Ethical Investment

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Ethical Investment
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Defining Ethical Investment There are many
different definitions of what Ethical investment
entails. Sparkes suggests that it is "an
investment philosophy that combines ethical or
environmental goals with financial ones". "It
seems self-evident that it is morally wrong to
make money out of the arms trade". Or more
emotively "the moral obligation of our
generation as guardians of earth's heritage."
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Moral Relativism The Ethical Investment Research
Information Service (EIRIS) - an independent
research organisation - suggest that "Ethical
Investment means choosing investments that
reflect your values". This avoids the fact that
Sparkes definition implies absolute morality.
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Motivation Behind Ethical Investment Ethical
Investment can help save, or at least change, the
world. Any definition of Ethical investment which
leaves out this motivation is incomplete. An
agent of change By investing ethically we hope
to bring about societal change by investing in
activities that as individuals we perceive will
bring about positive changes to the world.
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• Ethical Investment in Practical Terms
• There are several basic values that most people
  share
• Avoid Causing Illness, Disease Death
• Avoid Destroying or Damaging the Environment
• Avoid Treating Honest People with Disrespect

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Some shocking examples of unethical investment
Edinburgh University have invested money in the
arms trade. Government Pension Scheme has
invested money in tobacco and defensive weapons
companies whilst government ministers have been
openly criticising such companies. The catholic
church had investments in arms until very
recently. But even more shocking is the fact that
they had money invested in pharmaceutical firms
that produced the contraceptive pill!!!!!