Working Ethically in Finance Clarifying Our Vocation

To develop a vocation we ask: what do I want to be remembered for? It involves aspiring to personal integrity and a life well lived. Those of us working in the financial sector fulfill our vocations by finding ways to serve its social purposes, which is to allocate resources efficiently and to provide financial security–not forgetting the needy. This means contributing to institutions, where people can flourish personally, and creating appropriate products and services. The ethics of those working on finding their vocation do not flow from rules and obligations, but from a personal commitment to seeking the really good life. This life is based on the fundamental personal virtue, which is integrity. It is concerned with building well, tying our thinking to our words and actions, our work to our motivations and to intrinsic rewards, and means to ends everywhere. The book is written for those who aspire to the cultivation of the virtues of wisdom, self-control and courage–to develop ourselves and protect ourselves from the intrusion of others–and justice, which is the social virtue that underlies flourishing communities based on mutual respect. We need communal structures and regulations to help us, but these are better if they are less rule orientated, are forgiving, and aimed at bringing out the best in people. The current flaws in the financial system of overcharging, over-servicing, and recklessness are unjust, but can and are being addressed by those who rise to the challenge of finding their virtuous vocations.