Philosophy Department

Business Ethics
(PHLV 3123)

Brian Johnson

We will examine four sorts of questions: (1) What is the relationship that companies should have to their employees?  This question will include such topics as layoffs, fair wages, and the techniques that companies use to maximize employee performance. (2) What responsibilities (if any) do companies have to the community?  This includes the subject of outsourcing, environmental impact, and fair competition.  (3) What ethical responsibilities do employees have to their company?  This includes topics such as whistle-blowing, loyalty, and trade secrets.  (4) In what environment ought business to operate?  This includes the broad subject of capitalism versus a mixed economy versus socialism.  In all four cases, our focus will be to explore arguments from a wide variety of positions so that, in response to our exploration, students can develop the analytical tools to articulate and defend their own answers.

The famous Donald Trump