BUSINESS ETHICS Flashcards

Question

Utilitarianism - Bentham

Answer 1

For factory workers to be valued in the same way as stakeholders, they would need rights to protect them against exploitation.

Answer 2

"Every person to cont for one and no one to count for more than one"

Answer 3

An action right for me is right for those in similar situations.

Answer 4

A small present good shouldn't be preferred to a greater future good.

Answer 5

When making decisions, everyone is equally as important as me/my preferences.

Answer 6

Morality is rooted in the universal moral law and in our dignity - therefore principles matter and businesses have duty to wider society. Self-regulation beyond laws surrounding CSR would be applauded.

Answer 7

The exploitation of workers is using them as a means for more profit - Kant would reject this. If a business sells substandard products it uses customers as a means to an end - Kant would reject this.

Answer 8

Kant requires us to be consistent in decisions, which is beneficial to businesses as this generated trust. This also requires us to consider our duty to future generations.

Answer 9

His awe and wonder of the natural world would reject using it in an instrumental way.

Answer 10

Saves Kant from the charge of anthropocentrism by highlighting the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Answer 11

"Starry stars above and the moral law within" Warns us against unsustainable views around nature.

Answer 12

Contradiction of will. A businessman wants a healthy environment as he recycles, composts and embraces nature for selfish reasons. But this longing for a healthy environment isn't genuine as his exploits low paid/skilled workers and deforests land as part of his business.

Answer 13

It is a shopkeepers duty not to overcharge customers, so a shopkeeper keeps fair prices. But he is doing this out of self-interest to increase his customers\profit through a good reputation, he is not doing it to benefit his community and to act out of good will.

Answer 14

Classical Utilitarianism (Bentham) may justify social exploitation if it maximises happiness, while Rule Utilitarianism supports ethical rules that prevent exploitation.

Answer 15

Kant argues that violating CSR (e.g., exploitation or environmental harm) is always wrong because it treats people as a means therefore violating the formula of the end in itself.

Answer 16

He believes businesses have no ethical responsibility beyond making profits within a fair market.

Answer 17

Marxists argue that CSR is often hypocritical, making businesses appear ethical while they still exploit workers. "Window dressing"

Answer 18

They support free markets for economic growth but may oppose monopolisation and exploitation if it decreases overall happiness.

Answer 19

Kant opposes it if it leads to exploitation, as it violates the principle of treating people as ends rather than means.

Answer 20

He argues it concentrates power in the hands of capitalists while exploiting workers.

Answer 21

He supports it as part of free-market capitalism, arguing businesses should focus on profit rather than social issues.

Answer 22

It supports whistleblowing if it prevents more harm than it causes, though predicting consequences is difficult.

Answer 23

Kant always supports whistleblowing because telling the truth is a moral duty, and unethical business practices must be exposed.

Answer 24

He may justify it only if a business breaks legal market rules but otherwise sees it as disruptive to competition.

Answer 25

Marxists encourage whistleblowing as a way to expose capitalist exploitation.

Answer 26

He argues that sweatshops provide jobs that prevent starvation, making workers better off.

Answer 27

Act Utilitarianism may justify them if they increase overall happiness, while Rule Utilitarianism supports improving conditions over time.

Answer 28

He opposes them because they exploit workers as mere means.

Answer 29

He sees them as a clear example of capitalist exploitation, where businesses profit while workers suffer.

Answer 30

It is difficult to predict the consequences of actions accurately, making Utilitarian decision-making unreliable.

Answer 31

He argues ethics should focus on moral duties rather than unpredictable consequences.

Answer 32

By following moral rules that have been judged to maximise long-term happiness, rather than evaluating each situation individually.

Answer 33

Allowing businesses to exploit workers gives them too much power, leading to further exploitation and loss of rights.

Answer 34

He argues that free markets drive innovation and prosperity through competition.

Answer 35

He believes capitalism is inherently exploitative, dividing society between business owners and workers.

Answer 36

They support it when it increases happiness but warn against monopolies that harm competition.

Answer 37

He accepts it but argues it must be restricted to prevent exploitation.

Answer 38

He believes capitalism is too exploitative for CSR or whistleblowing to make a real difference.

Answer 39

Communism has repeatedly failed in practice, and capitalism has significantly reduced poverty worldwide.

Answer 40

Unchecked capitalism can lead to monopolies, which destroy competition and innovation.

Answer 41

They both support capitalism but argue for ethical restrictions to prevent exploitation and ensure fairness.

BUSINESS ETHICS Flashcards

(65 cards)