Rough Draft Of Final Paper In This Course You Have Lo 892027

Rough Draft Of Final Paperin This Course You Have Looked At Classical

In this course, you have looked at classical ethical theories of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. You have also examined different perspectives on ethical issues introduced by relativism, ethical egoism, and emotivism. For this paper, you will apply these theories and perspectives to a current issue. Choose an ethical issue to write about. You may choose from the list below, or, with approval from the instructor, select a different socially-relevant topic.

It is recommended that you choose a topic that you are familiar with or that you have some interest in exploring further. For the purposes of this paper, your topic should pertain to a current area of interest in the news and/or government policy forums. Possible Issues include corporate executive compensation, corporate contributions to political campaigns, human trafficking, mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex, the media and their responsibilities, domestic surveillance, whistleblowing in government or in a business, religion in the workplace, ethical problems of gambling, progressive taxation rates, immigration reform in the U.S. and/or abroad, and women’s equality.

In your paper, you will apply ethical theories and perspectives to the issue that you select. You do not have to use all six, but you should apply at least two ethical theories and at least one ethical perspective. Your focus should be on ethical topics and concepts, with a balanced and intellectually driven approach. You may share personal views, but these should not be relied upon solely; instead, base your arguments on evidence.

Address the following questions:

- What are the ethical issues?

- Where are there breaches of ethical behavior?

- How could each ethical theory you cite help people think about what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior?

Your draft must include at least three pages of text plus a title page and a references page. It should contain a clear thesis statement outlining your main argument, an explanation of how you plan to develop the final paper, and a list of sources you intend to use. Format your draft in APA style and cite all sources appropriately.

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Paper For Above instruction

The following paper applies ethical theories and perspectives to the issue of corporate executive compensation, a current and controversial topic that raises significant ethical questions about fairness, responsibility, and social justice. Through analyzing utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, this paper aims to provide a nuanced understanding of what constitutes ethical behavior in the context of executive pay, and how these theories can guide moral decision-making in corporate governance.

The core issue revolves around the question of whether excessively high executive compensation packages are ethically justified. Critics argue that these packages contribute to income inequality, undermine corporate social responsibility, and distort priorities within organizations. Proponents, however, claim that high compensation incentivizes performance and aligns executives' interests with those of shareholders. These contrasting perspectives reveal ethical breaches and tensions between individual rights and social welfare.

Utilitarianism offers a consequentialist approach, focusing on maximizing overall happiness and reducing suffering. From this perspective, high executive pay is justifiable if it results in greater economic productivity and societal benefit, such as innovation and job creation. Conversely, if exorbitant salaries foster inequality and social discontent, then they are ethically problematic. Empirical evidence suggests that extreme disparities in income can harm social cohesion, thereby challenging the utilitarian rationale for high executive compensation (Piketty, 2014).

Deontology emphasizes duty and adherence to moral principles, asserting that ethical behavior involves respecting individuals as ends in themselves. The principle of justice demands fair treatment and equality, which may be violated by disproportionate pay gaps. Kantian ethics would critique excessive executive compensation if it treats workers or shareholders merely as means to profit, rather than respecting their intrinsic dignity (Kant, 1785). Therefore, deontological analysis urges corporations to establish compensation practices rooted in fairness and respect for all stakeholders.

Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and virtues such as justice, temperance, and prudence. When executive compensation is extravagantly high, it may reflect vices of greed and hubris, and lack the virtues necessary for ethical leadership. Conversely, a virtuous approach advocates moderation and fairness, aligning executive behavior with the virtues that promote social harmony. Virtue ethics thus encourages corporate leaders to embody integrity and social responsibility, fostering trust and ethical stewardship.

In conclusion, applying multiple ethical theories reveals that excessive executive compensation can be ethically problematic when it breaches principles of fairness, respect, and virtue. A balanced ethical framework suggests that organizations should strive for a compensation structure that promotes social good, respects stakeholders' rights, and embodies virtuous leadership. Future policies should incorporate these ethical insights to foster morally responsible corporate practices.

References

Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Translated by Mary Gregor. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century. Harvard University Press.