Introduction
Chapter One: Why Is Business Ethics a Philosophy Course?
Threshold Question One: Are Human Beings Truly Free to Act?
Threshold Question Two: Should Ethics Be Based Upon Consequences or Intentions?
Threshold Question Three: Are There Universal Human Morals?
Threshold Question Four: What is the Relationship of Law to Ethics?
Chapter Two: Ancient Ethical Thought
Ethics in the Ancient World
Plato (428‐347 B.C.)
Plato’s Legacy
Aristotle (384‐322 B.C.)
Virtue Ethics: Aristotle’s Ethical Legacy
Aristotle’s Ethics Today
Chapter Three: Two Modern Ethical Systems
Enlightenment Ethical Systems: Utilitarianism and Kantianism
Applying the Utilitarian Method
The Pinto Case as a Utilitarian Example
The Trolley Car Examples: The Strengths and Limitations of Utilitarianism
The Essential Problem in Utilitarianism
Kantian Ethics: A Deontic Alternative to Utilitarianism
Chapter Four: The Nature of Business
Four Ways to Be in Business
The Corporation
Ethics in Corporate Life
Stakeholder Example
Shareholder Example
Corporations, Money, and Politics
Nonprofit Corporations
Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Limited Liability Company (“LLC”)
Chapter Five: Ethics, Economics, and Ideology
“Macroeconomics” and “Microeconomics”
Private Property
A Slow Transition from Mercantilism to Free Market Capitalism
John Locke and Private Property
Locke’s Influence
Adam Smith (1723‐1790)
Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand”
Problems with the “Invisible Hand”
Anti‐Competitive Practices
Social Darwinism
Business Psychologies
Pushback from Unions
Anti‐Capitalism: Karl Marx (1818‐1883)
Marx’s Solution
The Development of Marxism
Regulated Capitalism: Keynesian Economics
Disagreements with Keynes
Supply‐Side Economics
Keynes Ideas in Action
Inflation and Deflation
Free Trade Today
The Anxious Relationship – China and the United States
China‐US Trade Pricing
Economic Inequality
Ethical Concerns about New Technologies
Chapter Six: Ethics and Employment
What Is “Fundamental Fairness”?
The United States Department of Labor
The Minimum Wage
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
Workers’ Compensation
The 1964 Civil Rights Act and Other Protections
How the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Works
Types of Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment Guidelines
The Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) Exception
Religious Discrimination
The Duty of Agency, “Whistleblowing” and Retaliatory Discharge
Affirmative Action (“AA”)
Why is AA so controversial?
School Admissions
How AA Works in Employment Situations
Set‐Asides (Unrelated to AA)
Veterans’ Preference
References from Former Employers
What You Should Be Aware of as an Employee
Conflict of Interest
Potential and Actual Conflict of Interest
More about Apparent Conflict of Interest
Is Workplace Dating a Conflict of Interest?
What is “Nepotism”?
Commercial Bribes
Accepting Gifts
Confidentiality and Non‐Compete Agreements
Insider Trading
Obligations of Employers
Chapter Seven: Consumer Protection
What Is a Contract?
“Take it or leave it” Contracts
“Non‐Disparagement” Clauses
The Concept of Warranty
U.S. Government Consumer Protection Agencies
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Trusts and Monopolies
Consumer Fraud
Advertising
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Glossary of Key Terms