Exercise for Business Ethics

¶ … Business Ethics

Is your answer from last week closer to the utilitarian approach to moral problems, to the Kantian / deontological approach or to neither?

The answer from last week's problem is considered to be both utilitarian and deontological. The way that it is utilitarian is to encourage the bandits to leave the town alone based on the offering them money. This will maximize happiness and minimize the overall amounts of suffering. In the situation with the town, the offer of money is designed to achieve the greatest amounts of happiness and suffering. This is accomplished by encouraging them never to return through the large financial rewards that are provided. Once the bandits agree to accept this offer is when there will be a transformation in the attitudes of the citizens. This is significant in highlighting how our approach is taking this aspect of ethical thinking and using it to deal with a major issue.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Consequentialism / Utilitarianism, n.d.]

At the same time, the deontological approach is embraced. This is when we are taking actions that will benefit all of the different actors. In the case of the town, offering the bandits money is addressing their basic reasons for the raids (i.e. The bandits are looking for food and other resources). At the same time, the strategy is intelligently eliminating the threat. This will provide the citizens with a sense of happiness and peace of mind. These ideas are important, in illustrating how our approach will seek to address the problem by: focusing on everyone's self-interests and by seeking to achieve the greatest amounts of happiness.[footnoteRef:2] [2: Deontology, n.d.]

Is your response strictly moral in nature, or does it involve considerations of prudence or of law?

The response is moral in nature to a certain extent and does not involve any kind of legal considerations. Instead, we are focusing on the humanitarian elements and the effects that they are having on the community. This is why we are offering the bandits large sums of money to leave the town alone.

However, there is a matter of personal safety that is taken into account. This is because the bandits are known for robbing and beating the citizens when they are conducting raids. To protect everyone in the community the large amount of money is a way of buying the community's safety and peace of mind. This will help to improve happiness and the quality of life for everyone. As a result, our approach is focused on using a certain amount of prudence by appealing to the bandits' greed.

Does this week's reading reaffirm the moral intuitions you expressed last week; or dies it qualify or even undermine them?

This week's readings reaffirm the moral institutions. The way that this is accomplished is by having flexibility in our approach and seeking out solutions that will deal with the problems over the long-term. In the case of the community, this is important for establishing a foundation for economic growth to occur. The only way that this can take place is to eliminate these raids.