Ethical theory concepts and applications

ethical theory popular song in the late 1960s cries, "Signs, signs, everywhere the signs!" An anthem against unnecessary rules, regulations, laws, and statutes, the song advocates the triumph of the individual in the spirit of Nozick's libertarianism. Personal liberty, the essence of libertarian theory, avows the power of the individual to make up his or her mind regarding issues such as personal safety and well-being. The libertarian does not deny the importance of protecting the rights of others through laws against murder or rape; however, libertarian theory would imply the legalization of drugs because using drugs is a matter of individual choice. Employees, like citizens of the state, deserve respect. Companies who brandish their "signs" everywhere impinge on personal liberty and deny the right or even the ability of the individual to make informed, self-directed decisions.

The CEO should allow her workers to choose whether or not to work overtime. The decision to work overtime is personal, likely based on the desire to earn extra income. Working in potentially dangerous conditions in no way influences the nature of the overtime work, because those individuals have been trained to perform their jobs safely. There is no difference between working a dangerous job during regular company hours and after hours; the employee faces the same dangers and therefore can easily make the decision of whether or not to work longer hours.

Moreover, working overtime in a dangerous job is a matter of personal choice. No supervisor will force the employee to leave early or to stay on. Without being told what to do, the employee is treated with respect. The company trusts that its employees are intelligent and capable enough to make decisions about their personal safety on their own, without any "signs" telling them what to do. Allowing employees to choose whether or not to wear protective gear also respects their individual rights and liberties. The CEO takes a great risk by trusting the employees because an on-the-job injury could result in a costly lawsuit or loss of productivity. However, in the interests of preserving personal freedom and promoting libertarian ideals, the CEO has made a decision based on respecting others. So long as the employees are aware of the potential on-the-job dangers, which they must be simply by having been hired, they have the right to choose whether or not to work long hours or to wear protective gear. A person who enters an automobile does so knowing that highway accidents are common; a bicycle rider who does not wear a helmet makes s similar choice. To deny the rights of individuals insults their intelligence

In fact, the rules and regulations that strangle personal freedoms also squelch the individual's intellect because when told what to do, a person is likely to follow the rules blindly without investigating the real risks involved. Mandating protective gear might, in fact, lead to a false sense of security among workers who believe that their hard hats will protect them in any situation when in fact, they will not. Libertarianism respects the rights and abilities of individuals to learn and to educate themselves about the risks and dangers they face in their daily lives.