Why, according to Solomon may the phrase “Business Ethics” sound odd at first? Explain. Why does he claim that it is not, after all a “Contradiction in terms” but a necessary condition for businesses and corporations to be profitable and thrive, i.e., to be successful? Give reasons.
Robert Solomon & “Making Money & the Importance of
Virtues” & “Corporate Virtues”
(1) Why, according to Solomon may the phrase “Business Ethics” sound odd at first? Explain. Why does he claim that it is not, after all a “Contradiction in terms” but a necessary condition for businesses and corporations to be profitable and thrive, i.e., to be successful? Give reasons.
(2) Companies sometimes make mistakes and/or intentionally behave very unethically. How do the examples presented in class, i.e., Tylenol, Firestone, Nestle, Enron, show different responses and attitudes about moral responsibility when corporations f…up? What makes Tylenol the only one of the four who’s CEO did the right thing in their crisis? Be specific. What about the others actions made them so dubious and despicable?
(4) Does Solomon think it’s possible for businesses and corporations to behave ethically—why or why not? Explain. Further, what would Solomon think of the behavior of the CEO’s of those companies
(5) Solomon proposes what he refers to as an “Aristotelian” view of Business Ethics. What about his perspective qualifies it as such? Consider his statement: “Virtues are values turned into action.” What is meant by this phrase? Carefully explain.