Business Ethics Coursework (Coursework Sample)

Business Ethics
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Traditional Utilitarianism is a theory which states that an action is only permitted if and only if it will increase utility. It is an ethical system that judges the integrity of human acts in terms of happiness or good that they bring about. The concept of Utilitarianism advocates greatest production for the greatest number. This theory rests on two elements: on account that, the rule for judging all acts and decisions should be in fair terms. This theory tells us to consider the consequences of any particular act and judge the ethical status of that act in terms of those consequences. If the act tends to maximize good consequences, it is a morally right act; if it does not, the act is ethically wrong. This essay will examine the concept of utilitarianism in details.
This concept can help an individual in determining whether an action is morally right. It advocates that an act is right from an ethical point of view if and only if the total sum of utilities produced by that action is better than the sum total of utilities provided by any other act the means could have performed in its place. The utilitarian theory requires that the overall net balance of pleasure over pain should be maximized (Brandt 1995).
The requirements of the utilitarian theory often conflict with the demands of justice, and there is no fixed rule to resolve these conflicts. Some people have raised concerns that the ethics of care can easily result into unfair favoritism (Alican 1994). To resolve these conflicts, there are four considerations to determine what the moral action should be undertaken at any particular occasion. These considerations include; utilitarian standards, under this the utilitarian concept is used when there are no enough resources to attain everyone’s objectives, and we are required to consider the net social advantages and social costs resulting on the actions by which we attain these objectives. Secondly, we have the standards that specify how individuals must be treated. This are employed when the actions and policies that we normally undertake, affect the welfare and freedom of specific individuals in the society. Moral considerations of this type forces consideration of whether the behavior respects the fundamental rights of the individuals involved and whether the conduct respects the basic human rights of the individuals concerned and whether the actions are consistent with one’s agreements and unique duties. The third consideration is the standard of justice which indicates how benefits and burden should be distributed among the members of a group. The last consideration is the standard of caring which indicate the kind of care that we should give to those people that we are related to (Weinstein 2007).
The utilitarian concept is attractive to many because it helps to preserve consistency and stability in the moral life and clearly supports the social fabric of the human community by giving such prominent place to commonly communal norms, laws or duties as its point of reference. It also shows that some aspects of actions cannot be sacrificed to consequences. This theory is also important as it puts strategies that ensure peaceful coexistence in the society. Ecological ethic is a concept that shows how o...