Teaching ethics in the fractured state

A recent conference had as a theme, Ethics in the Fractured State. That theme presumes that there is a fractured state – if not everywhere then somewhere, if not now, then soon. This paper looks at the nature of the fracture and at the implications for the teaching of ethics. Three important lines of fracture – plural, secular, anti-business – are considered in the paper, each described and distinguished separately. The fracture makes ethics more relevant not only in business schools but also in professional faculties such as engineering and pharmacy. The recent rise in anti-business sentiment and its potential impact for the teaching of ethics, especially business and professional ethics, is discussed. The focus is on the implications for the teaching of applied ethics.