philosophy

Business Ethics Midterm Review

Requirements:

1. Answers to *each* individual question should be between 2 and 3 pages in length…double spaced!. Word process or type your answers! Though writing styles vary, much less than 2 pages will probably prove insufficient and anything much longer than 4 pages will likely be ignored.

2. All margins are to be 1 inch all around. All fonts used should be in 12 point type. Do not separate paragraphs with extra rows or returns. Begin each new question at the top of a new page. Do not repeat the question at the beginning of your answer. See the sample page attached for visual confirmation of the text format required.

Note well, however, this is a test of your understanding of the material from this class so you would be well advised to concentrate on the material assigned. It is not a test of your ability to transcribe quotes. For example, do not simply list arguments advocated by one author or another. If you do list an argument in premise form, also write an answer that demonstrates you understand the premises and how they are justified.

3. The answers should be your work. DO NOT turn in any work that you did not produce by your own hand.

4. You are required to answer the underlined question or questions. The material preceding the underlined question is meant to direct you to the relevant issues.

5. You may answer any question, but DO NOT cut and paste any old material into your new answers. Take the time to read, understand, and rethink your old answer to make it better.

1. It is often claimed that Act Utilitarianism cannot account for moral concepts such as promises or justice. Rule Utilitarianism is an attempt by Utilitarians to account for these deficiencies. Does Rule Utilitarianism succeed as an attempt to improve upon Act Utilitarianism?

2. Nozick seems to think much of what Rawls's theory would require is actually unjust re-distribution. What is Nozick's argument to this conclusion? Is he right?

3. Freeman defends the Doctrine of Fair Contracts as his version of a "normative core" for stake-holder theory. How does Freeman’s argument work, that is, what theoretical device or structure does he employ to defend stake-holder theory. How "bold" is Freeman’s proposal to re-invent management theory?

4. Virtue theoretic approaches to business ethics are increasingly popular. Why is a theory of right conduct prior to an ethics of virtue? Are there any other problems with applying virtue theory to ethics in business? Are these arguments also good reasons to abandon virtue theory in business ethics?

5. What is the morally correct course of action for Dr. Roy Vagelos of Merck? Why? Be sure to show how you arrived at this conclusion and what sort of moral reasoning you think is most relevant to his predicament.

6. Does Plasma, Intl. have a moral claim (or property right) to the money they made by selling the blood they purchased from the West African Tribes to the victims of natural disasters in Nicaragua? Why?

HINT O N HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1. This is sufficient indentation to begin your first paragraph. Notice as well that I started this answer at the top of page and just below the 1 INCH margin, that is, I INCH MARGIN AROUNDTHE ENTIRE PAGE! Now suppose I am done with this very short paragraph.

See how I just hit enter /return, indented ½ an inch, and started typing again?!! There is no additional space between paragraphs. If you add spacing between paragraphs you indicate that you are changing the topic under discussion. I don't care much about the font, but I do want the tests typed in 12 point scale. This font is Times New Roman, but most anything will be accepted. And for goodness sake, please staple your answers together! One and only one staple is necessary if done correctly. Staplers are fairly easy to operate. Do not make an elaborate origami sculpture out of your paper in the upper left hand corner just because you didn't bring a stapler. I will probably be nice enough to bring my stapler along.

Remember to hit a hard page return when you have completed an answer. The instructions indicate that each new answer should start on a new page. Let's assume I want to give an extended quote or list the premises of an argument:

"Whether a quote or a list of premises, notice how the page is double indented and starts over at the same point on the soft return. Also notice that the type face is reduced, and this part of the paper is single spaced.

And here we are again back to normal. The purpose of all the above formatting at the quotation section is to reduce the size of the quotation to leave you more room to expound on the meaning of the quotation. Your words are more important than the quotations.

Good Luck!