Question 1

Arguments exist which oppose business involvement in socially responsible activities.These arguments involve profitability, unfairness to employees and shareholders, accountability, and lack of expertise managing socially useful activities.

Accepted Answer

Opponents of businesses engaging in socially responsible activities argue that it may reduce profits, put unfair pressure on employees and shareholders, create difficulties with accountability, and require skills beyond the expertise of the company.

Question 2

From a Kantian perspective, for an action to be moral, it must be possible for it to be made into a universal law and it must be respectful of the autonomy and rationality of all human beings.

Accepted Answer

This is a basic principle of Kantian ethics, known as the universalizability principle or the categorical imperative. Kant believed that rational beings should be treated as ends in themselves, rather than as means to an end, and that moral actions must be consistent with this principle.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the Libertarian social ethics theory?

Accepted Answer

The Libertarian social ethics theory emphasizes the importance of market outcomes as the basis for distributing society's rewards. Libertarians believe that individual freedom and property rights should be protected, and that government intervention in the economy should be minimal. Thus, the free market should be allowed to function without interference, and individuals should be able to keep the rewards of their own labor and investments.

Question 4

If a Middle Eastern culture and the American culture differ as to the morality of a particular action, under ethical relativism:

Accepted Answer

Ethical relativism holds that moral values and beliefs are relative to the culture or society in which they are held. Therefore, if a Middle Eastern culture and the American culture differ as to the morality of a particular action, both cultures are considered correct or valid within their respective cultural contexts.

Question 5

Kant's approach, like that of ethical fundamentalists, asserts that universal laws stem from the direct pronouncements of God.

Accepted Answer

Kant's approach, known as deontological ethics, does not rely on the existence or pronouncements of God. It is based on the idea that moral duties are derived from reason and are universally applicable.

Question 6

The "Television Test" is a test that is generally rejected by adherents of intuitionism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The "Television Test" is a test that...

Question 7

Harvard philosopher, Robert Nozick, stressed liberty, not justice, as the most important obligation that society owes its members.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects Robert Nozick's philosophy, as espoused in his book "Anarchy, State, and Utopia."

Question 8

To a libertarian, it is unjust for a society to take wealth earned by one citizen and to distribute it to others who did not earn it.

Accepted Answer

Libertarians generally believe in the principle of individual rights and limited government intervention in economic and social affairs. They view forced redistribution of wealth as a violation of individual property rights and freedom of choice. Therefore, to a libertarian, such actions would be considered unjust.

Question 9

True cost-benefit analysis as a social theory:

Accepted Answer

True cost-benefit analysis compares direct and indirect costs and benefits to make decisions toward achieving a specific goal. It is not limited to only monetary gains and losses and does not necessarily prioritize justice or a central moral authority.

Question 10

Deontological theories assess good and evil in terms of the consequences of actions.

Accepted Answer

Deontological theories evaluate the morality of actions based on whether they adhere to ethical principles or duties, rather than solely considering their consequences.

Question 11

Utilitarian notions underlie cost-benefit analysis.

Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism is a philosophy that emphasizes maximizing overall happiness and minimizing overall suffering. Cost-benefit analysis is a decision-making tool that involves weighing the costs of a particular action or policy against its potential benefits. The underlying idea is that the action or policy that results in the greatest overall benefit (which is often measured in monetary terms) is the one that should be pursued. This aligns with utilitarian ideals, as both involve prioritizing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Question 12

The ethical theory that underlies cost-benefit analysis is:

Accepted Answer

Cost-benefit analysis seeks to maximize overall happiness and well-being, which aligns with the utilitarian ethical theory. Utilitarianism posits that the most ethical action is the one that produces the greatest net benefit for the greatest number of people. Cost-benefit analysis operates under this principle by weighing the costs and benefits of a decision and selecting the option that provides the greatest net benefit.

Question 13

Philosophers have found that the most effective way to develop dependable and universal methods for making ethical judgments is to fashion a priori guidelines.

Accepted Answer

Philosophers have debated extensively about the best methods for making ethical judgments, and there is no consensus that a priori guidelines are the most effective way. Some ethical theories, like utilitarianism or virtue ethics, emphasize empirical observations and the outcomes of actions or the character of the person acting, rather than solely relying on a priori principles.

Question 14

Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg observed that people progress through sequential stages of moral development according to the two major variables of age and reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development proposes that individuals progress through six sequential stages of moral reasoning as they age and their reasoning abilities develop.

Question 15

Bill would like to propose to the board of directors of Bizmarc, Inc., that the corporation distribute one percent of its pre-tax yearly income to feed the poor.To Milton Friedman and others, Bill's proposal might be considered unethical, because it violates the purpose for which the corporation was established.

Accepted Answer

Milton Friedman was a proponent of the idea that a corporation's sole purpose is to maximize profits for its shareholders, and that any actions taken by the corporation that do not directly contribute to this goal are unethical. Therefore, he may view Bill's proposal to distribute income to feed the poor as violating the corporation's purpose.

Question 16

What is unjust to a social egalitarian will also be unjust to a libertarian.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is unjust to a social egalitarian...

Question 17

Ethical relativism holds that when any two individuals or cultures differ regarding the morality of a particular issue or action, they are both correct because morality is relative.

Accepted Answer

Ethical relativism maintains that moral judgments are not absolute, but rather relative to the values, culture, or circumstances of individuals or groups. Hence, there is no one objective or universal standard of morality that applies to all people at all times. Instead, what is right or wrong depends on the viewpoint of the person or society in question. Therefore, if two people or groups have different moral opinions, they are both equally valid because there is no external criterion of moral truth against which to compare them.

Question 18

Under a Kantian approach to ethics, a person should not lie to colleagues unless that person supports the right of all colleagues to lie to one another.

Accepted Answer

According to Kantian ethics, lying is always considered wrong because it undermines the respect for human dignity and autonomy. Therefore, a person should not lie to colleagues regardless of whether or not they support the right of others to lie.

Question 19

How many stages are there in Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development?

Accepted Answer

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development consists of three levels, each containing two stages, making a total of six stages.

Question 20

Ethical issues in business settings include corporate governance, whistle-blowing, shareholder voting, and management's duties to shareholders.

Accepted Answer

These are all commonly recognized ethical issues in business settings.

Quiz 2: Business Ethics