Business Ethics

• What is the main focus of the topic in Business Ethics?

  The relationship between capitalism and ethics
• What does the idea that good ethics is good business imply?

  Good business decisions are good ethical decisions
• Why do proponents of CSR argue that good ethics is good business?

  It’s profitable to have a good public image
• What do utilitarians and Kantians believe about business decisions?

  There should be restrictions on business decisions
• What is the libertarian view on business and ethics?

  Business and ethics are unrelated
• What are the three sub-issues included in this topic?

  CSR, Globalisation, Whistleblowing
• What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

  • Ethical responsibilities to the environment
  • Responsibilities to the communities affected
• What is Environmental CSR?

  Responsibility towards the environment
• What are some actions businesses can take under Environmental CSR?

  Reduce pollution and use renewable energy
• What does Community CSR entail?

  Responsibility to respect human rights
• What is a more contemporary version of CSR?

  ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)
• How can CSR/ESG benefit businesses financially?

  By minimizing risks and improving public relations
• What do Bentham and Mill think about free market capitalism?

  It maximizes happiness through profit
• How do Bentham and Mill view environmental CSR?

  They would likely accept it for happiness
• What is Kant's view on market interactions?

  They should not treat people as mere means
• What is a common critique of CSR?

  It can be seen as hypocritical window-dressing
• What does Anand Giridharadas argue about corporate generosity?

  It cannot substitute for justice
• What is the impact of globalisation on businesses?

  It allows businesses to span multiple countries
• What is offshore outsourcing?

  Building products in factories in third world countries
• What is a monopoly?

  A business dominating a market without competition
• How can corporations influence laws and regulations?

  By financing election campaigns of politicians
• What is the utilitarian view on globalisation?

  It may undermine free markets and policies
• What is whistleblowing?

  Leaking information about a company's wrongdoings
• What is a potential downside of whistleblowing?

  It may cause financial losses for the company
• How does act utilitarianism view whistleblowing?

  It depends on the situation's happiness outcome
• What is Kant's stance on lying in business?

  Lying cannot be universalised and is wrong
• What are sweatshops?

  Factories employing workers in poor conditions
• How are sweatshops related to CSR?

  Businesses should ensure no sweatshop sourcing
• What is the utilitarian defense of sweatshops?

  They provide the best opportunity for workers
• What was the Primark case study about?

  Primark cut ties with exploitative suppliers
• How does Utilitarianism compare to Kantian ethics?

  Utilitarianism justifies actions based on consequences
• What does Mill's harm principle suggest?

  Society will be happiest if others are not harmed
• How does Kantian ethics view human rights?

  Human rights must be respected regardless of consequences
• What is a Utilitarian's stance on globalisation, CSR, and whistleblowing?

  They favor globalisation and oppose CSR and whistleblowing.
• How does Utilitarianism justify bad actions?

  It can justify actions like exploitation.
• Why is Utilitarianism incompatible with human rights?

  Human rights are deontological and must be respected.
• What does Kant's formula of humanity emphasize?

  It emphasizes treating people as ends, not means.
• What would Kantian ethics say about sweatshops?

  They would oppose sweatshops regardless of consequences.
• What does Mill's harm principle suggest?

  Society is happiest when not harming others.
• How does the concept of freedom relate to sweatshops?

  Workers accept risks if free to leave.