Read The Following Article By Jay Feldman Tuesday Dialogue

Read The Following Article By Jay Feldmantuesday Dialogue How Corpor

Read the following article by Jay Feldman: Tuesday Dialogue: How Corporations Behave dialogue-how-corporations - behave .html Considering the article, write an APA-formatted paper of 4 pages that addresses the following: Part 1: Developing the Philosophical Thesis Statement Alfred North Whitehead’s statement: “What is morality in any given time and place? It is what the majority then and there happen to like and immorality is what they dislike” is a very controversial statement. Think about this statement as you consider the following questions as a guide to help your formulate a thesis statement. Select 1 of the following questions to answer and develop your thesis statement: Businesses can have ethical standards, but businesses are not moral agents. Do you agree or disagree? Is it true that the “bottom line” of business is profit and profit alone? In business, are there other less tangible goals that are intrinsic to and just as important as making money? In a business environment, why should people be moral as individuals? Why should a corporation or organization be moral? Could you apply the first formulation of Kant’s categorical imperative to a business environment? Part 2: Developing the Essay Identify your thesis statement (argument claim) within the introduction of your paper. Conduct research using library resources. Outline your essay, considering deontological ethics, teleological ethics, moral objectivism, and ethical relativism in your argument. Provide at least 3 valid reasons to support your argument. Also, be sure to include the following in your APA formatted essay: Use of explanations of philosophical concepts such as utilitarianism, categorical imperatives, process philosophy, moral relativism, moral absolutism, ethical relativism, moral objectivism, deontological ethics, or teleological ethics to structure your essay and provide evidence to support your claims. Your argument and reasons (claims) should be defended by philosophical concepts supported by evidence, which is based on your research. Please use the APA library to begin your research. Part 3: Conclusion Consider morality and ethics from the perspective of Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy and Immanuel Kant’s universal categorical imperative. After conducting your research and writing your essay, could you conclude that businesses can have ethical standards, despite the fact that businesses are not moral agents? Why or why not? Please explain summing up your argument. Part 4: Review Checklist before submitting essay Your essay should be checked for proper use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You may find that you change your mind on the issue as you are writing your paper. That is fine, but be sure to present your ultimate decision at the beginning of the paper, and stick to it consistently throughout. This may require that you go back and change paragraphs to support your changed thesis statement. Your argument should be clear, concise, and supported with logically valid claims and evidence followed by APA in-text citations. A reference page documenting your sources should be included. Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Reference Feldman, J. (2012, August 27). Tuesday dialogue: How corporations behave. The New York Times. Retrieved from Grading Criteria: Content Demonstrate in an APA-formatted essay of 4–5 pages that adheres to the assignment requirements for developing and argument essay based on answering one of the questions in the assignment guidelines. The essay should reflect varied cultural aspects, rooted in social and historical perspectives. 45% Critical Thinking Demonstrate critical thinking in presenting a well-developed argument to presenting interpretations, perspectives, and conclusions based on research. Supporting evidence should be followed by APA in-text citations. 35% Grammar Mechanics Demonstrate effective written communication skills, correct grammar, and mechanics. 15% APA The essay should display proper documentation in the APA format style. 5%

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Alfred North Whitehead’s assertion that morality is determined by majority opinion at a given time and place raises significant questions about the nature of ethics in business. This paper argues that while businesses can maintain ethical standards, they themselves are not moral agents. Instead, their ethical conduct reflects the moral perspectives of their human agents and the societal context in which they operate. This assertion is supported through an examination of philosophical frameworks such as deontological ethics, teleological ethics, moral objectivism, and ethical relativism, alongside insights from Whitehead’s process philosophy and Kant’s categorical imperative. The conclusion synthesizes these perspectives to affirm that corporations can have ethical standards, yet do not possess moral agency in the strict philosophical sense.

Philosophical Foundations of Business Ethics

Deontological ethics, rooted in Kantian philosophy, emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules regardless of outcomes (Kant, 1785). The first formulation of Kant’s categorical imperative states that one should act only according to maxims that can be consistently universalized without contradiction (Kant, 1785). Applying this to business implies that corporate decisions should adhere to universal principles that respect the dignity of all stakeholders (Wood, 1998). This perspective suggests that organizations can uphold moral standards by following consistent, universal principles, even if they are not moral agents themselves.

Teleological or utilitarian ethics assesses the morality of actions based on their outcomes, promoting the greatest good for the greatest number (Mill, 1863). From this standpoint, businesses should pursue strategies that maximize societal welfare, thereby aligning corporate goals with ethical benefits. However, utilitarianism can sometimes justify actions that are unethical from other perspectives, such as sacrificing individual rights for collective gains (Singer, 2011). Nonetheless, it provides a pragmatic framework for understanding corporate responsibility towards societal well-being.

Moral Objectivism and Ethical Relativism in Business

Moral objectivism asserts that ethical principles are universal and unchanging (Shafer-Landau, 2012). In this view, corporations should operate according to objective moral standards applicable across contexts. Conversely, ethical relativism argues that morality is culturally dependent and varies with societal norms (Harman, 1975). This relativist perspective implies that corporate ethics may differ based on local customs and societal expectations, which complicates establishing universal standards. These contrasting viewpoints influence how corporations develop and justify their ethical policies globally.

Whitehead’s Process Philosophy and Kant’s Immanuel

Whitehead’s process philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness and dynamic nature of reality, suggesting that moral development is an ongoing process influenced by societal and environmental factors (Whitehead, 1929). It advocates for a fluid, context-sensitive approach to ethics, which benefits corporate social responsibility initiatives that adapt to evolving societal needs. Kant’s universal categorical imperative, on the other hand, advocates for adherence to absolute moral rules that apply universally and unconditionally (Kant, 1785). Reconciling these views, one can argue that corporations should adopt adaptable ethical principles inspired by Whitehead's process thought, while ensuring their core actions align with Kantian universality for consistency and integrity.

Supporting Arguments for the Ethical Standards of Businesses

First, businesses operate within a societal framework that demands adherence to moral norms, as their legitimacy and success depend on social trust (Donaldson & Preston, 1995). Second, ethical standards contribute to long-term profitability by fostering consumer loyalty and avoiding lawsuits or societal sanctions (Freeman, 1984). Third, adopting ethical principles reflects moral responsibility and respect for human rights, aligning corporate practices with global ethical imperatives (Crane & Matten, 2010). These reasons demonstrate that companies, though not moral agents, can embody ethical standards through the moral commitments of their human agents and organizational policies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, applying Whitehead’s process philosophy and Kant’s categorical imperative reveals that businesses can sustain ethical standards despite lacking moral agency. Whitehead’s emphasis on relational and evolving ethics encourages organizations to remain responsive to societal changes, while Kant’s emphasis on universal rules underscores the importance of consistent moral principles. Together, these perspectives support the view that corporations are capable of embodying ethical standards through their policies and practices, although the moral responsibility resides ultimately with the human agents guiding them. Therefore, businesses, while not moral agents in the strict philosophical sense, can and should establish ethical standards that guide their operations responsibly.

References

• Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2010). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. E. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65-91.
• Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Pitman.
• Harman, G. (1975). Moral relativism and moral objectivism. Journal of Philosophy, 72(13), 333-341.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Hackett Publishing.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Shafer-Landau, R. (2012). Moral realism: A defence. Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Whitehead, A. N. (1929). Process and reality. Free Press.
• Wood, A. W. (1998). Kant’s ethical thought. Cambridge University Press.