Automobiles in China and Ethics - Case Study Example

Automobiles in China and Ethics Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Introduction Society and individuals are usually guided by different aspects wether behavioural and societal requirements. People are required to fulfil tasks but it is important to have rules and regulations in guiding accomplishment of the tasks. Principles usually guide people and one of standards in ethical and moral consideration. The aim of this paper is to analyse the automobile manufacture in China and its impact to the society. Five theories are utilised in analysing the case study to illustrate how different theories approach an issue differently. The five theories are utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, justice, rights and normative ethical relativism. 1. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism theory can be categorized as normative ethic and it holds that the appropriate approach of action taken maximises on utility through maximising on happiness while reducing suffering. The theory was championed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremeny Bentham (Hinman, 2011). The ethical theory states that right and wrong can only be determined through utilising cost benefit analysis (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). People utilising or analysing this theory are at loggerheads when determining what counts as “bad” and what counts as “good” (White, 2011). Some utilitarians think that suffering is bad while happiness is good. It is important to understand right actions and right moral can be approached through two perspectives in that an action may be seen right since it produces the right results (Roberts, 2006). For example, it is good killing one person since the organs from that one person can save more than five persons; however, killing is morally wrong. Therefore, the theory postulates that the action should yield more positive compared to negative. This theory can be applicable when it comes to automotive industry in China. China produces millions of cars and sells million of cars yearly. Cars usually come with negative consequences to the environment but positive consequences to the society. For example, cars assist in transport but these cars causes pollution to the environment. According to utilitarians, the issue of happiness, leisure from utilisation of the cars, and sadness, through pollution of environment, should be analysed from cost analysis angle (White, 2011). The automobiles carry many people and this is a positive outcome according to utilitarianism theory and thus according to the theory, it is better to produce more cars and not factoring into consideration the negative consequences of automobiles to both humans and environment. Therefore, utilitarianism champions the idea of producing more cars provided the users are satisfied while shareholders of the car producing companies are satisfied. 2. Kantian deontology Kantian deontology champions moral law. The theory was proposed by Immanuel Kant and its origin is enlightenment rationalism in that a decision made should be based on principle or maxim behind it. The theory is based on categorical imperative, an aspect that acts on individuals regardless of their desires or interests (Comstock, 2010). One of the principles of Kant is universalisability in that if an action should be acceptable, it is possible to apply it to all individuals without contradiction occurring. This means that in any decision done, humans are important and any means should end with humans (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). Moreover, Kant states that kingdom of ends approach should be considered since laws formulated are applicable unanimously (White, 2011). In addition, Kant brings into consideration the difference between perfect and imperfect duties. According to Kant, a perfect duty includes duties such as never lie and always speak the truth while imperfect duty include duties such as providing to the needy an aspect that can be applied in certain places and times. Therefore, Kant theory states that it is important to consider humanity in formulation of laws that are applicable to all individuals without chances of contradictions. Kant theory of ethics is applicable to automobile industry in China. Two major consequences are associated with the automobile which are either pollution related challenges and massive transport on the other side. Pollution comes in different forms and accepting pollution from automobiles and not accepting population from other sectors such as industries is not acceptable according to Kant. From Kant perspective, it is better to get rid of automobiles to ensure population is reduced as championed in other sectors. This view completely contradicts that of utilitarianism approach in which it champions production of more cars (White, 2011). Moral law according to Kant is to ensure that humans do not contract each other because one component is more beneficial compared to the other even though it yields the same consequences; the consequences of population from analysis of this paper. Generally, Kant ethics theory states that consistency of an action should be encouraged and applicable across divide. 3. Justice (3a Rawls and 3b Nozick) One of the important justice theories can be attributed to philosopher John Rawls, who presented an ethical theory in which justice is central to it. According to Rawls perspective, it is important for individuals or society to design and evaluate practices and social institutions that operates based on principles of justice (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). These principles are contained on Rawls central viewed called the original position. The original position is that human diversity should come together and establish a social order that is applicable to all people and based on moral standards that is referred to egalitarian; an aspect of justice. According to the principle of egalitarianism, all persons should receive equal distribution of socio-economical requirements and even rights (White, 2011). Rawls presents two principles to understand original position, which are liberty principle and difference principle. According to Rawls theory, the automobile industry in China should formulate guidelines and standards that are applicable to all stakeholders involved. The perspective of the stakeholders should incorporate the environmentalist to addresses issues associated to population, the contribution of automobiles to both the society and economy, and the concerns of companies producing the automobiles. The stakeholders should understand the contributions of the problems and should devise strategies that can be utilised to mitigate these problems ensuring contradictions do not occur (White, 2008). Therefore, all stakeholders should come together discuss the issues and present solutions that are applicable to all parties involved. Another justice related theory that is associated to Rawls theory is the Nozick perspective. Nozick introduces the aspect of ‘distributive justice’ and terms it not neutral (White, 2011). According to Nozick, the term ‘distribution’ may be presumed as a mechanism that can be utilised in giving out things. However, during the time of ‘distribution’ an error may occur and this error should be addressed through redistribution; however, Nozick questions whether this is a viable option (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). This analysis brings into consideration entitlement theory that has three topics on justice of holdings. The first topic is the original acquisition of holdings whereby the unheld things are analysed. The second topic is transferring of the holdings from one individual to the other individual. It brings into consideration aspects of voluntary exchange and it is based on principle of justice in transfer. The last topic is that of rectification in which previous distribution is rectified (Banks, 2010). The issue that arises from analysis of Nozick justice theory and the automobile industry is pollution. The problem of population is created by automobiles meaning that if the automobiles were not in place numerous challenges could not have occurred. Therefore, pollution should be analysed from the perspective of society/economy and from the manufactures. 