In The Gonzalez Padron 2015 Chapter 5 Read The Paragraph On ✓ Solved
In The Gonzalez Padron 2015 Chapter 5 Read The Paragraph On Dist
In the Gonzalez-Padron (2015), Chapter 5, read the paragraph on Distributive justice on page 159 and the block on pages 160 and 161 on Consider: What Is Your Ethical Style? What other ethical traditions contributed to the decision to eliminate tobacco sales? All three types of ethical philosophies could guide CVS management in making the right decision. In addition to ethical philosophies, other individual factors may influence ethical decision making, possibly impeding the company from taking bold and courageous actions reflective of a responsible business. In your post, answer the question: What other ethical traditions contributed to the decision to eliminate tobacco sales? In addition, answer the questions in Consider: What Is Your Ethical Style? Share your results and thoughts on this topic.
Guided Response: Be sure to properly attribute your source(s) when posting your response. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts allowing enough time for them to respond.
Paper For Above Instructions
In 2014, CVS Health made a groundbreaking decision to eliminate tobacco sales from its stores, a move that was unprecedented for a major pharmacy chain. This decision was not made in isolation; it was influenced by a variety of ethical traditions and philosophies, alongside individual factors that guided the management’s approach to ethical decision-making. In this paper, we will explore the ethical traditions that contributed to this significant choice and reflect on the ethical styles as presented in Gonzalez-Padron's (2015) Chapter 5.
Distributive justice, as outlined by Gonzalez-Padron (2015), emphasizes fairness and the equitable distribution of benefits and burdens within society. This principle likely played a central role in CVS's decision-making process. By eliminating tobacco sales, CVS exemplified its commitment to public health and social responsibility. This aligns with the ethical tradition of utilitarianism, which advocates for actions that produce the greatest good for the greatest number (John Stuart Mill, 1863). CVS recognized that reducing access to tobacco products directly contributes to public health benefits, thus adhering to principles of distributive justice by promoting collective well-being over profit.
Another ethical tradition at play is deontological ethics, which focuses on the morality of actions themselves rather than the consequences. This perspective emphasizes the importance of doing what is 'right,' irrespective of the financial fallout. CVS’s management may have viewed the continued sale of tobacco as morally objectionable given the evidence linking smoking to numerous health issues. By ceasing tobacco sales, CVS upheld a deontological stance that prioritizes health over profit margins. According to Kantian ethics, one has a moral duty to act according to principles that can be universally applied. In this case, CVS reasoned that it should not contribute to the public’s health detriment through the sale of harmful products (Kant, 1785).
Virtue ethics also contributes significantly to understanding CVS's decision. This ethical framework emphasizes the importance of virtues and moral character in decision making. A virtue-driven approach suggests that CVS recognized the need to embody the virtues of compassion, responsibility, and integrity. By removing tobacco products, CVS projected an image of a company that values ethical integrity and community health, fostering trust and loyalty among its customer base (Hursthouse, 1999). The long-term benefits of fostering a positive company reputation further illustrate the ethical wisdom in this choice.
In addition to these ethical philosophies, individual factors also significantly influence ethical decision-making. Cultural backgrounds, personal values, and corporate ethos come into play when understanding how CVS approached the elimination of tobacco sales. Management’s personal ethical styles and their experiences can cloud or clarify judgment in such decisions. For instance, if management practices a strong ethical style rooted in virtue ethics, they may be more inclined to pursue actions that promote health over profitability.
Reflecting on my ethical style, as discovered through the "Consider: What Is Your Ethical Style?" exercise, I find that my predominant ethical approach aligns closely with virtue ethics. I believe in the importance of acting with integrity and fostering a positive environment both in personal and professional settings. This self-identification allows for a deeper understanding of how personal values can shape ethical decision making in organizations. Furthermore, collaboration in a workplace that fosters similar ethical beliefs can lead to more robust decision-making processes, reflecting the collective values of its members (Gonzalez-Padron, 2015).
Ultimately, CVS's decision to eliminate tobacco sales is rooted in a convergence of ethical philosophies: distributive justice, deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. Each framework contributes to a comprehensive understanding of why this decision was not only socially responsible but ethically imperative. Besides, recognizing the influence of individual factors and the cohesive ethical style within the organization provides a richer context for interpreting CVS's actions.
In conclusion, CVS Health's decision to eliminate tobacco sales reflects an intertwining of ethical traditions that advocate for public good, moral duties, and character-driven governance. The lessons learned from this decision underline the critical role of ethical considerations in business practices, illustrating how companies can serve as agents of positive change in society while adhering to their values.
References
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