Mehr als Profit: Zur Ethik eines humanen Wirtschaftens

Hannover

2004

S. 489-492

5 Lit. Ang.

Artikel aus einer ZeitschriftUnselbständiges Werk

200118489

Since innumerable cultures share the same world, their coinhabitance and interactions must meet mutually accepted values. We need a set of global values - by which we would all be governed - as everyone is now a world citizen. By taking a look at the different cultures and eras, you will discover a rich heritage common to all mankind. An economy can only be called humane, when it is oriented on these fundamental values. However: in view of its responsibility towards society - namely maintaining the high level of social and ecological forest functions - commercial forestry must achieve sustainable profits. To achieve the manifold tasks and objectives, sustainable forestry must be optimized, rather than maximizing an "island or plot" approach. Maximizing economical use does not necessarily lead to the maximized ecological and social factors. The commercial sector is a target-oriented process, whereby one first defines the final goal and then back-tracks to determine the necessary steps, define and action plan and ensure that it is carried out. The goal can lie either in producing or acting. The latter requires the competences "intelligence" (intelligent is, who promotes his own well-being) and "justice" (just is, who recognizes the justified needs of others). Justice demands saving at three levels: - "Conserving" not only resources, but also institutions. - "Investing" of capital, infrastructure and future technologies. - "Preventing" economical, social, cultural and ecological disasters. Responsible forestry means sustaining forests for our children and childrens' children, while at the same time, ensuring global competitiveness via material and economical technology. However, society is a co-sharer in this responsibility, since forest functions contribute to public well-being.