Business ethics
1. On page 381, you will find 3 bullet-statements (not inside Table 8.1). The first one reads: The rights-based ethical tradition… and the second one reads: The utilitarian tradition…
(a) Explain what each one of these bullet-statements means, in your own words.
(b) Apply each of these ideas to a single transaction: Someone buys a fiber powder supplement. How would the first bullet statement (rights-based) assess the purchasethat is, how would it judge if the sale was right or wrong? (c) How would the second statement (utilitarian) assess the purchasejudge if the sale was right or wrong?
2. Read the Reality Check at the top of page 386. Then answer the following question from that passage: If consumers were provided with full information about a (prescription) drug, should they be left free to decide for themselves whether or not to use it (without a prescpription)? Produce your own answer (yes or no) and defend your answer, without any outside research.
3. Read the Reality Check on page 388. That passage concludes with 4 bullet statements. Provide a justifiable answer to each question posed in the first 3 bullet statements (drop the fourth bullet statement). So, you need to provide justifiable answers to 5 questions total. (Bullet statement #1 asks 2 questions, bullet statement #2 asks 2 questions, and bullet statement #3 asks 1 question). Note: Base all your answers only on the passage given in this Reality Check. Do not use any outside information to answer these questions.
4. Read the Reality Check on page 393.
(a) Based on this passage alone and no outside information, summarize the argument for GMO-labeling (given here) and summarize the argument against GMO-labeling (given here).
(b) Is it reasonable to expect that some consumers will interpret the label as a warning that GMO foods are unhealthy? Explain.
5. Consider the following radio advertisement for CoolSculpting:
SAY GOODBYE TO MUFFIN TOPS AND LOVE HANDLES. CoolSculpting was developed by renowned Harvard University scientists, Dieter Manstein, MD and R. Rox Anderson, MD. CoolSculpting technology was born of the observation that some children got dimples due to eating popsicles. The idea that cold can selectively affect fat cells was the insight behind Cryolipolysis, the proven science on which CoolSculpting is based. CoolSculpting is the coolest, most innovative, non-surgical way to lose those annoying bumps and bulges of stubborn fat. This revolutionary technology targets and cools unwanted fat cells in the selected area to induce a noticeable, natural-looking reduction in fat bulges. Unlike most other methods of fat reduction, CoolSculpting involves no needles, no surgery, or downtime. Patients often spend procedure time reading, working on their laptops, or simply relaxing. Its safe, FDA-cleared, and effective. Results look natural and can be seen as early as three weeks following treatment, with the most dramatic results after one to three months.
SUPPOSE making fat cold (freezing fat) does nothing to itproduces no loss of fatonce the fat returns to room temperature. QUESTION: Go through the radio ad given here, line-by-line, and find and explain 3 separate deceptions in it.
Notes to help you answer the question: In the U.S., deception in advertising is illegal. False advertisementsads containing deceptionare shut down by the FTC. The reasonable consumer standard is employed in the U.S. to determine what is and what is not deceptive in advertising: Would a reasonable consumer be misled by the ad? Reasonable consumers know that when you say your razor gives the smoothest shave or your shampoo produces the silkiest hair, that these are mere puffery and so allowed: They are not examples of deception since a reasonable consumer knows silkiest and smoothest are subjective.
Last note: Do not bring in any outside research. Do not investigate CoolSculpting or try to find out if the procedure works, etc. You are analyzing the advertisement I have provided here only, the words provided here only, as if I made up the advertisement myself, while assuming the product does not cause the permanent reduction of fat.
Book: Business Ethics: Decision Making for Personal Integrity and Social Responsibility, by Laura Hartman, Joseph DesJardins, and Chris MacDonald, 4th edition 2018
