Business Ethics

• What are the two versions of the Business ethics summary notes available on the OCR Ethics page?

  A*-A grade and B-C grade summary notes
• What does CSR stand for and what does it entail?

  • CSR = Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Businesses have a responsibility to:
  • Make profit for shareholders
  • Consider the interests of stakeholders (employees, customers, community)
  • Not destroy the environment
  • Not mistreat employees or customers
• What is the Utilitarian defense of sweatshops according to Will MacAskill?

  People in developing countries choose to work in sweatshops because it is better than starving.
• How does Utilitarianism justify sweatshops?


  Utilitarianism claims sweatshops are a net benefit to workers and customers due to cheaper products.
• Why would Kant not allow sweatshops?

  Kant would not allow sweatshops because they treat workers as a mere means to an end.
• What issue does Utilitarianism face regarding liberty and rights?


  Utilitarianism can justify harm to individuals if it maximizes overall happiness, potentially violating human rights.
• How does Kant's ethics differ from Utilitarianism regarding the treatment of people?


  Kant's ethics insists that we always treat people as ends, not merely as means.
• What is Mill's harm principle?

  Mill's harm principle states that individuals should be free to act as long as they do not harm others.
• How does Mill's version of rule Utilitarianism address the issue of calculating consequences?

  Mill's rule Utilitarianism claims that actions are good if they conform to rules that maximize happiness, reducing the need for complex calculations.
• What is the definition of globalisation?

  Globalisation is the phenomenon where world economies, industries, markets, cultures, and policy-making are interconnected.
• What ethical issues arise from globalisation?

  Ethical issues include off-shore outsourcing, job loss in developed countries, and exploitation in developing countries.
• How does globalisation lead to monopolies?

  Globalisation allows businesses to gain power, enabling them to crush competition and dominate the market.
• What is whistleblowing?


  Whistleblowing is the act of going public with information about unethical business practices.
• What are the potential outcomes of whistleblowing?

  The upside is that unethical practices may stop, but the downside could be business bankruptcy and job loss for employees.
• How would a Utilitarian evaluate the act of whistleblowing?


  A Utilitarian would evaluate whistleblowing based on whether the suffering alleviated outweighs the suffering caused to the business.
• What is Kant's view on unethical business practices and lying?

  Kant believes that unethical practices treat people as mere means and that lying is always wrong, regardless of the situation.
• What are the key points regarding sweatshops in the context of CSR?

  • Sweatshops violate social CSR.
  • They are a consequence of globalisation.
  • Often the subject of whistleblowing.
  • Utilitarian defense: workers are better off than starving.
  • Critics argue for better treatment of workers.
  • Exploitation is tied to the benefits of sweatshops.
• How do Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics differ in their views on human rights and exploitation?

  Utilitarianism may justify violating human rights for good consequences, while Kantian ethics always opposes exploitation as morally wrong.
• What is Mill's approach to evaluating actions in terms of happiness?

  Mill's rule Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on rules that, if followed, would maximize happiness.
• How would Mill likely view sweatshops that employ competent adults?

  Mill would likely argue that sweatshops are acceptable if adults autonomously choose to work there, but he would ban child labor.
• What is the relationship between CSR and environmental responsibility?

  Environmental CSR means businesses have a responsibility not to destroy the environment.
• What is the significance of the case study involving Edward Snowden in the context of whistleblowing?

  Edward Snowden revealed illegal spying practices by the NSA, highlighting the ethical implications of whistleblowing.
• How does Kant's approach to ethics critique consequentialist ethics?


  Kant critiques consequentialist ethics by arguing that we cannot predict or control consequences, thus we cannot be responsible for them.
• What is the role of stakeholders in CSR?


  Stakeholders are anyone affected by the business, including employees, customers, and the wider community.
• What is the impact of globalisation on job markets in developed countries?


  Globalisation can lead to job losses in developed countries due to off-shore outsourcing.
• How does globalisation affect competition in the market?


  Globalisation can lead to monopolies, which destroy competition and the benefits of free market capitalism.
• What is the ethical dilemma presented by sweatshops in the context of Utilitarianism?

  The ethical dilemma is whether the benefits of cheaper products and employment outweigh the exploitation and poor working conditions.
• What is the relationship between human rights and Kantian ethics?

  Kantian ethics is based on the principle that human rights are inviolable and must be respected in all circumstances.
• How does Mill's Rule Utilitarianism address the issue of individual actions?


  Mill's Rule Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their adherence to rules that maximize happiness, rather than judging each action individually.
• What is the significance of the harm principle in Mill's ethics?


  The harm principle is significant because it allows individuals to act freely as long as their actions do not harm others.
• How does Kant's view on lying relate to whistleblowing?

  Kant's view on lying, which states that lying is always wrong, supports the moral obligation to tell the truth during whistleblowing.
• What is the relationship between CSR and social responsibility?


  Social CSR refers to the responsibility of businesses to not mistreat employees or customers and to avoid exploitation.
• What is the ethical implication of off-shore outsourcing?

  Off-shore outsourcing can lead to job losses in developed countries and exploitation in developing countries.
• How does globalisation influence a corporation's power over a country's laws?

  Globalisation allows corporations to influence a country's laws by leveraging their economic power to gain favorable regulations.
• What is the potential downside of whistleblowing for employees?

  The potential downside is that the business may go bankrupt, leading to job loss for employees.
• What is the significance of the case study involving sweatshops in the context of Utilitarianism?


  The case study illustrates the conflict between the benefits of employment and the ethical implications of exploitation in sweatshops.
• How does Kant's ethics view the exploitation of workers in sweatshops?


  Kant's ethics views the exploitation of workers in sweatshops as morally wrong because it treats them as mere means.
• What is the main criticism of consequentialism in relation to human rights?

  Consequentialism can justify violating human rights if the outcomes are deemed beneficial.
• How does Mill's version of Utilitarianism address the issue of human rights?


  Mill's Rule Utilitarianism evaluates rules that maximize happiness rather than individual actions.
• What is Mill's main rule in his version of Utilitarianism?


  The harm principle, which states that individuals should be free to act as long as they do not harm others.