Morals and Money: Philosophy and Business Ethics

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