23
GRATITUDE –
THE BASIS FOR ETHICS
Walter Linsi and Rita Astfalck, Switzerland
The first part is written by Walter Linsi, entrepreneur and key supporter
of Globethics.net since its beginning, through the U.W. Linsi Foundation
founded by Walter and his wife, Ursula. It describes gratitude in
business and philanthropy. The second part is written by Rita Astfalck,
Member of the Executive Board and Head of Projects of the U.W. Linsi
Foundation. It describes gratitude in personal and professional life.
23.1 Creating a Foundation out of Gratitude
This topic of gratitude has very practical significance for Globeth-
ics.net as an organization promoting global ethics. Out of gratitude for
the substantial return from business activities, the U.W. Linsi Founda-
tion has supported Globethics.net since twelve years, since its beginning
in 2004. It made a significant contribution to the beginning and further
development of the organization. Out of gratitude, a basis for ethics has
developed.
Ursula and I, the foundation's benefactors, brought to it about 12% of
the shares of a medium-sized company in the Zurich Oberland. The
company is forty years old, operates globally and has a workforce of