Utilitarian View of Ethics - Essay Example

Business ethics Ethical behavior simply refers to acting in a consistent manner in which individual or business actions are in accordance to what the society expects from them. These acts involve respecting the people and environment and ensuring that whatever one does not infringe into their well-being, but adds value to their life. There are a myriad ways in which ethical behavior or social responsibility can be expressed. This mainly depends on the laws, social culture and responsibility. Ethics can be broadly categorized into four views: utilitarian view of ethics, individualism view of ethics, moral rights view of ethics and justice view of ethics (FERRELL, 2012, p. 56). This paper will discuss and comment on these views on ethics so that we can understand their importance and implications to the society’s well-being. Utilitarian view of ethics Utilitarian view of ethics is based on one cardinal principle; that good is to be done to the majority. It is a mixture of both beneficial and evil deeds in the view that the majority of the people to be happy, then some must be sacrificed. This is because whatever gets to impress one person might be annoying to the other. However, something might impress many people, but annoy a few. In this case, the unimpressed minority have to be sacrificed. The rule of utilitarian ethics goes beyond personal action. In my view, it is simply about maximizing on the moral and minimizing on the bad. I believe that such a view of ethics is fair and applicable since it would be impossible to impress all the people in a society. Individualism view of ethics Individualism refers to protection of self-interest; therefore, individualism view of ethics refers to where one is responsible to its environment based on a long term self-interest that is being pursued. In individualism, one seeks tom impress the whole population because whatever is in store depends mostly on the whole population in question. This type of social ethics is not appropriate in the world because it promotes conformance to acceptable social behavior, as long as there is something one hopes to gain (SOURYAL, 2010, p. 67). If there is nothing to gain then it means that one has no obligation to be friendly to the environment. One can also stop being true to the environment immediately. In summary, this is an unfair ethical practice since it is not guaranteed to the subjects. Moral-rights view of ethics Human rights are the governing rule that define what a person is entitled to, and any person who crosses the set parameter is viable to punishment by law. Moral rights ethical view seeks to protect the fundamental right to all. In this case, the actor proceeds without weighing the positive or negative effects of the action but on whether it is in accordance to the human rights. In my opinion, this is among the fair view of social ethics since it applies to all. There is also no malice to this since it has no self-interest. In this light, therefore, I can advise all the people to implement this view of ethic since it is fair to all. Justice view of ethics When one gets to meet the word justice, the first thing that would cross one’s mind is the rule of law. Justice view of ethics is simply based on making sure that everybody is accorded impartial and fair treatment according to the rules of the land (CRANE, 2007, p. 78). In my opinion, this view of ethical behavior depends on what the people who wrote the law is right, but not on a personal view. This might be a hindrance to better ethical behavior. However, it is fair since it follows the laws of the land, which is considered right at all times because it is the people who assisted in crating those laws. It is convenient to practice this view of ethics. Ethical behavior in respect to corporate social responsibility Corporate social responsibility applies to companies and or other public or private institutions. This is where a company acts in accordance to acceptable guidelines to impress its stakeholders just like ethical behavior; an institution may opt to adopt any of the four views of moral conformance so as to impress its stake holders. Utilitarian view of ethics: an institution will apply this in corporate social responsibility by ensuring majority of its stake holders are impressed by their goods and services (ENNINGS, 2012, p. 45). A company my produce a product that appeals to the majority of its stakeholders, but not to all of them. Coke as a beverage manufacturing company may produce a drink and pack and brand it in a way that most of its stakeholders appreciate. However, not all of them will appreciate it. Individualism view of ethics: an institution may offer a service so as to impress its stakeholders for a period of time in order to achieving something from that. Immediately they achieve their target, then they terminate the service or will continue to provide the services if only they achieve whatever it is they want (CROCKER, 1998, p. 33). A private school may offer free transport services to student in order to enroll many of them. Immediately they achieve their target, they terminate the service. Moral-rights view of ethics: an institution is obliged not to infringe on the rights of its stakeholder so as to ensure a healthy relationship with them. There are many human rights that an institution s required to maintain such as fair treatment and earnings in case of its employees. Justice view of ethics: this view of ethics is the most common form of corporate social responsibility to institutions. Business institutions will do their best to obey the law so as to impress their stake holders. In the present world, this mostly involves environmental issues. For example, a company may redesign its working hours to ensure they do not cause noise pollution to the inhabitants of its environments. Another example is that a company may change its waste disposal techniques so as to ensure its stakeholders are comfortable. References Ferrel, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrel, L. (2012). Business ethics: ethical decision making and cases. Mason, OH, South-Western/Cengage Learning. Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2007). Business ethics: managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford [u.a.], Oxford Univ. Press. Ennings, M. (2012). Business ethics: case studies and selected readings. Australia, South-Western, Cengage Learning. Crocker, D. A. (1998). Ethics of consumption: the good life, justice and global stewardship. Lanham [u.a.], Rowman & Littlefield. Souryal, S. S. (2010). Ethics in business. Oxford, Anderson. Schermerhorn, J. R. (2011). Exploring management. Hoboken, N.J., Wiley. Read More