S8 - Kant / Ethics and Laws in the International context

Question 1

What are the four main principles of Kant’s philosophy?

Answer 1

• REASON: People are rational beings. Reason can govern our will (not just our passions)—it’s what distinguishes us from animals
• FREEDOM = autonomy (freedom of choice, free will) (to be distinguished from any type of determination or conditioning)
• MORALITY is found in INTENTIONS and DUTY, not in pleasure, nor in feelings (at least not initially, but as a “collateral” effect). Dignity.
• TO BE MORAL:
  1. CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE (“universalize your maxim“ as the litmus test for morality). Actions are morally right if they can be consistently applied to everyone.
  2. END: Individuals should not be seen as means to achieve our goals (respect for all and human dignity).

Question 2

Why does Kant rejects utilitarianism and libertarianism?

Answer 2

• Kant rejected utilitarianism: “That does not teach us to distinguish good from evil, but simply to calculate well”. People must be seen as ends in themselves, not as “useful objects” (principle of utility).
  Utilitarianism = importance of consequences
  Kantian moral duty = importance of intentions
• Kant rejected libertarianism because one cannot own oneself or anyone, for humans are not things

Question 3

To achieve corporate social responsibility, what should a firm do according to Archie B. Carroll?

Answer 3

• To be considered ethical, a firm must assume ALL of its responsibilities:
  1. ECONOMIC: The corporation is an institution whose objective to profitably produce and sell goods and services that consumers want to buy (to ensure its long-term financial viability and to deliver financial returns for its shareholders).
  2. LEGAL: Respect of the legal framework, fixed by the society, that a company operates within (imposed and codified ethics).
  3. ETHICAL: Behaviors, policies and practices that aren’t codified in law, but expected by the society and aim to respect the right of the various stakeholders
  4. DISCRETIONARY: Expectations aren’t clearly stated, but primarily motivated by the spirit of volunteerism
• It is necessary for firms to anticipate changes in social norms, it is not enough to just follow the law.

Question 4

What are different reactions that can be seen when there is an ethical dilemma in the international context?

Answer 4

1) To bury one’s head in the sand
* Pretend not to know
* Emotional “shielding” of oneself

2) The “one best way” or “one-size fits all”
* What is ethical here is also ethical abroad
* Have a clear conscience, protect yourself legally

3) Ethical insensitivity
* Ethics - I don’t care!
* I do my job, what I am asked to do
* I voluntarily ignore the issues and take risks

4) Reflection and ethical decision-making
* Listening and assertiveness
* Management is often attentive to the risk management argument—we want the good of the company
* We take responsibility for our personal choices
* Who are we working for? Why?
* How far are you willing to go? You have to know your limit.
* We always have the choice of our actions.

Question 5

What are some limits to Kantian deontology?

Answer 5

Is it realistic to always do our duty before seeking personal pleasure? Kantian ethics = utopian?

What to think about the universality of ethical principles? Is it possible?

How can we probe or measure people’s (or organizations’) intentions? Intentions might be diverse (duty and inclination).

Question 6

What are some ethical issues that can be raised in the international context?

Answer 6

1. Corruption
   * How to adapt to practices abroad while adhering to the rules of the game in one’s home country?
2. Environment
   * Differences in standards and practices
3. Human rights
   * Child labor
   * Health and security at work
4. Impact on local communities
   * Etc.