Please respond to two students initial discussion post with 100 words each. Each response must be in a separate paragraph, besure to include one question in each response
Student 1: “A more utilitarian philosophy might hold that corporations create jobs, make money for shareholders, pay taxes, and produce things that people want; thus, they have done their part and do not owe any other debt to the environment or society at large. However, utilitarianism is often regarded as a “here and now” philosophy, whereas deontology offers a longer-term approach, taking future generations into account and thus aligning more with sustainability”. (Stephen M. Byars, Kurt Stanberry) With that, we can see why an expert may propose this view- sustainability. However, utilitarianism says that we should always do what will produce the greatest good for all those affected by our actions. In general, this refers to ones well-being. Although utilitarian’s differ on whether this means happiness, and comfort, or like “getting your way”. Most moral rules are directives to what will bring about the best outcome. If obeying a moral rule will have worse consequences than breaking it, should we still abide by it? “Deontology is concerned with motive, duty, and one’s obligation to act regardless of circumstances or outcomes”. (BCcampus) The best argument favoring deontological ethics is that it allows for our greed to be excused, and used to justify immoral behavior. This clearly isn’t ethical, showing the flaws of proposing the deontological ethical theory.
Student 2: What the ethicist meant when he said, "business ethics should be grounded in deontology more than utilitarianism" is that the end should not be the determinant with regards to justifying the means. Utilitarianism, according to what we learned in class, is that the right way is to choose the alternative that would produce the most good. Halbert says that deontological ethics is, "marked by steadfastness to universal principles-for example, respect for life, fairness, telling the truth, keeping promises – no matter what the consequences". (Halbert & Inguli 1990)
The reason why utilitarianism is not good for business strategy is because morale in business shouldn’t only be centered on calculations of profit or loss. Deontology takes into account the ethical motive behind the business decision and this should be upheld moreover than a business who decided to cheat in order to yield profit, which according to utilitarianism, would be considered the positive outcome for the greater good of those making the business decision. Deontology stands on merit. Ethical entrepreneurs engage in both private and corporate philanthropy. There are instances in which deontology doesn’t seem practical. Although it offers a more consistent approach to business than utilitarianism, the latter allows greater flexibility. Deontology approach could be costly for the business if it invests its time and money into employees who are not benefitting the company, yet those who argue it is the best framework would maintain the argument that it is the moral responsibility of the company to extend itself to accommodate the specific needs of the employees who are just not measuring up.
