Ethics and Values in Business Practices

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a desirable common value in various cultures?

Honesty

Integrity

Equality

Greed (correct)

What is one of the major global risks affecting investor confidence in emerging markets?

Political instability (correct)

Robust economic growth

Cultural diversification

High consumer demand

Which act prohibits American companies from making corrupt payments to foreign officials?

The Sherman Antitrust Act

The U.K. Bribery Act

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (correct)

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act

The Philippine Competition Act established which commission to enforce its rules?

Philippine Competition Commission Signup and view all the answers

Which undesirable value is characterized by excessive self-importance and a lack of humility?

Pride Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ethical issue is associated with the use of unfair business practices to control market factors?

Antitrust activity Signup and view all the answers

Which common value promotes community spirit and connection among individuals?

Community unity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ethical issues pertains to the protection of individual freedoms and entitlements?

Human rights Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of men's earnings do women make on average?

75% Signup and view all the answers

Which principle has the first priority in Rawls' theory?

Basic rights and liberties for all Signup and view all the answers

In the context of moral pluralism, what is a key characteristic of moral pluralists?

They analyze issues from multiple moral perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What scenario exemplifies the challenges faced by a moral pluralist?

Deciding whether to save children from a burning building at personal risk Signup and view all the answers

What does ethical pluralism propose about moral norms?

Many theories about right and wrong may be incompatible. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the idea of moral relativism?

Moral judgments are based on societal norms and context. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the relationship between moral pluralism and moral absolutism?

Moral pluralism sits between absolutism and relativism. Signup and view all the answers

What is one ethical issue related to Internet security mentioned?

The use of cookies for tracking users. Signup and view all the answers

Which major human rights issue is highlighted in the content?

Health care availability and affordability. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key challenges when engaging internationally, according to ethical pluralism?

Navigating different incompatible moral norms. Signup and view all the answers

Which issue reflects gender inequality in the workplace?

Pay disparity between genders. Signup and view all the answers

What factor has led to questioning the idea that greater consumption is always better?

Resource strains around the world Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of ethical decision-making in a global context?

To avoid legal and political troubles Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'living wage' refer to?

The wage that meets basic needs for workers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main belief underpinning consumerism?

Consumers should dictate the economic structure. Signup and view all the answers

What do global business codes of ethics aim to provide?

Guidelines for international operations Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical dilemma is associated with multinational corporations regarding labor?

Gender pay inequality among employees. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following declarations references God as the source of rights?

The Declaration of Independence Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did executives of bailed-out financial firms face?

Excessive compensation amidst failure. Signup and view all the answers

According to natural law, where do human rights originate?

Human nature Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern arises from corporate practices surrounding personal information?

Invasive tracking and data collection. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of made-to-break items?

They encourage repeated consumer purchases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the principles of universal human rights?

All individuals are equal by nature Signup and view all the answers

What are ethical consumerism and planned obsolescence related to?

Consumer behavior and marketing Signup and view all the answers

What view does positivism hold regarding human rights?

Human rights are only those defined by legal documents. Signup and view all the answers

According to Benedict XVI, what is crucial for affirming rights without contradiction?

Grounding rights in the Creator's design for man. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the most effective protection against abuse of power according to the content?

A written constitution reflecting the people's will Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental aspects are associated with human dignity as mentioned in the content?

Gender, race, and social condition Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of laws according to the content?

To protect natural rights given by God Signup and view all the answers

According to Jesús Mosterín, what determines the existence of rights?

Legal documents and conventions created by society Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the message on the World Day of Peace highlight as essential for human rights?

The natural foundation of human rights Signup and view all the answers

What common characteristic do all human beings share according to the content?

An intrinsic value of dignity conferred by God. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Taittiriyaka Upanishad suggest about the relationship between a father and a child?

The father should be revered like a god. Signup and view all the answers

Which religion emphasizes the importance of filial piety towards parents?

Buddhism Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the Hebrew Bible's Genesis 2:24 emphasize?

Unity between husband and wife is essential. Signup and view all the answers

Which teaching highlights the importance of unity among siblings?

Psalm 133:1 Signup and view all the answers

What does the Qur'an teach about resolving conflicts among brothers?

Set things right and fear God for mercy. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is addressed by the statement, 'What God has joined together, let not man put asunder'?

Divorce should be avoided. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Akan Proverb, what is expected when parents care for their children?

Children must care for their parents in old age. Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of loyalty as described in the Hinduism teaching about honesty?

Sitting with the honest and virtuous. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Justice and Fairness by John Rawls

Rawls's theory examines distributive justice, focusing on the ethical distribution of benefits and burdens in society.
Kant's ethics and utilitarianism primarily address right and wrong actions, unlike Rawls's approach.
Rawls's work, a version of social contract theory, draws from philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Core to Rawls's thought is the concept of a "veil of ignorance," a hypothetical state where individuals making ethical decisions are unaware of their own future circumstances.
Key factors unknown to individuals behind the veil include class, social status, capabilities, gender, race, wealth etc.

