Economics and Ethics : Morality and ethics are powerful motivations to behavior. Thouh, economists suppose that rationality is a function of demonstrable self-interest. That means, material well-being B greed if you will. The acceleration of corporate scandals by the early part of this century seems to suggest a disregard for issues other than material well-being by lot of people who were in positions of authority in various major companies (Enron, Worldcom, Tyco etc.) Self-interest when measured purely in dollars and cents will often give rise to unethical, immoral, and perhaps even illegal conduct.