2.6.3
Discussion Points: Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics
Applying Utilitarianism & Kantian Ethics to Business Ethics
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.
![Illustrative background for Support for CSR](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/66531717-bced-41b0-8e6e-64775d69ad82/Responsibility-Responsible-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Support for CSR ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/66531717-bced-41b0-8e6e-64775d69ad82/Responsibility-Responsible-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Support for CSR
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.
![Illustrative background for Weighing profit against outcome](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/148c4fe5-e92d-487d-8471-52f26e5c7bdf/profit-bag,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Weighing profit against outcome ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/148c4fe5-e92d-487d-8471-52f26e5c7bdf/profit-bag,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Weighing profit against outcome
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.
![Illustrative background for Outcomes > processes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/6187c98a-7119-4994-b99b-df21f901f4b8/board-973989_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Outcomes > processes ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/6187c98a-7119-4994-b99b-df21f901f4b8/board-973989_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Outcomes > processes
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.
![Illustrative background for Kantian arguments](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/9d16c288-e909-4037-abc7-196c0f4a512d/morals-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Kantian arguments ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/9d16c288-e909-4037-abc7-196c0f4a512d/morals-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Kantian arguments
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.
![Illustrative background for Kant's categorical imperative](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/d2f9326f-7382-44f3-a01e-3d54bd1aaa64/mountains-achieve-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Kant's categorical imperative ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/d2f9326f-7382-44f3-a01e-3d54bd1aaa64/mountains-achieve-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Kant's categorical imperative
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 globalisation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/7c18ad28-dd0e-4008-936e-c9d9c905a18f/dollar-2091718_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Kantian view of globalisation ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/7c18ad28-dd0e-4008-936e-c9d9c905a18f/dollar-2091718_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Kantian view of globalisation
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.
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
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
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
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
2Religion & Ethics
2.1Natural Law
2.2Situation Ethics
2.3Kantian Ethics
2.4Utilitarianism
2.5Euthanasia
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
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