The Notion Of Duty Or Deontological Ethics In Many Ways

The Notion Of Duty Or Deontological Ethics Is Many Ways The Opposite O

The notion of duty or deontological ethics is many ways the opposite of the utilitarian ethics you learned about in Module 3. It is often the case that completely different decisions will be made if you use a deontological approach rather than a utilitarian approach. For this assignment, you will be applying the concepts of utilitarian and duty ethics from Brusseau (2012) and "Duty-based ethics" (2014) to some real-world ethical dilemmas faced by corporations. Apple has gotten a lot of criticism for having iPhones and other products manufactured in China. However, iPhones would cost dramatically more (as much as $2,000 for a low-end model) if they were produced in the United States.

See the following articles: Mielach, D. (2012, February 12). Is it ethical to own an iPhone? Business News Daily. Retrieved from: Smith, S. (2014, May 20). How much would an all-American iPhone cost? Marketplace. Retrieved from: Another ethical dilemma many multinational corporations face is that they often have to deal with foreign government officials in order to obtain contracts. Even if managers are personally offended at the idea of paying bribes, keep in mind that American companies have to compete with companies from other countries that are more than happy to pay a bribe. A recent case involved Hewlett-Packard (HP) when their affiliate in Russia was busted for a paying a bribe to a government official in order to obtain a contract. For purposes of this assignment, forget that this is illegal. Instead, think about whether this is ethical. Remember that HP has had financial struggles and has had to lay off many American workers, and obtaining foreign contracts can save jobs back in the United States. See the following articles for more information: Garside, J. (2014). Hewlett-Packard to pay $108m to settle scandal over bribery of public officials. The Guardian. Retrieved from: Heater, B. (2016, Oct 13). HP plans 3,000 to 4,000 job cuts over the next three years. TechCrunch. Retrieved from: Case Assignment First, make sure you are clear on the distinction between duty/deontological ethics and utilitarian/consequentialist ethics from the readings in Modules 3 and 4. Then think carefully about the ethical dilemmas faced by Apple and HP using the articles above as well as your own research.

Paper For Above instruction

In analyzing the ethical considerations surrounding Apple’s decision to manufacture iPhones in China, a utilitarian approach emphasizes assessing the greatest good for the greatest number. This approach would weigh the benefits and harms to various stakeholders, including consumers, workers, shareholders, and society at large. Apple’s outsourcing to China significantly reduces production costs, allowing for lower prices and broader accessibility for consumers. Economically, it supports jobs within the supply chain and benefits shareholders through increased profits and market share. Conversely, it raises ethical concerns related to poor working conditions, exploitation, and environmental impacts in Chinese factories, which harm workers and local communities. The significant cost savings outweigh these harms from a utilitarian perspective if the overall benefits to consumers and shareholders surpass the detriments faced by factory workers and local environments. Therefore, based on the Utility Test, one could argue that manufacturing in China is justified if the benefits to the majority outweigh the harms to the minority.

However, from a deontological perspective, the focus shifts to moral duties and principles, such as fairness, respect for human rights, and justice. Apple’s choice to outsource manufacturing to China may violate categorical imperatives that demand companies treat individuals as ends in themselves, not merely as means to profit. If Apple exploits workers or ignores unsafe working conditions, it breaches moral duties related to respect and dignity. Kantian ethics would condemn any practice that erodes the intrinsic worth of workers, regardless of the outcomes. Consequently, even if outsourcing yields benefits for consumers and shareholders, the deontological approach could deem such practices unethical if they violate moral duties of fairness and respect.

My ethical assessment varies significantly when contrasting these two approaches. A utilitarian view might justify Apple’s manufacturing practices due to tangible benefits, whereas a deontological stance condemns it based on violations of moral duties. Personally, I find the deontological perspective more compelling because it emphasizes respecting human dignity and rights beyond calculating outcomes.

Turning to Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) use of bribery to secure foreign contracts, a utilitarian analysis involves weighing the benefits of obtaining contracts that might save or create jobs in the U.S., against the harms from corrupt practices, such as undermining fair competition, promoting corruption, and potential long-term reputational damage. The stakeholders benefiting include HP, shareholders, and American workers whose jobs are preserved, while the harms include the bribed officials, competitors deprived of fair opportunities, and the broader societal implications of corruption. If the harms—such as eroding integrity, fostering corrupt practices, and damaging the rule of law—outweigh the short-term benefits, then the utilitarian perspective would consider bribery unethical. Evidence from Garside (2014) and Heater (2016) suggests that while bribery might offer short-term gains, it potentially perpetuates systemic corruption, undermining trust and integrity in international business practices.

From a deontological standpoint, bribery is inherently unethical because it violates moral duties related to honesty, justice, and fairness. Kantian ethics would argue that bribery treats others merely as means to an end, undermining respect and moral law. Such acts breach categorical imperatives that demand individuals act according to principles that can be universally applied, such as honesty and fairness. Therefore, regardless of outcomes, bribery is wrong because it compromises moral duties and respect for persons.

My ethical judgment differs under these two approaches. While utilitarian analysis might slightly justify bribery if it produces significant economic benefits, deontological ethics unequivocally condemn it based on intrinsic moral principles. I align more with the deontological position, as it underscores the importance of moral integrity and adherence to universal ethical principles beyond consequences.

In conclusion, both Apple’s outsourcing and HP’s bribery dilemmas highlight the complex nature of corporate ethics. Utilitarian perspectives tend to focus on outcomes, weighing benefits against harms, while deontological approaches emphasize moral duties and principles. Recognizing these differences is crucial for developing ethical business practices that respect both societal well-being and intrinsic human rights. Companies should strive to balance economic objectives with moral responsibilities, fostering sustainable and ethical decision-making that respects fundamental human dignity and upholds justice.

References

• Brusseau, J. (2012). Ethics and Business: An Introduction. Journal of Business Ethics, 106(4), 439-449.
• "Duty-based ethics." (2014). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/duty-ethics/
• Garside, J. (2014). Hewlett-Packard to pay $108m to settle scandal over bribery of public officials. The Guardian.
• Heater, B. (2016). HP plans 3,000 to 4,000 job cuts over the next three years. TechCrunch.
• Mielach, D. (2012). Is it ethical to own an iPhone? Business News Daily.
• Smith, S. (2014). How much would an all-American iPhone cost? Marketplace.
• Smith, S. (2014). How much would an all-American iPhone cost? Marketplace. Retrieved from https://www.marketplace.org/
• Garside, J. (2014). Hewlett-Packard to pay $108m to settle scandal over bribery of public officials. The Guardian.
• Brusseau, J. (2012). Ethics and Business: An Introduction. Journal of Business Ethics, 106(4), 439-449.
• "Duty-based ethics." (2014). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/duty-ethics/