ipl-logo

Ford Pinto Case Study

767 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Discuss the implications of the utilitarianism ethical theory in a business

Upon reading the case study titled “Cost-Benefit Analysis and the Ford Pinto,” and reviewing Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus, along with the essentials of the Utilitarian school of thought, it is quite clear that Ford Motor Company’s decision to greenlit the production of the Ford Pinto model without fixing the vehicle’s defective part was indeed morally permissible. The first set of reasoning which led me to this conclusion can be found directly in Bentham’s Hedonic Calculus. Within this, Bentham establishes the seven criteria one must consider when making a decision based on resulting pain or pleasure, whether it be for an individual or a large group of people. What is key to focus on, in this instance, is the criteria of the fecundity of the act (the chance the result has of being followed by sensations of the same kind), and the intensity of the resultant pleasure. In this instance, the end goal is the greatest amount of pleasure experienced by both Ford Motor Company and the American consumer, and the means being used to reach this end goal …show more content…

Say that Ford Company did implement further safety measures into the Ford Pinto, who is to say that individuals who purchased the model wouldn’t suffer automobile fatalities due to other mitigating factors. Driving a vehicle comes with an acceptance of the risks one might face while on the road, regardless of the “safety” of the vehicle in question. One cannot account for natural disasters, drunk drivers, and the like. So to say that had Ford Company implemented further safety measures, more lives would have been saved, is faulty logic for that

Show More
Related

Who Is John Stuart Mill In Defense Of Utilitarianism

240 Words | 1 Pages

In Defense of Utilitarianism, J.S. Mill In the excerpt from John Stuart Mill’s book, Utilitarianism, Mill defends the utilitarian theory against three different objections. The first, and strongest opposition to utilitarianism was the accusation that the emphasis on the pursuit of pleasure makes utilitarianism “a doctrine worthy of swine.” This was my favorite argument because Mill defended it so well stating that there are varying degrees of pleasure. He refers to them as “high” and “low” pleasures, which I do agree with.

Read More

Philippa Foot Arguments Against Utilitarianism

1325 Words | 6 Pages

Caleb Stephens April 15, 2017 Introduction to Philosophy The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that Philippa Foot’s objection, raised to her own argument against utilitarianism, is correct. Her initial thesis is that benevolence, while the foundation of utilitarianism, is an internal end of morality, rather than the ultimate end of morality. The possible objection to this that there must be some overarching reason behind morality, which must imply a form of consequentialism. The response she offers is that there should be some other form of morality, which is a weak argument, as it does not provide an alternate conception of morality itself.

Read More

Act Utilitarianism Analysis

1237 Words | 5 Pages

Under the moral theory of act utilitarianism, I will argue that the elements that define it as a moral theory, do not always hold up as a strong theory in its totality when we critically analyse it. I will also point out a few hypothetical situations and possible consequences when implementation of act utilitarianism is followed through. The consequences will be proven to have the potential to undo the utility of happiness for our loved family members, in order to care for strangers we do not have a connection with, which in my opinion is highly immoral. According to lecture notes ( Weijers & Munn 2016)

Read More

Summary Of Bernard Williams A Critique Of Utilitarianism

1565 Words | 7 Pages

Bernard Williams’ essay, A Critique of Utilitarianism, launches a rather scathing criticism of J. J. C. Smart’s, An Outline of a System of Utilitarian ethics. Even though Williams claims his essay is not a direct response to Smart’s paper, the manner in which he constantly refers to Smart’s work indicates that Smart’s version of Utilitarianism, referred to as act-Utilitarianism, is the main focus of Williams’ critique. Smart illustrates the distinction between act-Utilitarianism and rule-Utilitarianism early on in his work. He says that act-Utilitarianism is the idea that the rightness of an action depends on the total goodness of an action’s consequences.

Read More

Interstellar Corporation Code Of Ethics

2175 Words | 9 Pages

The appropriate action is the one which maximizes happiness as opposed to suffering and anguish. Utilitarian’s have an extremely straightforward answer to the question of whose happiness is the object of maximization. According to utilitarianism, leaders should consider the happiness of the whole, where this incorporates not solely group members, however members of the external group as well. Indeed, the moral concern of contemporary utilitarian’s typically extends to all sentient beings; whereas, the morally acceptable action is the action which maximizes overall utility, which can occasionally cause a decrease in utility for leaders and followers. Therefore, in accordance with my opinion, this venture of ADTC in interstellar has or will have a significant impact to the world in general and it becomes a great responsibility for ADTC that we investigate a greater utility for mankind

