This paper discusses how in Plato's "Gorgias" he uses a dialogue, question-and-answer format to present some of Socrates? arguments against the pursuit of pleasure as the primary purpose in life.
Abstract The writer traces three stages. In order for Socrates to make this argument he first establishes that it is desirable to live a good life. He then attempts to prove that there is a distinction between what is good and what is pleasant. Finally he draws the conclusion that one should choose what is good over what is pleasant, which requires self-discipline.
From the Paper "The initial assertion developed by Socrates in order to make his argument is that the good life is a desirable life. This statement is not challenged; rather, the difference between Socrates and Callicles, as Plato portrays them, is that Callicles believes that a good life and a pleasant life, or a life spent seeking pleasure, are identical. The premise that a good life is desirable is just assumed to be true as it is basic to both men's beliefs. However, in order to refute Callicles definitions of "good", Socrates next builds a logical argument to demonstrate that "pleasure" and "good" are not interchangeable."
Abstract Albert Carr's article, "Is Business Bluffing Ethical"? argues that people do not have to be completely ethical when dealing in business, mainly because sometimes being unethical allows individuals to become successful in business. This paper analyzes Carr's thesis and looks at several of his points, such as being ethical is counterproductive to business. The author of the paper shows that Carr's article is objectionable, although admits that he makes a strong argument for doing business in an unethical manner.
From the Paper "Carr likens the ethics of business to the ethics that are part of poker. In poker, it is acceptable to be deceiving and cunning. The most successful poker players are able to outwit their opponents through deceit and cunning. Carr makes the point that the ethics that are a part of poker play a similar role to that of business. Carr even goes as far as saying that deception is an integral part of any businessmen's life. Whether it is negotiating with labor unions or customers, businesspeople are pressured to use deception and cunning on a daily basis. Those who do not subscribe to this ethical system, fail, according to Carr."
Abstract This paper examines the relationship between two closely interconnected concepts -- negotiations and ethics. To achieve negotiation, both sides have to exchange valid information. If one or the other of the parties lies, deceives, or engages in exaggerated claims or presents false of unrealistic projections, then it is very difficult, if not impossible, to determine "win-win" trades, because the opponent does not receive accurate information. In addition, the paper shows that the unethical behavior, if detected, motivates one of the parties to withhold information about the cost and values of the issues.
From the Paper "DeGeorge also suggests that executives ought to seek those alternatives that produce the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people, or to maximize the total good produced. "When seeking the greatest net good, one must consider all people likely to be affected by a set of alternatives and the array of outcomes (both good and bad) each alternative might generate for each person" (DeGeorge, 1994, 116). This comes closest to the idea of a win/win negotiation outcome. And, in the main, this ethical presupposition can and does lead to win/win events. However, the key question here (at least for the budding negotiator) is more critical."
Abstract This paper examines the ethical dilemma that the tobacco companies find themselves in, now that it is almost universally accepted that smoking can cause grave health risks. This paper questions why a company would sell a product that it knows is harmful and whether this is an ethical practice or not. The paper shows the tobacco companies' irresponsibility in the fact that they hid the consequences of using their product
From the Paper "This whole argument that the tobacco companies are unethical in the way they do business is grounded in the utilitarian moral doctrine. This states that ?we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our action. By good, utilitarians mean happiness or pleasure.? (Moral Issues 59a) This is obviously the case. For example, thousands of people are positively affected in the tobacco industry: lawyers, employees, executives, marketing, farmers, and the receivers of the taxes placed on the product. To these people, tobacco and cigarettes bring much pleasure, from money, to a job, to a way to relax, and not just to them, but to those around these people who are affected by their lives. Many people benefit from its existence. However, many millions of people die every year from smoking. And many millions more are affected by the illnesses, deaths, and addictions of these people, it is a huge ripple effect. So while thousands, and it is probably hundreds of thousands benefit, millions suffer. But the biggest disparity is that employees work for the firm for many years, turnover is relatively low. So over say 100 years, a relatively small number of total people benefit when compared to the 500 million expected to die, and the countless millions who will become sick, because 5 million die a year right now; such turnover is not seen on the benefit side of the argument. This is the main reason that the way in which the tobacco companies do business is shockingly unethical. To put it even more simply, many times more people become unhappy when encountering cigarettes and tobacco than become happy."
