Business Law and Ethics.

Caldwell University

Division of Business

BU 649 Final Project

During the course of this semester, you have learned classical ethical theories, including the Friedman Doctrine (also known as “free market ethics,” or “business ethics”), Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, the Ethic of Care, and Corporate Social Responsibility. The theories are described and explained in the Chapter 1 “ethical toolkit” and through resources posted on our web site. Throughout the semester, you have been applying these ethical theories to different topics, in online discussions and through cases and scenarios that highlight the challenges facing businesses and leaders. In this process, your discussions have noted that these classical ethical theories are useful in many instances but also not entirely sufficient. Many of you have observed that current law does not adequately address many issues either.

Your challenge is to learn how to manage difficult situations on the job and in your personal lives. Legal standards and ethical theories are useful to a point, but you need a one-line standard to help guide you. Please develop a standard that you can use in virtually any situation to help you decide how to act, and phrase it as a question. Your standard might be similar to any of the following:

· “The Golden Rule” – Do unto others as you would have them to unto you, or, Would I want someone to do this to me, my employees, or my loved ones?

· “The Fishbowl” – Would I be comfortable if everyone could see me doing this?

· “The Man (Woman) in the Mirror” – Could still I look myself in the mirror if I do this? (i.e., would I lose respect for myself if I did this?)

· “The Media Standard” – If everyone knew I did this, would that be acceptable?

You may devise your own one-line approach. You should be able to apply the standard easily, in any situation, and be appropriately guided in your actions. Your ethical theory should be based in classical theories, appropriately critiqued.

The project: In your paper, explain how your personal ethical standard incorporates aspects of the classical theories we’ve studied. To do this:

· Demonstrate your understanding of the ethical theories we learned by explaining the five theories in your own words, using research examples from our text. (Part I of the rubric)

· Explain how your standard uses essential aspects of the theories. If your standard does not use any aspect of the five theories, then explain why it does not. (Part II.A of the rubric)

· Explain why your standard is easy to use and apply. (Part II.B of the rubric)

· Describe how your standard would apply in almost any business or personal situation (Part II.C of the rubric)

Ideally, your ethical standard will reflect elements your personal credo, or at least be consistent with it. Some reference to your credo will be beneficial.

Please note that you may use the research from the text and the posted resources. You already have read and applied these theories in the myriad cases found in the text. Please use different cases from the text as the “research examples” noted in the “exemplary” column of the rubric. Excellent writing that is required in any Masters course is expected; please have someone trustworthy review your paper before submitting. The Academic Support Center in the Student Center is an available resource for you.