Robert Solomon & “Making Money & the Importance of
Virtues” & “Corporate Virtues”
(1) Why, according to Solomon may the phrase “Business Ethics” sound odd at first? Explain. Why does he claim that it is not, after all a “Contradiction in terms” but a necessary condition for businesses and corporations to be profitable and thrive, i.e., to be successful? Give reasons.
(2) Companies sometimes make mistakes and/or intentionally behave very unethically. How do the examples presented in class, i.e., Tylenol, Firestone, Nestle, Enron, show different responses and attitudes about moral responsibility when corporations f…up? What makes Tylenol the only one of the four who’s CEO did the right thing in their crisis? Be specific. What about the others actions made them so dubious and despicable?
(4) Does Solomon think it’s possible for businesses and corporations to behave ethically—why or why not? Explain. Further, what would Solomon think of the behavior of the CEO’s of those companies
(5) Solomon proposes what he refers to as an “Aristotelian” view of Business Ethics. What about his perspective qualifies it as such? Consider his statement: “Virtues are values turned into action.” What is meant by this phrase? Carefully explain.
JOHN ARTHUR “World Hunger & Moral Obligation”
(1) How does Arthur argue in defense of “Rights” as the main reason why we are not “obligated” to give our wealth away to “strangers?” Do you agree—why or why not? He says we have more reasons to give to our friends, family and those nearer to us than to those far away. How come? Do you agree? Explain.
(2) What is wrong, according to Arthur with Singer’s “Greater Moral Evil Rule?”
(3) Singer believes that it is morally wrong to purchase luxuries when so many people in the world go without basic necessities like food and shelter. Do you agree—why or why not? Why does Arthur find this viewpoint untenable? Explain.
(4) Arthur talks about the concept of “Desert.” He says, “Suppose an industrious farmer manages through hard work to produce a surplus of food for the winter while a lazy neighbor spends his summer fishing. Must our industrious farmer ignore his hard work and give the surplus away because his neighbor or his family will suffer?” What do you think of this example? Is it a fair analogy of affluent “West” v starving populations? Is it right to compare a “Lazy Neighbor” to famine ridden areas of the world? Why or why not? 797
(5) How does Arthur classify rights? Why is the child’s right to parental protection and food a “positive right?” How does his conception of “Rights” preclude the view that those in need (strangers) have a “right” to affluent persons’ help?
