GMAT考试写作指导：Issue写作范文四五

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45.        The speaker claims that following high ethical standards is the best way to
, M$ S$ M4 s$ a/ H8 }6 H1 Fmaximize profits in the long run. However, this claim seems to be more of a normative
statement than an empirical observation. The issue is more complex than the speaker
! I; G: ~9 @1 o( x/ n- V- G& Gsuggests. In my observation, the two objectives at times coincide but at other times
conflict.
0 t( K- N+ K, U1 q5 |; O* r6 j1 X$ M      In many ways behaving ethically can benefit a business. Ethical conduct will gain
a company good reputation that earns repeated business. Treating suppliers, customers
and others fairly is likely to result in their reciprocating. Finally, a company that treats
its employees fairly and with respect will gain their loyalty which, in turn, usually
translates into higher productivity.
; J( j' e" b9 z0 ~      On the other hand, taking the most ethical course of action may in many cases
reduce profits, in the short run and beyond. Consider the details of a merger in which
5 I& j4 x8 J+ s  }  F0 Yboth firms hope to profit from a synergy gained thereby. If the details of the merger
hinge on the ethical conviction that as few employees as possible should lose their jobs,
2 h8 h8 \' v6 Vthe key executives may lose sight of the fact that a leaner, less labor-intensive
& l5 [' U9 n+ u4 o' Y# Forganization might be necessary for long-term survival. Thus, undue concern with
  s6 Q- o: H0 ~' Bethics in this case would results in lower profits and perhaps ultimate business failure.
      This merger scenario points out a larger argument that the speaker misses
entirely—that profit maximization is per se the highest ethical objective in private
business. Why? By maximizing profits, businesses bestow a variety of important
, U9 ?9 A/ t) a! b6 gbenefits on their community and on society: they employ more people, stimulate the
; ]* c, r/ I1 a/ v6 ^7 f9 peconomy, and enhance healthy competition. In short, the profit motive is the key to
, p9 L; o! O$ b; G9 G& ]2 ]' B) iensuring that the members of a free market society survive and thrive. While this
argument might ignore implications for the natural environment and for socio-economic
' \# J; e! k1 I9 @( K* p1 G' njustice, it is a compelling argument nonetheless.
1 c* Y: ~1 a: n" U* L0 R, J      Thus the choice to follow high ethical standards should not be made by thinking
5 t. m0 C/ Q3 z, p1 O, `that ethical conduct is profitable. While in some cases a commitment to high ethical
standards might benefit a company financially, in many cases it will not. In the final
; ~7 N0 v; d) r8 z9 Tanalysis, businesses might best be advised to view their attempts to maximize profits as
% @& Z2 U3 E3 `% ^highly ethical behavior.