Assumes the role of Corporate Ethics Officer for Ford Motor Company and revises their existing corporate code of conduct, addressing major concerns the company has faced in the recent past.
Abstract The paper discusses Ford's current ethical risk environment, the change in business climate, SUV safety, the Firestone tire issue, employee rights and practices and driver education. It then goes on to structure and implement a revised corporate ethics program, define what it hopes to achieve and how it will measure success. It concludes with a discussion entitled "Learning From Our Mistakes: Correcting Past Failures".
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Our Ethical Risk Environment
A Change of Climate
Human Rights
Firestone
SUV Safety
Driver Education
Our Corporate Ethics Program
Structure
Implementation
What We Hope To Achieve
How We?ll Measure Our Success
Learning From Our Mistakes: Correcting Past Failures
Bibliography
From the Paper "Through our partnership with Firestone we learned many lessons. Together, we gained valuable insight into the importance of ensuring the quality of the products we make. Important as these evolving notions of corporate citizenship are, they build on what we consider to be the most basic element of citizenship: assuring the safety of those who trust us enough to drive our cars and trucks. Our customers have the same basic understanding: they always have expected us to make safe products and to take action when we discover a safety defect. We?ve learned that we must seek out new ways to review our suppliers' design and manufacturing processes. In the future, we plan to take a more active role in obtaining and analyzing data maintained by our suppliers concerning the performance of components used in our vehicles."
Abstract This paper focuses on Machiavelli's quote that a political leader needs to learn how "not to be good." In comparison, the writer uses President Clinton as a political leader who chose a similar path. The first part of this review looks at the piece from Machiavelli's viewpoint. The second half takes the points raised in the books and tries to relate them to the modern day example of Bill Clinton. The writer admits their opinion is tainted by their personal dislike for President Clinton but still attempts to make use of the comparison.
From the Paper "Political leaders are constantly struggling to be good. However, Machiavelli wrote "For how we live is so far removed from how we ought to live, that he who abandons what is done for what ought to be done, will rather learn to bring about his own ruin than his preservation," (ch. 15, p. 84). Here, Machiavelli acknowledges that he is a political realist. He is saying that he finds traditional standards of morality useless as practical advice. Machiavelli goes on to say that "A man who wishes to make a profession of goodness in everything must necessarily come to grief among so many who are not good."
Tags: good, morality, standards, compromise, clinton
Abstract This paper discusses how while 21st century technological advances in medicine offer promises of disease eradication, they bring with them a cost and how this cost may take many forms: A loss of privacy, a loss of ownership and a loss of control. It looks at how we must be careful to determine how such technological advances are utilized, be alert to their misuse and set up effective review boards and regulations to insure access, permit scientific progress yet forego misuse and manipulation by elements of greed and even experimentation for experimentation's sake. It also discusses in turn, the four major interest topics in the field of medical information ethics, privacy, accuracy, property and accessibility.
From the Paper "Ultimately, the questions that arise will be those that determine the who, when and why of treatment. Although we have many medical technology breakthroughs at our disposal today, there are many factors that contribute to their lack of use on today's medical front. One big factor is the insurance mediary who determines the necessity of such treatments, often denying life-saving procedures based on insurance coverage measures. In some cases, HMO groups pay physicians for their lack of specialist referrals. Equipment for procedures is expensive and may not be acquired by hospitals that feature care for high demographics of low-income patients. Therefore, a determination of patient privilege based on race, income or other increment may be purported. Is it ethical to withhold life-saving treatment from a patient based on their race?"
Abstract This paper examines how with capitalism and materialism gaining momentum,for a work place to be proficient in terms of quality, quantity and performance, it is highly essential that it concentrates on the moral content of organizational decision-making. It looks at how today, ethics is a major concern for global business and how the ethics of a workplace are only as much intact as the morality of its workforce. It evaluates how business enterprises are expected to work on how to modify the individual attitude in order to help business flourish and keep all employees satisfied and how incorporating and communicating ethics is a major concern and a challenge for the worldwide business.
