PHI445 Week 1 Discussion 1
After reviewing Chapter 1 in your textbook and watching “Virtue Ethics,” find a contemporary article showing how the theory of psychological egoism in a corporation resulted in an ethical dilemma.
My example is the case of negligence against the Dow Corning Corporation. “The jury found that Dow Corning Corporation (DCC) had marketed to her a defective silicone gel-filled breast implants (SBI) that allegedly contributed to her autoimmune disorders” (Mascarenhas, 1995, p 44).
Is there a way that the decision-making process within a large corporation can overcome this fact of human selfishness?
One of the ways to overcome this setback is to replace the personnel who mad the decision to continue with the release of the product knowing the possible health risk and side effects.
What would be a solution in this scenario?
When the potential health risk and side effects were discovered, the company should have alerted the public immediately and initiated a recall of the product.
How does the theory of psychological egoism fit within your personal body of ethics and values?
In our text, it defines psychological egoism as “Human conduct is selfishly motivated and we cannot perform actions from any other motive” (Fieser, Moseley, 2012, p 1.3). I personally disagree with this line of thinking. My values and ethics and values follow the pattern of treating people the same way you wish to be treated and being honest.
How does the theory of psychological egoism fit within the ethical structure of the company or organization you work for now or have worked for in the past?
My philosophy is in line with the company I work for which is the US Army. The army follows the core values of integrity and selfless service and requires this of all its employees and their business dealings.
Fieser, J. & Moseley, A. (2012). Introduction to business ethics. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPHI445.12.1/sections/sec1.3
My example is the case of negligence against the Dow Corning Corporation. “The jury found that Dow Corning Corporation (DCC) had marketed to her a defective silicone gel-filled breast implants (SBI) that allegedly contributed to her autoimmune disorders” (Mascarenhas, 1995, p 44).
Is there a way that the decision-making process within a large corporation can overcome this fact of human selfishness?
One of the ways to overcome this setback is to replace the personnel who mad the decision to continue with the release of the product knowing the possible health risk and side effects.
What would be a solution in this scenario?
When the potential health risk and side effects were discovered, the company should have alerted the public immediately and initiated a recall of the product.
How does the theory of psychological egoism fit within your personal body of ethics and values?
In our text, it defines psychological egoism as “Human conduct is selfishly motivated and we cannot perform actions from any other motive” (Fieser, Moseley, 2012, p 1.3). I personally disagree with this line of thinking. My values and ethics and values follow the pattern of treating people the same way you wish to be treated and being honest.
How does the theory of psychological egoism fit within the ethical structure of the company or organization you work for now or have worked for in the past?
My philosophy is in line with the company I work for which is the US Army. The army follows the core values of integrity and selfless service and requires this of all its employees and their business dealings.
Fieser, J. & Moseley, A. (2012). Introduction to business ethics. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPHI445.12.1/sections/sec1.3