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of The Trolley Problem

2262 Words | 10 Pages

To deal with these dilemmas, utilitarianism and duty ethics theories should be taken into account. For a utilitarian decision maker, who will attempt to maximize the sum of utility for all concerned (Kvalnes, 2015), the third person should pull the switch or push the fat man to reduce the killings from five persons to one person; that is, keeping the number of people died to a minimum. In contrast, in duty ethics perspectives, there are moral considerations more important than

Read More

Chrysler Case Study

1121 Words | 5 Pages

The Chrysler and Daimler merger of 1998 was certainly a power struggle between two companies of different cultures and leadership objectives that led to hardships and ethical dilemmas for many stakeholders involved in the two companies. Ethics based on cultural expectations crated clashing perspectives on both sides of the merger negotiations and transition. This tension was established between Chrysler and Daimler in culturally based standards of leadership styles, ethics perspectives, and decision framing. First, distinctions between the American Chrysler and German Daimler leadership strategies created a hostile situation between these companies.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Deontology And Mill's Utilitarianism

1380 Words | 6 Pages

When studying philosophy, a student becomes very aware of the contradiction and different opinions of highly remarked philosophers. Many students become frustrated with the opposition and question the importance of the study all together. Others choose to indulge in these differences to further their understanding beyond what he/ she thought capable of beforehand. The obvious contradictions between Kant’s deontology, and Bentham’s and Mill’s utilitarianism is a perfect example of such occasion in philosophy.

Read More

Utilitarian View On Abortion

1018 Words | 5 Pages

An ethical dilemma today in society is that of abortion, which one would define as a deliberate end to a pregnancy. Various arguments exist questioning if an abortion is morally justifiable. Some say the state should decide on the legality of an abortion, some politicians say the federal government should decide, and many believe it should be up to the women since it pertains to their body. In this paper, I will analyze what a utilitarian’s perspective on abortion would be. First, let’s get a clear understanding of utilitarianism.

Read More

Film Analysis: Extreme Measures

783 Words | 4 Pages

Doctor Myrick uses the principle of utility to defend his immoral actions during the film. The principle of utility is when a person makes a choice that is best for the most amount of people involved in the situation. He uses this tenet when talking to doctor Luthan about the ethical ideas involved in his experiment, because it will save millions despite killing the test subjects that are held beyond their will. In the movie we see signs of hedonism through doctor Myricks actions. His hedonistic views are seen as he tries to find pleasure in the horrible disease of paralysis.

Read More

Porsche Case Study Summary

900 Words | 4 Pages

In the beginning of the early 1990’s Porsche faced a severe problem. After orders decreased to 30% from 1986 to 1993 the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. The loss of almost 240 Mio. DM was so far the biggest in the company’s history. Porsche’s day as an independent luxury car company seemed to be over.

Read More

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Utilitarianism

1711 Words | 7 Pages

Utilitarianisms would answer the question in the affirmative and change the track so only one person has to suffer. However, we have to question if the Utilitarianism is applicable to such ethical questions (Smart & Williams, 1973). This essay will outline several strength and weaknesses of the Utilitarianism devised by Jeremy Bentham. Firstly, the Utilitarianism will be outlined, secondly some strength and weaknesses are explained by employing examples, and thirdly several solution approaches for dilemmas Bentham’s Utilitarianism is facing will be sketched.

Read More

Utilitarianism In Business Ethics

1685 Words | 7 Pages

The hedonic calculus has seven different criteria that must be considered to evaluate the balance between good and evil. This appears practical and easy to use in any situation; however, it has its issues. For example, Bentham suggested that all pleasure and pain should be measured equally. This causes a major problem when put into the context of business ethics, as it suggests that the pain experienced by a child forced to work in a factory is equal to a shareholder in a business gaining a little more profit – surely, this is unethical. J.S. Mill noticed this issue, introducing rule utilitarianism, in which he recognised the differences in different types of pleasures.

Read More

Maruti Suzuki Case Study

2531 Words | 11 Pages

Brief History of Company Maruti Suzuki India Limited is one of the leading 4-wheeler automobile manufacturing company in India. It is a subsidy of Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. The company was founded in the year 1981, and the first manufacturing plant was set up in Gurgaon, Haryana. The company was previously known as Maruti Udyog Limited. It entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Japanese Automobile giant Suzuki.

Read More

Essay On Mustang Makeover

790 Words | 4 Pages

Research has had a very large influence on my life. I have learned most of what I know through research, and I spend the majority of the day looking up topics that are interesting to me. Here are a few experiences that I have had throughout my life. During my life I have had the chance to study numerous topics, but the main one that pops into my head started on April 4, 2014. In 2014 I had the chance to participate in the Idaho Extreme Mustang Makeover, and to do this I spent a lot of time researching about horse training and routine styles/music.

Read More

More about Ford Pinto Case Study

Related Topics

Open Document