4. Rights According to the rights ethical theory, the society usually sets the rights and then ensures that the rights are given the highest priority. Rights, according to the theory, are ethically correct because a large population endorses them (Song and Kim, 2009). Moreover, individuals can transfer the rights to a third party provided the individual has the resources and ability to commission such an action (White, 2011). For example, a friend can borrow a car for the day, the friend who borrowed the car has the right to utilise the car that day. However, the complication of this theory is the characteristics of the society to have the right. This means that the society has to determine what rights should be upheld and how these rights can be transferred to its citizens (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). Before setting the rights, it is paramount for the society to state ethical priorities and society’s goals. However, the theory cannot operate without complement of other theories and it is based to the context and content. For example, according to the constitution of United States, religion is upheld and citizens have the right to choose religion; however, during the period of Hitler in Germany, the Jewish religion was not accepted and it resulted in prosecution of millions of Jews. For this example, the context and characteristics of individuals determine whether a right is given to the society. Rights ethical theory may analyse the issue of automobiles in China from a completely different position from some of ethics theories. For example, the society accepts utilisation of automobiles but the same society also has placed into consideration measures aimed at reducing consequences of producing more automobiles. The government and society has set rules aimed at ensuring automobiles reduce population through the type of fuel utilised and amount of fuel consumption. Even though more cars translates into more consumption of fuel; however, it may be presumed that new technology has resulted in manufacture of cars that utilise less fuel and utilises also environmental friendly fuel. 5. Normative ethical relativism. The theory postulates that there are no moral principles, which are universally valid. Normative ethical relativism theory states that moral wrongness or rightness of actions differs from one society to another and therefore, there are no specific moral standards that are applicable to all individuals at all times. This means that thinking of ethics and its application is usually relative. Therefore, each culture usually establishes basic principles and values that are found as foundation for morality. According to the theory, this was the norm, has been the norm and will be the norm (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). Not only does different cultures have different principles but it is also impossible to exist principles and standards that are applicable across the world since there are no universal standards and guides all people across the divide. This means ethical theories should be constrained to specific cultures and such approaches should indicate that particular culture power holders (White, 2011). From the analysis, it is important for each and every culture to formulate and implement their own standards of ethical requirements and if another culture tries to introduce their own cultures and principles may be viewed as political in nature since it is associated to power. From the normative ethical relativism, the Chinese culture have the rights to complain because of pollution and economic challenges associated to increase in number of automobiles. Economic and pollution can be viewed from Chinese perspective and other parts of the world (Keller, 2010). According to normative ethical relativism theory, basing analysis of China automobiles affects both regional cultures and international cultures. For example, the issue of environmental concern and prices of oil affects all economies across the world; therefore, the theory cannot be applicable to circumstances within China only but also across the world (Brooks and Dunn, 2009). The theory states that principles and standards should formulated and implemented by cultures that are affected and therefore Chinese as a culture should formulate and implement measures that counters challenges associated with increased production of automobiles. The analysis of this theory should also factor into consideration globalisation (White, 2011). The theory came into place before globalisation and globalisation has presented numerous means of doing business and relationships between different cultures. For example, the culture of United States is completely different from Chinese culture; United States advocated for capitalistic culture while China advocates for modern communism. Therefore, normative ethical relativism theory may not be applicable to some scenarios but not all scenarios. Conclusion Ethical theories come with different views and standards in understanding a situation. Some theories views moral authority is better while others view moral obligations are not important. Kant theory champions the idea of moral obligation as a determinant of ethical issue while utilitarianism champions happiness and benefit to most as the standards. Other theories such as justice theory formulate a platform in which different views are analysed and a standing is given that suites all individuals involved. On the other hand, normative ethical relativism theory states that cultures are not the same and therefore standards should be formulated and implemented for specific cultures. Moreover, application of these different theories to the case study of automobile industry in China yields different factors. Some views are that it is alright such as those supported by utilitarianism, it is wrong to base benefits on the best outcome such as Kant view, and it is appropriate to create and understanding that brings all stakeholders together such as those supported by justice theory. References Banks, S. 2010. Ethical Issues in Youth Work, 2nd Ed. London: Routledge Publishers Brooks, L., and Dunn, P. 2009. Business and Professional Ethics: For Directors, Executives and Accountants, 2nd Ed. London: Cengage Learning Comstock, G. 2010. Life Science Ethics, 2nd Ed. New York: Springer Hinman, L. 2011. Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Moral Theory, 5th Ed. London: Cengage Learning Keller, D. 2010. Environmental Ethics: The Big Questions. New York: John Wiley & Sons Roberts, L. 2006. GOOD: an Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design: Ethics of Graphic Design. London: AVA Publishing Song, K., and Kim, B. 2009. Respect for the Elderly: Implications for Human Service Providers. Washington: University Press of America Stewart, N. 2009. Ethics. New York: Polity White, J. 2008. Contemporary Moral Problems, 9th Ed. London: Cengage Learning White, M. 2011. Kantian Ethics and Economics: Autonomy, Dignity, and Character. Stanford: Stanford University Press Read More