Business Law Case Study: Ethical Analysis and Business Decision Making

This case study analyzes a business law scenario involving a breach of contract. Akali promised to supply widgets to Benizir, who then promised them to Cecilia. However, due to a flood, Akali sold the widgets to another buyer for a higher price, breaking his promise and causing Benizir to also break his promise to Cecilia. The analysis applies Christian ethics, emphasizing virtuous behavior and the importance of keeping promises, contrasting Akali's actions with the expected conduct of a follower of Christ. It also applies Aristotelian virtue ethics, highlighting the importance of virtuous conduct and the pursuit of happiness through ethical actions. The study concludes that Akali's actions were unethical, as he prioritized profit over his commitments, leading to negative consequences for Benizir and Cecilia. The analysis underscores the importance of ethical decision-making in business and the potential consequences of prioritizing financial gain over ethical obligations.

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One non-legal framework that can be used to analyze the situation at hand is through the lens
of Christian ethics and morality. The source of these ethics and principles is essentially
Christian theology which tends to outline virtuous behavior and distinguishes it from wrong
behavior from the perspective of Christian religion and teachings of Christ (Geisler, 2015).
While the interpretation of Christian principles and ethics has evolved during the past, but the
modern Christian ethics tend to be based on key virtues that are endorsed. The basis of this
approach is that humans should be expected to behave in a manner similar to what Jesus
(God) would behave in comparable situation. Since God can never commit sin, hence if we
mirror God’s conduct then our sins can also be minimized. As a result, these must be
reflected in the conduct of various followers in different situations (Santurri, 2012).
Based on the given situation, it is apparent that a promise has been made by Akali
with regards to supplying 100 widgets at a pre-determined price of $300 per widget to
Benizir. Benizir relying on the promise made by Akali had promised Cecilia that he would
provide 100 widgets at the price of $600 per widget. There was a flood owing to which there
was a shortage of widgets supply owing to which market price rose and Akali sold widgets to
Denise at price of $ 800 per widget. It is apparent that Akali has broken his promise which is
a sin and would not be expected to be desirable virtue. It is certainly not linked to conduct of
Jesus (God). Further, Akali’s unethical conduct also led to breaking of promise by Beneizir
with regards to Cecelia.
Another non-legal framework which may be applied to the situation at hand is Aritotelean
virtue ethics. Aristotle was a pioneer in philosophical ethics and carried on the work carried
by his predecessors namely Plato and Socrates. Through his book on ethics, Aristotle argues
that the man who tends to possess excellent character tends to do the right time at the
appropriate time. According to him, ethics is not merely a study of the right actions but also
the implementation of the same in one’s conduct (Aristotle, 2014). The four cardinal virtues
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are justice, prudence, temperance and courage. He also associated happiness with leading a
virtuous life and placed high emphasis on intellectual virtue as the basis for separation of
right and wrong.
Taking the above framework into consideration, it is apparent that way to happiness is
through virtuous conduct. As a result, materialistic possessions are not imperative. With
regards to the situation at hand, it is apparent that Akali has broken his promise to deliver
widgets to Benizir in order to earn a higher profit. However, during this conduct he has not
acted in a virtuous manner as Benizir and Cecilia would suffer owing to no fault of theirs. As
a result, just conduct under the given scenario would have been to honor the commitment
made since the widgets had survived the floods (Aristotle, 2014).
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References
Aristotle (2014). Aristotle’s Ethics: Writings from the Complete Works. (5th ed.). Princeton:
Princeton University Press.
Geisler, L. N. (2015). Christian Ethics: Contemporary Issues and Options. (4th ed.).
Michigan: Baker Academic.
Santurri, E. N. (2012). An Interpretation of Christian Ethics. (6th ed.). Louisville: Westinster
John Knox Press.
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