How could the hiring process be more fair? Should at-home workers be taxed? Do we have a duty to buy American? Must work pay?
There are a great many ethical questions surrounding the constant exchange of goods and services that make up the business of our daily lives. From the obligations of employers to the rights of workers, the responsibilities of sellers to the duties of buyers, we have all sorts of expectations when it comes to striking a fair trade.
It’s often said that when it comes to the dog-eat-dog world of business, there’s simply no time for ethics. As long as we don’t violate the letter of the law, others have no cause for complaint. But this narrow view fails to appreciate the way our moral convictions inform the way we design and amend our legal rules. From price-gouging to off-shoring, we have need of a vocabulary for explaining the wrong of exploitation in all its forms as well as a plan for adjudicating disagreements when our interests inevitably conflict.
Corporate Responsibility
What impact do businesses have on the larger social environment? What duties might they have given the mark they make? From supporting sustainability efforts to responsible charitable giving, the obligations of corporations are a regular topic of discussion. What do corporations owe the broader community?
“The Controversy Surrounding ESG Investing” – What are we measuring and why does it matter?
“Plastic Straws and Individualized Responsibility” – The impact of citizens and the impact of corporations are not equivalent.
“U-Haul’s Anti-Smoking Workplace Wellness” – Who benefits? At what cost?
Business Leadership
What does it mean to be an ethical business executive in the 21st century? How should we handle the dilemmas that arise when managing a team? From ethical fading to quiet quitting, a manager’s job is never done. What does getting it right look like?
“Hybrid Workplaces and Epistemic Injustice” – Unequal treatment is easily exacerbated.
“FTX, Effective Altruism, and Ends Justifying Means” – A commitment to “doing good” is not enough.
Workers’ Rights
How can employees ensure fair bargaining? Who should have the right to strike? From fair hiring to just pay, there are a great many factors employers and employees must consider. What demands arise when our livelihoods are at stake?
“Right-to-Work Laws and Workers’ Rights” – What role do unions play?
“Can We Justify Non-Compete Clauses?” – Restraining worker freedom is extremely costly.
Consumer Protections
Buyer beware? Why is confidence necessary for fair dealings and free exchange? From privacy breaches to deception and fraud, creating trust and building a reputation remains as vital a task as ever. How far should businesses be able to go to make a sale?
“Personalized Pricing: All the Rage” – Isn’t it unfair for different people to be charged different prices?
“When Should You Boycott?” – Sending a signal by voting with your dollar is getting more difficult.
“Should the Government Mandate Virtue?” – Forbidding people from smoking, drinking, and gambling is tricky business.