Business ethics

Group Discussion Activity : Advertising and Product Safety

Discussion Questions

About the Film:

1. What do you think of Epicurus's view of happiness, as depicted in the film?

2. What do you think Galbraith would think of Epicurus's view, and why?

3. Do you think that the wide variety of consumer products available to us contributes to our happiness, detracts from it, or is neutral with respect to our happiness?

About the "Greenwashing" Case (Hill v. Roll International Corporation) (see attached)

1. Do you agree with the court that a "reasonable consumer" would not be misled by the packaging of this product?

2. Why do you think businesses make environmental claims like this? Do they effectively persuade people to buy products?

3. Is the phenomenon of "greenwashing" (marketing products by associating them with environmental benefits, when those benefits are questionable or minimal) deceptive and misleading? Or is it just harmless exaggeration?

Case 9.3, pp. 402-403

1. Courts ruled against the manufacturer in Ritter, and in favor of the manufacturer in Vincer. Do you agree with the courts' decisions? Why?

2. Can the standard of “reasonably safe” be applied when dealing with children, who are not entirely reasonable? If so, how, and if not, what standard should be used?