Desjardins's Utilitarianism: The Free Market Model

DesJardins describes utilitarianism as “an ethical tradition that directs us to make decisions based on the overall consequences of our acts” (An Intro, Pg.24). The free market model is justified under this definition because this model allows consumers to demand goods that producers can then supply. Individuals have the power under this model to pay only for the things they want badly enough to justify that price. If a consumer does not think the product is worth that price they are able to take their business elsewhere. Likewise, producers can decide how much of their product they are willing to sell at a certain price and can choose to only sell that amount. In this way consumers and producers can make choices based on what these goods cost

37). Deontology puts things such as contracts or other agreements above social responsibility or personal happiness. Corporate executives are employees of the owners of the business first and foremost, therefore their only concern is to make a profit for the business. In this way deontology does not believe that firms owe anything to their communities. Deontology believes the goods and services firms produce are more than enough to help their communities, it also believes that corporate executives who give money to charity for any reason other than good publicity are stealing money from the owners of the business and are in the wrong. Corporate executives should be concerned only about helping the owners, their bosses, maximize their

In this type of market all the risks and all the rewards belong solely to the one who is willing to attempt this path. Other markets make it more difficult for profit maximization to be achieved, for example in a command economy typically a firm is told what to produce and how much to produce. This results in the market being unable to operate effectively, the firm cannot increase production when they notice increased demand, nor can they exit the market to make profit elsewhere. This puts floors and ceilings on profits, something deontology is against; accordingly, deontological ethics would defend the free market model as it allows them to increase profits. Firms are able to judge consumer demand and increase or decrease prices and production accordingly. In this way firms maximize consumer satisfaction and maximize their