Four Classic Theories of Distributive Justice

Egalitarian: "To all the same."
Meritocratic/Capitalist: "To each according to their merit."
Socialist: "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need."
Libertarian: "From each what they freely choose to contribute, to each what they have made or others have freely chosen to contribute."

Justice at Clarkson

A table is presented outlining examples of fairness principles applied in specific situations at Clarkson, relating them to egalitarianism, meritocracy, socialism and libertarianism.
The table describes the varying perspectives/criteria for accessing resources (e.g., health center, sports facilities), including rewards based on grades or job quality following graduation, or financial aid in the case of socialism.

Rawls's Theory of Justice as Fairness

Rawls asks what principles of justice people would choose when creating a society if they knew nothing about their future position in it.
This hypothetical moment (the "original position") involves a "veil of ignorance."
Rawls presents two general principles:
- First principle: Equal rights to basic liberties for all citizens.
- Second principle: Social and economic inequalities are acceptable only if they benefit everyone and are available to all.
Basic liberties include political liberty (right to vote), freedom of speech and assembly, liberty of conscience, freedom regarding one's person, right to hold personal property, and freedom from arbitrary arrest.

Rawls's Operational Definition of Justice as Fairness

To decide if a rule is just, imagine yourself in the original position, behind the veil of ignorance.
Would you accept this rule for distributing benefits/burdens?
If not, it's not considered fair and therefore isn't just.

Rawls's First Principle

Focuses on the basic liberties for all citizens.
Includes political office, freedom of speaking and assembly, conscientious and thought freedoms, and freedom over property.

Rawls's Second Principle

Addresses arranging social and economic inequalities.
Ensuring positions of authority/command are open to all (not hereditary), without exclusions like gender, race etc.
A proposed rule where women consistently earn less than men is questioned.

Priorities Among Rawls's Principles

Basic rights and liberties take precedence.
Decreasing liberties shouldn’t be justified by social/economic gains.

Moral Pluralism

Acknowledges multiple, potentially conflicting, moral viewpoints.
A core principle for moral pluralists is to be open-minded toward alternative viewpoints.
Moral pluralism offers a middle ground between moral absolutism (one correct answer) and moral relativism (no wrong answer).
Example: Moral dilemmas arise when actions that respect one moral value may harm another.

Ethical Pluralism

Many moral norms or theories may conflict, or some might be incompatible or incommensurable with our own norms.
Encountering conflicting norms is part of international engagement, requiring thoughtful consideration when deciding which norms to follow.

Ethical Dilemma Examples

Problems can arise if moral values in different societies clash with yours (e.g., worker pay, sexual education).

Globalization and Ethics

Advances in technology and transportation have lessened global barriers and accelerated economic growth.
Differing cultural values, beliefs, and laws across nations complicate cross-cultural business transactions.
Global risks, legal considerations, and ethical business practices pose significant dilemmas.
Issues like bribery, antitrust activity, internet security, human rights, health care, labor rights, compensation and consumerism are significant considerations.

Global Cultures, Values, and Practices

Defines national culture as the sum of tangible and intangible elements like concepts, values, and beliefs.
Explores national culture using perspectives of Geert Hofstede.
Explores the principle of cultural relativism.
Shares common values (family, integrity, equality). Explores cultural variations.
Addresses ethical issues for people involved in intercultural interactions.

Global Ethical Issues

Global risks include political instability, economic turmoil, social conflict etc. in developing regions and their impact on businesses.
Bribery is an ethical issue, prohibited by legal acts (such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery, and Philippine Competition Act)
Antitrust activity to prevent market control by single entities.
Issues of internet security/privacy, human rights, healthcare access for workers, compensation policies, consumer behavior, globalization and universal ethical principles are significant.

Religion and Human Rights

Religion shapes moral values, and there are diverse religious opinions on rights and justice.
Key doctrines include the Golden Rule (treat others as you wish to be treated) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Some perspectives see human rights as God-endowed, while others see rights arising from legal frameworks and conventions.
Religion plays a role in forming views on love, life, peace, and respect/honor.

Family Values and Peace

Family is a source of both love and peacebuilding.
Promoting virtues in family life (filial piety, fidelity, fraternity) and upholding family values are important for peaceful societies.

Principles For Securing Peace & Human Rights

Encouraging acts of service for the common good and fostering spiritual/moral leadership/cooperation.
Fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among people of different cultures/religions.

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Description

This quiz explores common values, ethical issues, and regulatory frameworks in business. It addresses global risks, fairness in compensation, and moral pluralism principles. Test your understanding of these important concepts and their implications in various cultures.