From the Paper "Moreover, unethical behavior in the workplaces arising from the lack of ethical communication by the top management to the first-line supervisors proves the fact that employees are either directly or indirectly rewarded for unethical acts or harshly abandoned for going against the norm of practicing corruption (Zimmerman, 2001, p. 119). As explained by Jansen and Von Glinow through their exhaustive study that encouraging "counternorms" in an organization is also a form of promoting unethical standards in a company in order to save the firm's name or to avoid charges thereby reflecting the decreasing ethical communication in organizations. These experts believe that "within organizations, it is often considered not only acceptable but desirable, to be much more secretive and deceitful. The practice of stonewalling, willingly hiding relevant information is quite common (that fully supports our thesis statement). One reason for this is that organizations may actually punish those who are too open and honest" (Ronald & Sims, 1992, p. 505)."
Abstract This paper discusses Judith Thomson's article "A Defence of Abortion" where she states her opinion that some abortions are permissible and that fetuses are not human beings at the moment of conception. It then compares it to Don Marquis "Why Abortion is Immoral" in which he claims the opposite - that abortions are always impermissible and that fetuses are human beings from the moment of conception because they have a future. The author then shows, in the bulk of the paper, why he agrees with Thomson's argument.
From the Paper "This leads me to believe that if a woman has an unwanted pregnancy, she has a right to end it before the fetus is viable, because the fetus's life is dependent on the life of the biological mother. For example, if the mother were to incur a fatal injury before the fetus is viable the fetus would die, but if the baby is viable the baby could survive whether the mother lives or not. This is the first point in my opinion - that the fetus's future is able to be controlled by someone other than the biological mother. Before this point the mother has a right to do what she wants, because it is a part of her body and if the baby is unwanted, she is not doing anything morally wrong, because she is not hurting any person but herself. After the point where the baby is viable, it is morally wrong to have an abortion because that is a form of murder."
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the topic of euthanasia. Specifically, it discusses the morality of euthanasia and its outlook for the future in the United States. Euthanasia is a hotly debated topic, and one that still must be addressed by the people and the courts of the United States, for the good of all concerned.
Outline
Introduction and Thesis
Definition of Euthanasia
Passive Euthanasia
Removing Life Support
Active Euthanasia
Moral Issues
Moral and Religious Beliefs
Die With Dignity
Personal Experience
Ethical Issues
Death With Dignity Act in Oregon
Conclusion
Similarity to Netherlands Laws
From the Paper "The moral issues surrounding euthanasia are great, and show no signs of disappearing due to legislation or law anytime soon. There are too many vocal opponents to euthanasia, who believe it is morally wrong to end a life before it is ended naturally, no matter what the reasoning behind the euthanasia. In other words, it is morally wrong to end the suffering of another human being. The Catholic Church, as well as many other pro-life and religious groups condones this moral outlook. Usually, when euthanasia has been tested in the courts, it is because of these moral and religious beliefs. The proponents of euthanasia feel everyone has a right to die, just as they have a right to live, and everyone has the right to die with their dignity intact."
This paper examines four principles which need to be considered by health care professionals in order to determine the ethical value of their decisions.
Abstract This paper explains four principles which health care practitioners must consider when faced with a dilemma. They are A) autonomy, B) beneficiency, C) non-maleficence, and 4) justice. The author defines autonomy as the independence to determine one's own direction, conditioned only by the need to respect others? individual liberties. Beneficence is the righteous philosophy of doing good, while non-maleficence adds the condition that no harm should be done. Justice, the quality which creates the most controversy, may be defined as fair, just, equitable, and unbiased decision making.
Introduction
Morality And Ethics: What are they and Why do they Matter?
All You Need to Know about Ethics Approaches and Theories
Means, Ends, Principles and Virtues
A Six-Step Process of Ethical Decision Making for You to Follow
Surviving Professional Life Ethically
Ethical Dimensions of the Professional ?Patient Relationship
Special Challenges: "Difficult Patients" and Patients in Suicidal Crisis
Bibliography
From the Paper "Case studies become much more than words on a page when health care professionals see these names as people, who hurt, are afraid, and look to you, a medical professional for comfort. The actions the medical practitioner take next will help define their moral values. As Dr. Purtilo states on page 7, ?The goal of morality is to protect a high quality of life for an individual or for a community as a whole.? When one enters training to become a health care professional, the next stop should be to prepare themselves to deal with three types of morality: their own, their society?s, and that of society as a whole. These are pretty heavy topics for young people of 18 or 20 to ponder, but ponder them they must. If knowledge is the foundation of trust, morality must be its supporters. All medical professionals will encounter situations which should cause them to "search their souls" for the best answers. The case studies which Dr. Purtilo presents throughout this book are actually a means to play the "what if" game. "What if it were my father/husband/brother/son" What would I do?? Dr. Purtilo closes this first chapter by saying that the formation of our morality and values is an on-going process. Each case will present slightly different variables and questions, therefore each day will be a type of check-up of our values and morality."
