business ethics final

What does moral psychology scientifically study about human behavior?

How people think, feel, and act in moral situations

According to Fisman and Galinsky, what is moral architecture?

Institutional structures and environments that guide ethical behavior

What is the primary purpose of moral theory in philosophy?

To explain what makes actions morally right or wrong

Can different moral theories reach the same moral conclusion?

Yes, they can agree despite different reasoning

Which moral theory emphasizes character rather than individual actions?

Virtue ethics

According to utilitarianism, what is intrinsically valuable?

Happiness or wellbeing

What does hedonistic utilitarianism identify as good and bad?

Pleasure is good and pain is bad

How does utilitarianism determine whether an action is morally right?

By evaluating its consequences

What does utilitarianism mean by trade-offs between consequences?

Weighing overall good against overall harm

Why is cost-benefit analysis considered utilitarian reasoning?

It evaluates actions by comparing total benefits and costs

What did Jeremy Bentham claim about pleasure, rights, and liberty?

Moral decisions should maximize pleasure; rights are not fundamental

Do all utilitarians believe pleasure is the only ultimate moral good?

No, some include broader notions of wellbeing

What distinction does John Stuart Mill make between types of pleasure?

Higher intellectual pleasures and lower bodily pleasures

According to Kant, what ultimately makes an action morally right?

Acting from duty in accordance with moral law

What motive must an agent have for an action to count as moral for Kant?

The motive of duty

How does Kant propose we assess the morality of an action?

By testing its maxim with the categorical imperative

What is the function of the categorical imperative in Kant’s ethics?

To determine whether a maxim can be universalized

What does it mean to say that a person has a moral duty in Kantian ethics?

They are obligated by reason alone

Why does Kant think moral action is autonomous?

Because it is guided by reason rather than desire

What is the difference between autonomy and heteronomy for Kant?

Autonomy follows reason; heteronomy follows inclinations

What does Kant mean by inclinations?

Desires, impulses, and personal preferences

In Aristotle’s ethics, what is meant by a telos?

The purpose or function of a thing

What question is central to virtue ethics rather than rule-based ethics?

What kind of person should I be?

According to Aristotle, what are the key components of a virtue?

A rational habit of choosing the mean between extremes

What does Aristotle identify as the final end or highest good of human life?

Eudaimonia

How does Aristotle define what it means for something to be good?

Fulfilling its function well

According to Aristotle’s function argument, what is distinctive about humans?

Rational activity

According to the function argument, what does objective human happiness consist in?

Excellent rational activity in accordance with virtue

What is Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean?

Virtue lies between excess and deficiency

How are virtues related to objective happiness in Aristotle’s theory?

Virtues enable flourishing and happiness

Why is acquiring virtues essential in Aristotle’s ethics?

Virtues allow humans to fulfill their nature

How does virtue ethics guide action in specific situations?

By asking what a virtuous person would do

What is a Pareto Improvement in welfare economics?

A change that benefits at least one person without harming others

Why do welfare economists think free markets create Pareto Improvements?

Because exchanges are voluntary

How do utilitarians typically justify the free market?

Markets maximize preference satisfaction

What is one major objection to the claim that preference satisfaction is always good?

Preferences can be harmful or uninformed

What is the first moral objection to a market for military service?

It coerces economically vulnerable individuals

Under what conditions does the coercion objection apply to military labor markets?

When people lack reasonable alternatives

What is the second objection to a market for military service?

It corrupts the civic meaning of service

According to Sandel, what do jury duty and military service have in common?

Both are civic duties rather than market commodities

What is the first objection to commercial surrogacy contracts?

They exploit and coerce economically vulnerable women

Why are choices made under pressure not fully free according to nonlibertarian views?

They lack genuine consent

What is the second objection to commercial surrogacy markets?

They commodify and corrupt motherhood

What kind of moral objections are the first objections to military labor and surrogacy markets?

Fairness and coercion objections

What kind of moral objections are the second objections to military labor and surrogacy markets?

Corruption or degradation objections

Do these objections recommend absolute bans on all markets?

No, they argue for moral limits

According to Hausman and McPherson, what is a key distortion in welfare economics?

