Global Business: Environment

Global Business Ethics : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 1 Global Business Ethics

Global Business EthicsIntroduction to Environmental Ethics : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 2 Global Business EthicsIntroduction to Environmental Ethics Review of Points from Previous Sessions Thought Experiments in Environmental Ethics Discussion of Fundamental Issues in Environmental Ethics Presentation of Some Contemporary Viewpoints (Singer, Baxter, Chricton) Conclusion and Reflection

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 3 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Realism or Objectivism in Ethics Controversial since Hume, Kant Model: Facts are independent of our knowledge of them, e.g., position of earth in cosmos Example: Slavery is wrong Pluralism Definition: Ethical truths exist but our understanding of them is incomplete, often appear to be contradictory

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 4 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Pluralism (continued) Support: Moral progress made over time. Helps explain how persons of good will can disagree. Check List Idea Derive list of recommended “ideas to review” from history of philosophy Use of traditional theories involves understanding, applying and balancing four kinds of concerns:

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 5 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Check List Idea (continued) Use of traditional theories involves understanding, applying and balancing four kinds of concerns: Human dignity – value of each individual (K) Humanity at large – benefits to all concerned (U) Human virtues/perfections – natural capacities (A) Duties – intuitive/cultural mandates (R)

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 6 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Success Example: Outsourcing/Plant Closing Human dignity – value of each individual (K) Do not “use” human beings; do not throw them away Humanity at large – benefits to all concerned (U) People in third world liberated from poverty Human virtues/perfections – natural capacities (A) People in both worlds ultimately have new opportunities Duties – intuitive/cultural mandates (R) Prior promises, obligations to shareholders, employees

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 7 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Failure Example: Ford Pinto Case Social Costs of existing tank: 2100 accidents, with 180 fatalities and 180 serious burns Cost of cars ($700 each) Social cost of burn victims ($67,000 each) Social cost of deaths ($200,000 each) Total = $46 million Social Benefits of existing tank: Save $11 on 12.5 million cars and trucks Total = $146 million See Shaw and Barry, Moral Issues in Business, 9th ed., p. 85

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 8 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations There is universal agreement on values from wisdom traditions Charity – may or may not apply to business Truthfulness – not just no lies; transparency, openness, and seeing things “as they are.” Maybe no God! (Buddhism) Less than all-powerful God Humility – may be most important for metaphysical (environmental) dimension

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 9 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations There are already many universally accepted business ideals Trust (in excess of legal requirements) Fair competition (D'Souza: provide need-based scholarships through college) Valued Characteristics/Virtues (Leadership, Honesty, Industry Service (D'Souza: put imagination to work for others and be rewarded accordingly)

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 10 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Previous Presentations Despite these positive signs for a Global Business Ethics, many deep problems remain Recall definition: only as good as the theories Theories are 100 to 2000 years old Logical and practical flaws known Application becomes recipe for status quo D'Souza: Capitalism leads to wealth for all, but current biotech trend destructive Religious views cannot be foundation Environmental Ethics almost unaddressed

Introduction to Environmental EthicsThought Experiments : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 11 Introduction to Environmental EthicsThought Experiments One approach for any study: Start with exploration of initial impressions, ideas about topic prior to any research Culture? Truth? Prejudice? (remember earth position!) Problem: Notion of Intrinsic Value Kant: only one thing in universe capable of being good in its own right – human will

Slide 12 : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 12 What has intrinsic value? One Rock One Penguin Penguin Species One Plant Fly Trap Species Niagara Falls Grand Canyon Tsetse Fly Species

Slide 13 : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 13 Which would you save? One 12-week old human fetus (Make suitable assumptions about mother's preference) One Penguin 10% of Grand Canyon Tsetse Fly Species

Slide 14 : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 14 In each row, which of the three would you save? One 12-week old human fetus (Make suitable assumptions about mother's preference) One Penguin Tsetse Fly Species Gorilla MotherOne Penguin Entire Grand Canyon 11 People

Slide 15 : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 15

Introduction to Environmental EthicsDiscussion of Fundamental Issues : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 16 Introduction to Environmental EthicsDiscussion of Fundamental Issues Ethical Egoism – It is my duty to be primarily concerned with my own well-being. (Strong Kantian/Cartesian implications) Group Ethical Egoism/Virtue Theory – I should be primarily concerned with developing human excellence (eudaemonia) Traditional Utilitarianism – The greatest good for the greatest number; no special status to own happiness, no animals included Expanded Utilitarianism – Suffering of sentient animals included in utility calculations (sentient = dogs, whales, birds...not fish?) Biocentrism – Concern for or moral weight given to individual living organisms (worms, flowers; living things that have a telos) Ecocentrism – Concern for individual non-living things in ecosphere and/or concern for abstract groupings of living things, e.g., species

Slide 17 : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 17 The diagram above was developed by philosopher Lawrence Hinman. It appears in his book Contemporary Moral Ethics (page 325, Copyright Prentice Education, Inc. 2006)

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 18 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Singer Extended Utilitarianism; utilities for suffering of animals, but no intrinsic rights 18 week old fetus may be aborted Ownership of resources in question – how can concept of ownership justify negative utilities of limiting control of major resources to a few?

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 19 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Baxter Combines Traditional Utilitarianism with Kantianism; no utilities for suffering of animals, but accept that humans enjoy watching penguins Principles Maximize freedoms consistent with equal freedom to others (Mill) Waste is “a bad thing” (?) Persons are ends, not means (Kant) Maintain incentives and opportunities for all

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 20 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Baxter – “sayings” “I have no interest in preserving penguins for their own sake” Each person represents one unit My view does not support destruction (since what is good for people is also good for plants, animals, environment) Any method of computation of satisfactions includes only people

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 21 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Baxter – “sayings” Any method of computation of satisfactions includes only people Environmentalists do not get extra credit Animals cannot vote and have no proxies There is NO morally defined “natural state” to which we must return, or which we must preserve Evolution of earth, animals, plants is amoral There is no such thing as “clean air”

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 22 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Baxter – “sayings” Summary: All decisions about what to do that affect environment are essentially cost/benefit analyses Preservation of penguins means giving up other goods Unsolved problem: How can we measure the “the incremental units of human satisfaction yielded by very different kinds of goods”?

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 23 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Chricton Early novel, Andromeda Strain, is about human attempt to create and control biological weapons Later novels deal with attempt of man to control nature on a larger scale So...Chricton apparently respects nature --- Characters in his novels that do not die! Chricton was a global warming skeptic. His target: those who manipulate “scientific data”

Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 24 Introduction to Environmental EthicsReview of Authors Chricton Some points raised to support skepticism Data for global temperatures taken near cities Projections based on computer models Sea levels show no increase Political agenda mixed with “science” invariably yields false results – example: Hitler

Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 25 Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection Build new virtues and practices that attempt to satisfy needs for prosperity as well as needs for primal relationships Limitations in knowledge, predictions Continuous reevaluation: Retractions are OK Acknowledge limitations in theories In exploring new “relationship” with environment, do not forget utilities!

Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 26 Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection Build new virtues (continued) Utility calculation example: Total internal combustion engine efficiency = 26% Electric car total efficiency = 26% An imperfect world with many insoluble problems; use pluralistic approach but Honor individual integrity and freedom Reward initiative and creativity

Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection : Copyright Anthony Birch 2008 27 Introduction to Environmental EthicsSummary and Reflection Resolve cultural/metaphysical issues in favor of freedom and liberal democracy (Mill's defense, K, U, A, R) Think: Primordial relations We are in unknown territory Expect disagreements Look to the future as well as the past