Business Ethics Assignment: Ethical Theories, Dilemmas, and Capitalism

This essay delves into the core principles of business ethics, focusing on two foundational ethical theories: Utilitarianism and Kantianism. The assignment begins by defining and comparing these two ethical frameworks, illustrating how they might be applied to resolve a contemporary ethical dilemma in a workplace setting. The analysis then extends to evaluate the benefits and negative consequences of each theoretical tool within the context of capitalism and the free market system, providing specific examples to support the conclusions. The essay highlights the differences in approaches between Utilitarianism, which emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number, and Kantianism, which focuses on moral duties and principles, particularly emphasizing the importance of not treating people as mere means to an end. The document uses these theories to analyze the ethical considerations involved in business practices, such as making promises and addressing issues faced by employees. It also presents a scenario about repaying a loan and the ethical implications according to Kantian principles. Overall, the essay provides a thorough examination of the practical implications of these ethical theories in the business environment.

Running Head: Business Ethics 0
Business Ethics
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Table of Contents
Question 1........................................................................................................................................2
Question 2........................................................................................................................................2
References........................................................................................................................................4

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Question 1
Jeremy Bentham developed the philosophy of Utilitarianism and later Henery Sidgwick, J
S. Mill, and it tends to dominate the philosophers ' appeal in different respects. The traditional
utilitarian is of the view that most citizens want the greatest thing, such as satisfaction or
happiness. In reality, this belief is focused on the psychological hedonism that by definition we
humans seek comfort and escape pain. Instead of pleasure, most contemporary rational citizens
choose fulfillment as the primary goal (Valentinov, 2017).
The justification of an activity within a deontological framework is focused on laws or
concepts regulating behavior and decision taking. In the light of the truth rather than the
implications, the German philosopher Immanuel Kant established the most detailed and
thoroughly expressed view of ethic ology. Kant points out that the validity of an act relies on the
idea, law or mission, and not at all on the results of an action (Xu & Ma, 2016).
The best example of Kant that is used in the workplace is promises that are majorly done by the
manager to the employees. Manager sometimes make fake promises to motivate its employee.
However, it positively affects the overall performance of the employee that can consider as one
of the good lie for the betterment of the employee and for the company (Xu & Ma, 2016).
However, by adopting Utilitarianism, Manager majorly focus over the issues that face by the
employee rather than making fake promises to motivate its employee. It may not affect the
overall performance of the employee quickly but will benefit for the future growth (Valentinov,
2017).
Question 2
Kant believed in social expectations or so-called "categorical imperatives," believing that
an individual lent a friend's money to return the debt at any specified time. Yet the other
individual who borrowed you the money died unwittingly. Is it morally appropriate for the
individual to repay the loan or restitute the next child? Kant would claim that social values allow
you to repay the loan, even though it does not support you. Kant felt that people should never be
viewed as "means to an end" (that is, they should never be regarded as selfish motives or simply
as objects). Human beings will be regarded as autonomous and independent moral
representatives. Kant thought that if you aim only at "gain management" or the effect of the act,
you end up viewing people as artifacts (i.e., behaving immorally). The guiding principle of Kant
was the Golden Rule variant–or "talk to someone as they do to you." And, if you don't like being
lied to, then don't lie to anyone. Kant was the guiding principle (Grant, P., Arjoon, & McGhee,
2017).
Utilitarianism is focused on evaluating the effects of every act and is centered on the
value of an act and is calculated by the limit "the highest benefit for the large amount." Suppose
a psychiatrist believes his patient is about to die, because an emergency patient recognizes that

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he is in a serious condition (death is imminent). And the doctor lies and suggests to the woman,
"You're about to get right in." This philosophy is in comparison or may be contrasted with
virtue-ethics, which keeps morality as a spiritual principle, and others claim that the actions are
often ethically essential. The fundamental concept underlying Kantian ethics is that any person is
intrinsic in meaning. (The usage of utilitarianism is a type of consequentialism, which claims that
the results of every behavior are the only norm of right and wrong (Fleischmann, Lammers,
Conway & Galinsky, 2019).

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References
Fleischmann, A., Lammers, J., Conway, P., & Galinsky, A. D. (2019). Paradoxical effects of
power on moral thinking: why power both increases and decreases deontological and
utilitarian moral decisions. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 10(1), 110-
120.
Grant, P., Arjoon, S., & McGhee, P. (2017). Reconciling Ethical Theory and Practice: Toward
Developing a Business Ethics Pedagogical Model. Business and Professional Ethics
Journal, 36(1), 41-65.
Valentinov, V. (2017). The Rawlsian critique of utilitarianism: A Luhmannian
interpretation. Journal of business ethics, 142(1), 25-35.
Xu, Z. X., & Ma, H. K. (2016). How can a deontological decision lead to moral behavior? The
moderating role of moral identity. Journal of Business Ethics, 137(3), 537-549.