Abstract This is a case study about the damage oils spill can cause to society. The author discusses the economic, ethical and legal implication of oil spills. Furthermore, he introduces Kant's and Rawls? philosophical theories on ethics and provides an example of Ashland official behavior during oil spills to support his argument.
From the Paper "Balancing profit and ethical behavior is one of the hardest things that a company has to try to do. In the case of Ashland, company officials failed to act with sufficient care, thoughtfulness and foresight to prevent environmental tragedy. It was this kind of deregulation that of course marked the entire Reagan era in American politics and the environmental consequences of which we are still paying for. "
Abstract This paper cites the fact that Ashland Oil Inc. at the beginning of this decade recognized that it had a management crisis and that it needed to gain control of it in order to cope with the unforeseen shifts in the oil business. It shows that in 1991, the company made a number of decisions regarding how to prepare for a crisis, after it had faced a crisis with a major oil spill in 1988 and had not handled the situation as well as it might.
From the Paper "The public sees long line at the gas pump and notes the rising costs of oil and may believe that the oil companies are making money hand over fist and doing so with relatively little effort. In fact, though, whether an oil company can weather the ups and downs of the oil business depends on the management of the company. Ashland Oil Inc. at the beginning of this decade recognized that it had a management crisis and that it needed to gain control of it in order to cope with the unforeseen shifts in the oil business. Americans have been aware of an oil crisis since the 1970s, when the first oil crisis brought higher prices and long lines and made Americans more aware than ever before of their dependence on foreign sources for their oil and energy needs."
Abstract This paper explains that justice is defined as conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude, the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward; whereas, law is a body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community, the condition of social order and justice, created by adherence to a fixed legal system. The author points out that justice and law both aim at order and stability in society and the promotion of the highest welfare of the individuals in that society. The paper relates that the philosophy of law, which applies to Ann Hopkins' case, is stated by Oliver Wendell Holmes: Justice is subjective and changes according to the viewer's prejudice, viewpoint or social affiliation; however, a set of rules is needed to make society function and these rules must be carried out.
Table of Contents
Case # 1: Paul Cronan vs. New England Telephone Company
Case # 2: Ann Hopkins
Case # 3: Ashland Oil, Inc.: Trouble at Floreffe
From the Paper "Law is founded on the natural law and positive law. Natural law deals with the doing of good and avoidance of evil, in keeping promises, telling the truth, compensating for injuries. Its standards are fairness and justice. Positive law is the set of rules agreed upon by the authority. It derives from common legal heritage, the court system and decisions, executive decrees and orders, legislative rules and laws and resolutions issued by the bureaucracy. It focuses more on order and stability and less on fairness and justice. However, natural law and positive law sometimes come in conflict, as in the issues of slavery, ownership of property, voting restrictions and racial segregation."