Abstract This paper defines the ethics that a professional counselor or therapist is bound by. The paper explores various ethical issues that clients and therapists are faced with and how they are normally viewed and handled. The paper also discusses the profession itself and its beliefs about the ethics of its members. Using several professional journal articles and sources, the paper defines the ethics that are required, the problems that can occur surrounding working with troubled clients and the ethics that can arise in that practice and suggestions to protect both the client and the therapist or counselor.
From the Paper "Over the last five decades the use of professional counselors and therapists has been on the rise. Those who find their lives stunted because of emotional issues are often slowed in many areas of their life. The problem not only affects the person involved but also affects their family, friends and co-workers.
Professional counselors and therapists are charged with an extremely important duty. They assist in the troubled person working through the issue and learning to put their life back in order(Bakan, D. 1967).. There are times one goes to a professional counselor because of an isolated incident or issue and there are times one is needed because of a lifelong accumulation of issues or incidences. Regardless of the reason someone goes to a professional counselor or therapist it is important that they feel comfortable opening up to them(Baumrind, D. (1964).. It is equally important that the client be able to trust their counselor regarding confidentiality, professional conduct and other things(Baumrind, D. (1985).. "
Abstract The use of animals in testing has been going on for thousands of years and has led to some of the most significant and live saving medical breakthroughs on the planet. This paper argues that medical testing using animals should continue, as it saves lives and helps researchers discover life-saving technologies before testing on humans. The paper includes arguments on why using animals for testing is a widespread and scientifically sound practice.
From the Paper "Using animals, especially those that are bred in the lab specifically for medical research is not only cost effective, it is morally the correct thing to do. Some animal activists point to research done by cosmetic firms as a use of animals in testing that should be banned. One expert notes, "Rights thought dictates that we cannot kill one rights-holder to save another ? or even more than one other ? whether or not the life of the former is 'different' from that of the latter." However, millions also use cosmetics and health care products, and if any ingredient is potentially harmful, it is far better to discover it in animal testing rather than in testing on humans. Animal testing simply makes sense for a variety of reasons, including cost savings, preservation of human life, and the safety and security of future generations."
Abstract This paper examines why a high standard of ethical behavior is just as important for non-profit corporations as it is for for-profit corporations. The paper makes special reference to the recent problems with the United States Olympic Committee, which demonstrated that even non-profit organizations are subject to corporate failure and need to be monitored and regulated. The paper suggests that a responsible organization will in fact benefit from its own proper actions, as well as ultimately benefiting the wider business and social community.
From the Paper "To take up the moral objections first, one can argue that corporate social responsibility must be practiced because it is the right thing to do. A business executive should never find himself or herself asking the question: "If I conduct my business in an unethical way, how much more money will I make"? Rather, each individual must determine how much gain is reasonable and, having decided this, match those expectations of financial gain with a business that can be carried out in a responsible and moral fashion (www.business-ethics.org). This is true rather one is raising money for a charity or trying to make a profit."
Abstract This paper explores the controversial subject of minors being executed for crimes. It explores several cases when minors were sentenced to death for cruel murders committed. The paper argues that although sentencing a minor to death is not a solution to crime, certain circumstances require this type of justice to be meted out.
From the Paper "The Supreme Court case of Stanford v. Kentucky set the federal minimum age of minors executed. The case actually involved two offenders. First, Kevin Stanford was charged with killing Barbel Poore, who was 20 years of age. Stanford repeatedly raped and sodomized Poore during and after a robbery at a gas station where she worked. He then shot her in the face, then in the back of the head. Does this sound like an act of a child? Another case studied involved Heath Wilkins. He was 16 and a half when he robbed a store and murdered 26-year-old Nancy Allen. After stabbing her 8 times, he left her to die. These do not seem like the acts that a na?ve child would make. These acts were well planned and their consequences were known."
