2.6.3

Discussion Points: Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics

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Applying Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics to Business Ethics

Utilitarianists would argue that as long as the outcome secures the greatest happiness for the greatest number, then a company’s intentions are irrelevant.

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Support for CSR

  • Classic utilitarians, such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, would likely support the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • Corporate social responsibility means that a business has a responsibility towards the community and environment.
  • So in a utilitarian's view, if a business acts in a way that benefits the majority of its stakeholders, then it is a good business as it brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people.
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Weighing profit against outcome

  • If corporate social responsibility is just ‘window dressing’ for profit and greed, then this has to be weighed up in terms of the outcome.
  • If this profit and greed benefits employees, governments and other stakeholders, then the end justifies the means.
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Outcomes > processes

  • Utilitarianism can be used in any business decision that seeks to maximise positive effects (especially morally, but also financially) and minimise negative ones.
  • Utilitarianism in business ethics is primarily concerned with outcomes rather than processes.
    • If the outcome leads to the greatest good (or the least harm) for the greatest number of people, then it is assumed the end justifies the means.
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Kantian arguments

  • Kant would argue that a business should be ethical and take responsibility for all stakeholders because that is the right thing to do. However, if a business was simply being responsible to make a profit then this would not be moral.
  • Kant argues that we have a duty to treat people as an end and not a means. If our prime reason for being ethical in business is to make a profit in the future, then this is not a moral action.
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Kant's categorical imperative

  • Kant’s categorical imperative highlights that human beings are the pinnacle of creation: they are the highest point.
  • So how people are treated in a business/the people who are directly affected by that business need to be taken into account. No one should be exploited or mistreated in the search for profit.
Illustrative background for Kantian view of globalisationIllustrative background for Kantian view of globalisation ?? "content

Kantian view of globalisation

  • Globalisation raises moral concerns because people in less developed countries could be getting exploited.
  • If the company is acting just for its own good, then in Kantian terms it is treating the people of the poorer nations as a means, not as an end.

Jump to other topics

1Philosophy of Religion

1.1Ancient Philosophical Influences: Plato

1.2Ancient Philosophical Influences: Aristotle

1.3Ancient Philosophical Influences: Soul, Mind, Body

1.4The Existence of God - Arguments from Observation

1.5The Existence of God - Arguments from Reason

1.6Religious Experience

1.7The Problem of Evil

1.8The Nature & Attributes of God

1.9Religious Language: Negative, Analogical, Symbolic

1.10Religious Language: 20th Century Perspective

2Religion & Ethics

3Developments in Christian Thought

3.1Saint Augustine's Teachings

3.2Death & the Afterlife

3.3Knowledge of God's Existence

3.4The Person of Jesus Christ

3.5Christian Moral Principles

3.6Christian Moral Action

3.7Development - Pluralism & Theology

3.8Development - Pluralism & Society

3.9Gender & Society

3.10Gender & Theology

3.11Challenges

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