Business Ethics and Virtue Ethics - Essay Example

1) Choose three (3) "virtues” and then provide a clear definition of each. The principles of ethics are based on certain moral value. They seek to take actions virtuously within a particular circumstance and are associated with the concept of virtues. The three virtues that can be identified in the Mattel Inc are justice, honesty and fairness. Justice: While considering justice as a virtue, we are generally referring to an attribute of people, even though justice of person has various indications to social justice. “Justice as a virtue” is, in reality, unclear in its application to a human being in the social context. Personal justice obviously, refers to the moral concerns which have to do with commodities or material goods. In this context, it is unfair for a person to embezzle anything material or not to give people what they are privileged to receive. It is also unreasonable if somebody distributes something without a proper reason. "Individuals should be treated the same, unless they differ in ways that are relevant to the situation in which they are involved." For example, if Jack and Jill both do the same work, and there are no relevant differences between them or the work they are doing, then in justice they should be paid the same wages” (Valesquez et al 1990). Honesty: A virtue like honesty or generosity is not merely doing things that honest or generous manner. It is specific as a “desirable” or “ethically valuable” personality attribute. It is, certainly a moral trait—that is, a character which is well established in a person. It also concerns with numerous other aspects as well, with emotion and associated reactions, selection, principles, wishes, perceptions, attitudes, safety, prospects and sensibilities. To be virtuous is to possess certain characteristic traits with a positive complex attitude. “An honest persons reasons and choices with respect to honest and dishonest actions reflect her views about honesty and truth—but of course such views manifest themselves with respect to other actions and to emotional reactions as well. Valuing honesty as she does, she chooses, where possible to work with honest people, to have honest friends, to bring up her children to be honest” (Virtue Ethics 2003 Para 6). Fairness: This mainly focuses on how reasonably or arbitrarily one’s actions entail benefits or burden for a specific individual or group. Benefits and burdens may be circulated supported on what an individual requires, deserve, donate, etc., It may also depend on how it series a specific group." 2) Next, apply each of the three virtues you have chosen to the case. Tell me how each of the virtues youve chosen might have been used to appropriately guide the actions and policies of the company. By inspecting the GMP’s of the Mattel Inc, it is crystal clear that the organization practices various principles of virtues like the justice, honesty and the fairness. To understand how justice is incorporated in the organization, various examples of the GMP’s are relevant. GMP is the foundation of Mattel’s constant endeavor to be accountable worldwide in developing their practices. The business and execution of GMP provides a structure within which all of Mattel’s actions must be performed. GMP offers direction and the minimum principles for all built-up plants, congregation operations, and allocation centers that manufacture or share out Mattel products. GMP needs safe and fair management of workers and that all locations protect the environment. It also related to the educational, ethnic, and theoretical differences of the country where Mattel functions. The company is devoted to a positive approach in addressing areas of concern properly. Mattel also makes efforts to safe guard the environment and to decrease the use of materials that endanger it. The company works hard for retaining its integrity. Honesty is the spirit of business ethics and concerns the common values of decision makers. People who do business or manage organizations are expected to follow the relevant laws, rules and regulations. Besides, they are also expected not to cause harm to workers, customers, or their revels intentionally through dishonesty, perversion, cruelty, or inequity. Honesty and fairness can also related be narrated to how the employees use the company’s resources. So far it relates to their products which are mainly toys the company is sincere in providing the best keeping in views the interest of children they mainly aim at developing the imagination and creativity in children and design safe and quality products for the children. The company is also ready to withdraw any products when it is identified that the toys have any manufacturing defects, to avoid any harm to children. The company displays commitment and it operates its services in fulfillment of the appropriate laws and conventions of the countries where its operates. The company is prompt in making payments to the employees, keeping precise records for each employee, and tracking usual and extra hours either through time cards or punch by each employee or by other suitable systems. The company is also fair in its dealings with the competitors and from time to time attempt to gain control over market by using practices that encourage healthy competition. The company thus, operates by giving fairness in each and every aspect of its functioning. “Although we’ve presented a variety of ethical issues that may arise in business, it can Be difficult to recognize specific ethical issues in practice. Whether a decision maker Recognizes an issue as an ethical one often depends on the issue itself” (Business Ethics of Social Responsibility n.d). 3) Which of the three normative ethics weve studied - i.e.,deontological, utilitarian, or virtue - do you believe is most useful in evaluating the Mattel case? Why? After considering the normative, deontological and utilitarian ethics, I believe that virtue ethics plays a major role in the success of Mattel Inc. There are several reasons for that support this belief. If organizations focus on up keeping virtues that are mainly constructive in the business world, then it can believe its goals while keeping employees and other stakeholders happy. The employees, on the other hand, assist the organization to be more profitable. Virtues are certain features or attributes of character that build The image of not only individuals but also organizations. Virtues are achieved and retained by training or recurring practice. Virtue is inculcated through stability of effort, and the habit of trying daily. People who consistently act well carry on doing so even when they encounter difficult situations. For instance, if one lives the “heroic minute” when one gets up the dawn, in that way he or she defeats idleness from the very initial instant of the day. One can uncover it easier by being attentive in accomplishing one’s duty whether it is big or small. The business of achievement (both individual and specialized) is supported by the attainment of in virtue. To be real virtuous, it should be attained the practice of determination to remain so (that is, one must have a solid and consistent disposition to decide good) in a diversity of circumstances. The moral virtues according to Aristotle is the “golden mean” an individual. Courage is considered as a virtue on which one determines good any bad.”For Aristotle, the noblest courage is in war, ‘where the danger is greatest and most glorious’ (1115a30). He acknowledges lower forms of courage, but it is physical courage that is his virtue.Surprisingly, a number of modern virtue ethics writers also adopt courage without question. It is an attribute worth endorsing when people risk their lives to save others, or speak out against injustice in the face of strong or violent opposition, but few would endorse courage in warfare as a virtue” (Bowden 2005 Pg 4). Reference List Bowden, P (2005). Virtue of Ethics, Aristotle and Organizational Behavior. Bowden Virtue Ethics. com. Retrieved from Business Ethics of Social Responsibility (n.d). The Nature of Social Responsibility. Retrieved from Virtue Ethics (2003). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from Valesquez, M et al (1990). Justice and Fairness. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Retrieved from Read More