Since this was a new and somewhat controversial required
course-and the responses were anonymous- the instructor was not
surprised to receive a few cynical responses. For the most part, how-
ever, students gave sincere, if quickly written, answers. She noted that
the “admirable businesspeople” tended to be admired either because
they had donated a great deal of money to good causes or because
headed “clean” companies, enterprises specializing in environmentally
or socially benevolent practices or products. The instructor’s definition
of “ethical role models” was both broader and more demanding than
either of these common responses. However, she was able to use these
responses as the basis for the first serious class discussion.