our shared democratic way of life.

Unlike legal norms and regulated professional tasks and forms of work, one cannot universally convey what it means to lead a meaningful, fulfilled, and happy life. Respect for dignity in a democratic, pluralistic society even prohibits fixing on a specific conception of what constitutes the good life for individuals. It is therefore up to each individual to define the contours, objectives, and content of their own vision of happiness. This seminar provides an opportunity to do just this.