Step 1: Case Scenario - Read The Following Case First Then P

Step 1 Case Scenarioread The Following Case First Then Proceed To Th

Step 1: Case Scenario Read the following case first; then proceed to the next steps. A major cosmetics company posted a position on a local jobs board looking for a sales representative. The posting stated “Established fortune 500 company has an immediate opening for sales representative in the New York area. Candidates should have 3 or more years of experience in the cosmetics industry and a proven track record of success in this field.” Sara and Jim both applied for the position in New York City. Sara is 24 and has 3 years of experience with a rival cosmetics company in their marketing department.

Jim has 18 years of experience as a cosmetics representative who has just recently been laid off and is 49 years old. The company decided to hire Sara; and during the interview process, Jim was told that the company thought women were better suited for the cosmetics industry. It was also alluded to during Jim’s interview that the company wanted younger people to promote their product line. Jim filed a lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and after a year and a half of litigation, Jim was awarded the job. During this time, Sara had been a very successful employee; however, with only one position available, the company had to fire Sara.

Paper For Above instruction

The case presents a complex interplay of employment law, discrimination, and ethical decision-making within the context of a corporate hiring process. It highlights issues related to age discrimination, gender bias, and fairness in employment practices, prompting an analysis from both legal and philosophical perspectives. This paper explores how Machiavelli and Hobbes would interpret and justify the government’s role in regulating such employment decisions, focusing on the use and power of authority in ensuring justice and social order.

Philosophical Analysis of the Case

Niccolò Machiavelli, renowned for his pragmatic approach to power and statecraft, would likely view the government’s role in this case through the lens of maintaining stability and order. Machiavelli prioritized the effective exercise of power to secure the state’s interests and stability, often endorsing actions that serve the ruler's or state’s strategic goals (Machiavelli, 1532/2008). In this scenario, Machiavelli might argue that the government’s intervention via the EEOC’s lawsuit is a means of consolidating social order by curbing discriminatory practices that threaten the fabric of a merit-based, competitive labor market. He would emphasize that laws promoting fairness and anti-discrimination serve the ruler's interest in maintaining a cohesive and productive society, where loyalty and fairness are crucial for stability (Machiavelli, 1532/2008).

Furthermore, Machiavelli advocates for pragmatic power use, where rulers or governing bodies employ necessary strategies to sustain power. From his perspective, if discrimination undermines societal cohesion, then the government must intervene decisively, utilizing its power to rectify injustices and uphold societal stability—aligning with the EEOC’s actions against discriminatory employment practices. As Machiavelli states, “The ends justify the means,” implying that protecting societal stability may warrant direct intervention to prevent chaos or unrest caused by prejudiced employment decisions.

Hobbes’s View on Government and Power

Thomas Hobbes, with his emphasis on social contract theory and the necessity of a strong sovereign to prevent chaos, would interpret this case as an example of the government’s fundamental role in maintaining peace and order. Hobbes asserted that in the state of nature, individuals' compete for power and resources, leading to chaos and violence, which necessitated the establishment of a powerful sovereign (Hobbes, 1651/2014). In this case, Hobbes would argue that the government’s involvement through legal channels such as the EEOC is essential in safeguarding societal order by eliminating unjust discrimination that could lead to social unrest or undermine trust in institutions.

Hobbes believed that the authority of the sovereign is justified through the social contract, whereby individuals relinquish certain rights for the security provided by the government (Hobbes, 1651/2014). Applying this to the case, Hobbes would support the EEOC’s intervention, viewing it as an exercise of sovereign power to prevent disorder caused by discriminatory practices based on age or gender. He would see the government's role as paramount in creating a framework where justice prevails, thus ensuring societal harmony.

As Hobbes explained, “Covenants, without the sword, are but words,” emphasizing that law enforcement backed by legitimate authority is necessary to enforce moral and legal standards—such as anti-discrimination laws—thus maintaining peace and order. In this context, Hobbes would view the government’s actions as ultimately justified, as they serve the overarching goal of preventing societal chaos and preserving stability.

Conclusion

Both Machiavelli and Hobbes emphasize the importance of power and authority in maintaining societal order, but their approaches differ in focus. Machiavelli tends to see the use of power as a strategic tool for stability and stability’s advantages, supporting intervention when societal cohesion is threatened. Hobbes advocates for a powerful sovereign authority that enforces laws to prevent chaos in human interactions. In the context of this case, both philosophers would argue that the government’s intervention through the EEOC is justified as a means of ensuring justice, stability, and social order, utilizing the tools of power and authority appropriately. Their philosophies underscore the critical role of government in balancing individual rights with societal needs, especially in cases of discrimination and employment fairness.

References

• Machiavelli, N. (2008). The prince and the discourses. Translated by Robert M. Adams. (Original work published 1532). Oxford University Press.
• Hobbes, T. (2014). Leviathan. (Edited by Richard Tuck). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1651).
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• Reznek, N. (2014). The philosophy of human rights. Routledge.
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• Smith, A. (1776). The wealth of nations. Methuen & Co. Ltd.
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