Business Ethics Activity 2 Overview

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Business Ethics Activity 2 Overview Ashley Madison What Happened? Fines Lawsuits Investigations Relationships destroyed Site Closes - Company rebrands Debate: Legal vs. Ethical Is It Acceptable to Promote a Socially Irresponsible but Legal Product to Stakeholders? When you think of cheating, you may think of irresponsible behavior in the classroom. But Noel Biderman created a company called Avid Life Media (based in Toronto) that is dedicated to another form of cheating. Avid Life Media is owner of six website brands, including Cougar Life and Hot or Not. One of its more controversial brands is Ashley Madison, the motto of which is "Life is Short. Have an Affair." The website has more than 8.5 million members. The company encourages married men and women to spend less than a minute to register on the largest website to openly promote infidelity. The company employs hundreds of programmers, designers, and marketers and has conducted a private placement for investors. While many stakeholders would say the purpose of the website is wrong, there is nothing illegal about this business. But the fact that the website helps people engage in cheating on their spouses including providing an email address to which one's spouse would never have access—has many people concerned. They consider facilitating secrecy for socially questionable conduct to be wrong. Team 1: There is nothing wrong in providing a legal service many people desire. Team 2: From a stakeholder perspective, it is wrong to provide socially irresponsible services. Question: Which Team do you agree with? Explain why you agree or disagree. Would you work for this company if they paid you $100,000 right out of college? Explain answer. What other companies are like Ashley Madison that you know of today? Provide an example. image1.jpeg image2.jpg

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Business Ethics activity 2 overview: Ashley Madison and Ethical Dilemmas

The case of Ashley Madison, operated by Avid Life Media, presents a provocative and complex ethical dilemma in contemporary business ethics. With over 8.5 million members, the website openly promotes extramarital affairs, encouraging married individuals to engage in cheating through a platform that promises secrecy by providing private email communication. The ethics of such a service raises fundamental questions about legality versus social responsibility, stakeholder interests, and personal moral boundaries.

Supporters of the service—Team 1—argue that providing a legal service promoted by consumer demand is ethically acceptable. They emphasize that, although controversial, the service operates within the bounds of the law. From their perspective, adults should have the freedom to make personal choices, even if those choices are socially questionable, such as engaging in infidelity. They might argue that suppressing such businesses infringes upon personal liberties and that the company's role is merely facilitating a legal desire.

Conversely, opponents—Team 2—view the company's operations as socially irresponsible and morally wrong. From a stakeholder perspective, the service impacts multiple parties negatively: betrayed spouses, children, and the societal trust in marriage and fidelity. Facilitating secrecy and deception can cause significant psychological and emotional harm, raising questions about corporate social responsibility. Critics might argue that companies should consider the broader social impact of their products and avoid promoting behaviors that undermine social cohesion and normative values.

From an ethical standpoint, several considerations come into play. Utilitarianism might weigh the personal freedoms and business success against the social harms caused, while deontological ethics would focus on duties and moral rules against promoting dishonesty. Virtue ethics would question what the company's operations say about its character—whether it embodies virtues like honesty and integrity.

If offered a job at Ashley Madison with a salary of $100,000 as a recent graduate, accepting the position hinges on personal moral beliefs. Many would object ethically to working for a company producing a service that promotes infidelity, viewing it as morally problematic regardless of legality. Others might consider the job a financial opportunity and separate personal morality from professional roles, though this can be ethically contentious. Choosing to work there may imply complicity or endorsement of the company's values, which could conflict with personal ethics or societal norms.

Similar companies exemplify the existence of controversial online services that challenge traditional moral boundaries. For instance, online gambling and betting platforms like Bet365 or PokerStars have faced scrutiny over their social implications, including addiction and financial ruin. Such companies, while legal and profitable, evoke debates over social responsibility, especially regarding vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, the Ashley Madison case exemplifies a profound intersection of legality, ethics, and social responsibility. While operating within legal parameters, the company's services raise significant moral questions about the role of businesses in promoting socially sensitive behaviors. Ethical engagement with such companies demands critical reflection on personal values and societal impacts, highlighting the importance of corporate social responsibility in the digital age.

References

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