Business Ethics and International Law
Business Ethics and International Law
Avis Robinson
LAW415
December 7, 2010
Professor Cannon
Business Ethics and International Law Business ethics is defined as the analysis of a variety of disputes that can come about with the business surroundings and how employees of the company deal with those disputes ethically (Investorwords.com, 2011). These ethics run every company in one way or another. Each person lives by ethical theories to make decisions. The government also has laws that help us to make the correct decisions. Certain international laws help to guide companies to choose wisely in order to not be found liable for actions that are wrong. Below are the analysis of the ethical theories and an assessment of an anti-bribery act. Evaluating Ethical Theories The theories to consider when reviewing Ruth’s actions are 1) ethical fundamentalism, 2) utilitarianism, 3) Kantian ethics, 4) Rawls’s social justice theory, and 4) ethical relativism (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). Ethical fundamentalism is ethical rules or commands that derive from outside source or a central figure (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). As in the scenario with Ruth, her main goal was to sell Phil’s house, so her first thoughts were centered on how to sell the house. The thought to furnish the house to increase her efforts was fundamentally ethical. Utilitarianism is when one performs an action for the greater good of the society or environment (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). As with Ruth, she believed that it was necessary to sell the house quickly to remove a vacant house off the housing market. Kantian Ethics is based on people using reason to make an ethical decision as in the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). Ruth performed this ethic when she followed through with selling Phil’s house; however, not when she returned the furniture under the assumption that she had changed her mind. Though Ruth was within the time
Avis Robinson
LAW415
December 7, 2010
Professor Cannon
Business Ethics and International Law Business ethics is defined as the analysis of a variety of disputes that can come about with the business surroundings and how employees of the company deal with those disputes ethically (Investorwords.com, 2011). These ethics run every company in one way or another. Each person lives by ethical theories to make decisions. The government also has laws that help us to make the correct decisions. Certain international laws help to guide companies to choose wisely in order to not be found liable for actions that are wrong. Below are the analysis of the ethical theories and an assessment of an anti-bribery act. Evaluating Ethical Theories The theories to consider when reviewing Ruth’s actions are 1) ethical fundamentalism, 2) utilitarianism, 3) Kantian ethics, 4) Rawls’s social justice theory, and 4) ethical relativism (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). Ethical fundamentalism is ethical rules or commands that derive from outside source or a central figure (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). As in the scenario with Ruth, her main goal was to sell Phil’s house, so her first thoughts were centered on how to sell the house. The thought to furnish the house to increase her efforts was fundamentally ethical. Utilitarianism is when one performs an action for the greater good of the society or environment (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). As with Ruth, she believed that it was necessary to sell the house quickly to remove a vacant house off the housing market. Kantian Ethics is based on people using reason to make an ethical decision as in the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Cheeseman, 2010, pgs. 20-23). Ruth performed this ethic when she followed through with selling Phil’s house; however, not when she returned the furniture under the assumption that she had changed her mind. Though Ruth was within the time
References: Cheeseman, Henry R., 2010. The legal environment of business and online commerce: Business ethics, e-commerce, regulatory, and international issues. Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall. Retrieved January 8, 2011 from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/ content/DownloadList.aspx?assetMetaId=61859383-2c36-48f5-8ac2-4a24e5c61e14& assetDataId=fb9bdcea-ca02-48cc-b883-c1cf12695559. Investorwords.com. 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2011 from http://www.investorwords.com/ 6431/business_ethics.html.