The statement “a company should produce and sell any product as long as there is a market for
it” seems like common sense from a business perspective. It resonates with the principles of the
economic markets of supply and demand. Yet, when incorporating the ideology from an ethical point of
view, the statement becomes complex.
When applying Isaiah 44:15-17 to the statement above, the Bible provides two different uses for
wood. Wood can be used to bake creak, provide warmth or create idols to worship. This analogy can also
be applied to the purpose and use of products that companies create. The important takeaway here is
not the product itself but the use of it.
For example, tobacco and alcohol. There is definitely a market for cigarettes and alcohol as these
industries succeed based on demand. We are aware of the harmful impact that cigarettes have on our
bodies, and as supported by ffsonline.org, it is a known fact that it significantly increases one’s chance of
lung cancer, emphysema, and other life-threatening diseases. The effects of alcohol are also well-known,
that it leads to addiction and other health issues such as liver disease and neurological issues.
While there is a market for these products that are harmful to its customers, it brings in the
question of the social responsibility of a company. Generating profit should not overshadow the ethical
responsibility of businesses to ensure their products do not harm their customers and society. As
companies are adopting a more ethical framework with a growing concern for healthier alternatives,
tobacco companies recognize the negative impact on public health and are attempting to provide ‘safer’
products such as e-cigarettes (Quintana & Roa, 2019).
Just as wood can be used to provide warmth or to create an idol to be worshipped, products
generated by businesses can be beneficial or destructive. I believe companies should weigh their profits
against the potential their products may cause to society, therefore adhering to the moral obligations to
ensure their products align with providing positive value to their customers and society.
While there is a basic fundamental approach to supply and demand in order to make profits, the
ethical and social responsibilities of a company should not be ignored. Again, the statement that a
company should produce any product as long as there is a market for it is concerning, as a company
should not solely focus on generating profit but ultimately on the welfare of the greater good.
References
Foundation for a Smoke-free World. (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved from https://www.ffsonline.org
Quintana, H. K., & Roa, R. (2019). Tobacco industry now openly admits that it is aware that cigarettes are
harmful. Induc Dis, 17, 80. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/113509
Hello Isaac,
I appreciate your perspective on the ethical considerations about product manufacturing, and I
agree that companies shouldn't produce and sell harmful products just because there's a market for
them. You brought up a great point about the tobacco industry. It is concerning how some industries
knowingly produce and sell products that are harmful, like cigarettes. The ethical implications are indeed
very concerning when profit motives outweigh health and safety concerns.
Also, your point about the subjectivity in considering what a “good” or “bad” product is- is well
taken. Products like firearms are a great example. On one hand, firearms can be used for personal
protection or by law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order. On the other hand, firearms can
be misused, leading to violence and loss. With that being said, I’d like to argue that it's not just the
existence of the product but also the regulation and education surrounding its use that matters.
However, while I concur with the opinion of adhering to Christian values or any other ethical
guidelines, I would extend that it is crucial for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs. It is important for
ethical decision-making not just on a personal level but also in an organization and as a society as a
whole. Ultimately, I believe it falls on both companies and consumers to make ethical decisions.
Companies should consider the potential harm their products could cause, and consumers also have a
responsibility to make informed decisions about what they purchase.