Equating wellbeing with preference satisfaction

Why does the preference satisfaction account fail the test for identity?

It differs from wellbeing in some cases

What does the coral snake example demonstrate about preference satisfaction?

Satisfying preferences can reduce wellbeing

What does the world-peace-in-the-future example demonstrate?

Preferences can be satisfied without increasing wellbeing

How do welfare economists respond to anti-identity arguments?

Preference satisfaction is the best available proxy

How do Hausman and McPherson define paternalism?

Restricting liberty for a person’s own good

What fundamental right do libertarians emphasize?

Self-ownership

What do libertarians see as the proper role of government?

Protecting individual rights

What kind of state is libertarianism compatible with?

A minimal state

What functions are permitted in a libertarian state?

Police, courts, and national defense

What are patterned theories of justice?

Theories requiring a specific distribution pattern

Why does Nozick claim taxation is morally equivalent to forced labor?

It takes labor without consent

How do libertarians respond to the claim that talents are undeserved?

Self-ownership justifies keeping earnings

How do libertarians view unequal distributions of wealth?

Morally acceptable if arising from free exchange

What claim does the libertarian justification of the free market rest on?

Voluntary exchange creates rightful outcomes

How do libertarians define freedom?

The absence of coercion

What is the core idea behind property rights for libertarians?

The right to control and exclude others

According to virtue theory, what is the final end of economic activity?

Human flourishing

How does a free market contribute to virtue development?

It allows responsibility and moral agency

According to Hill and Rae, which virtues require a free market?

Prudence, responsibility, cooperation

What are the two primary goals of the product liability system?

Compensation and deterrence

Which goal of product liability is non-negotiable according to lecture?

Deterrence

According to Tullberg, which goal should product liability prioritize?

Compensation

What does Tullberg mean by narrow responsibility?

Liability only for direct harms caused

According to Anderson, how can both product liability goals be achieved?

Through regulation and insurance

What system should replace tort-based product liability according to Anderson?

An insurance-based system

Which moral theory is reflected in Savan’s claim that advertising involves lies?

Deontology

What is the utilitarian critique of advertising?

It manipulates preferences and reduces wellbeing

What is the deontological critique of advertising?

It deceives consumers and undermines autonomy

What is the virtue ethics critique of advertising?

It shapes bad character traits

According to Savan, which two vices does advertising promote?

Materialism and gullibility

What is at-will employment in labor relations?

Employment that can be terminated at any time for legal reasons

What is corporate downsizing?

Laying off workers to reduce costs

What is shareholder primacy?

The view that managers must prioritize shareholder profits

Why does shareholder primacy often lead to downsizing?

Because layoffs increase profits

What does stakeholder theory argue?

Firms owe duties to all affected parties

According to Orlando, should employees receive moral consideration in downsizing?

Yes

Why does Orlando argue shareholders face no distinctive risk?

They can diversify investments

What kinds of harms do workers face when downsized?

Financial, psychological, and social harms

According to Orlando, when is downsizing morally acceptable?

Only to prevent serious harm to the firm

What analogy does Orlando use to explain justified downsizing?

A lifeboat or emergency analogy

How does Hochschild define alienation?

Disconnection from one’s genuine emotions

Why is alienation morally problematic according to Hochschild?

It damages identity and wellbeing

What is emotional labor according to Hochschild?

Managing emotions as part of paid work

What occupation does Hochschild use to illustrate emotional labor?

Flight attendants

Do many workers have to fake emotions on the job?

Yes

Does Hochschild believe emotional labor can sometimes be positive?

Yes

What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate action aimed at social good beyond profit

What position does Milton Friedman defend regarding CSR?

Corporations should maximize shareholder profits

Which moral theory best supports Friedman’s expertise objection to CSR?

Utilitarianism

Which moral theory supports Friedman’s claim that managers lack the right to pursue CSR?

Deontology

Why does Friedman’s knowledge argument fit utilitarian reasoning?

It concerns outcomes and effectiveness

How does Stone respond to the promissory argument against CSR?

No explicit promise to maximize profits exists

How does Stone respond to the agency argument against CSR?

Managers already exercise discretion