Monthly Archives: September 2015
Ethical ‘Blindness’ and the Tetris Effect
Sometimes when we focus on one thing, or set of things, long enough, that’s all we end up capable of seeing. When you deal with numbers all day long, the possibility exists that you’re going to start thinking exclusively in
Ethical ‘Blindness’ and the Tetris Effect
Sometimes when we focus on one thing, or set of things, long enough, that’s all we end up capable of seeing. When you deal with numbers all day long, the possibility exists that you’re going to start thinking exclusively in
Engineers & Ethics at Volkswagen
Once again, highly-educated professionals are at the centre of a major ethics scandal. At Enron, it was accountants. At VW, it’s engineers. Engineers are not just employees — they’re professionals trusted by the public to do their work properly. It’s
Engineers & Ethics at Volkswagen
Once again, highly-educated professionals are at the centre of a major ethics scandal. At Enron, it was accountants. At VW, it’s engineers. Engineers are not just employees — they’re professionals trusted by the public to do their work properly. It’s
Nothing Special About Volkswagen
If there’s nothing special about Volkswagen, in terms of its willingness to cheat, there’s probably nothing special about the auto industry in this regard, either. Granted, some industries can develop cultures that promote or at least sanction certain kinds of
Nothing Special About Volkswagen
If there’s nothing special about Volkswagen, in terms of its willingness to cheat, there’s probably nothing special about the auto industry in this regard, either. Granted, some industries can develop cultures that promote or at least sanction certain kinds of
Is CSR a Dangerous Racket? Just Look at VW!
Many people have claimed that CSR is (often? always?) a form of window-dressing designed to distract us from corporate wrongdoing or at best indifference. The VW emissions scandal provides fodder for the latest version of this accusation. Of course, what
Is CSR a Dangerous Racket? Just Look at VW!
Many people have claimed that CSR is (often? always?) a form of window-dressing designed to distract us from corporate wrongdoing or at best indifference. The VW emissions scandal provides fodder for the latest version of this accusation. Of course, what
Philosophers Discuss Drug Pricing
Here’s a great group blog posting on drug pricing, by seven philosophers. The editors of Daily Nous asked seven philosophers, all specialists in ethics, for quick insight into the recent case of Turing Pharmaceuticals, the company that notoriously raised the
Philosophers Discuss Drug Pricing
Here’s a great group blog posting on drug pricing, by seven philosophers. The editors of Daily Nous asked seven philosophers, all specialists in ethics, for quick insight into the recent case of Turing Pharmaceuticals, the company that notoriously raised the
Is Shell’s Arctic Withdrawal a Victory for Greenpeace?
Greenpeace is claiming victory, as Shell abandons a controversial drilling operation off Alaska. The reasons contributing to the decision are, apparently, many: disappointing quantities of oil and gas found, pressure from shareholders, and pressure from environmentalists. How much of a
Is Shell’s Arctic Withdrawal a Victory for Greenpeace?
Greenpeace is claiming victory, as Shell abandons a controversial drilling operation off Alaska. The reasons contributing to the decision are, apparently, many: disappointing quantities of oil and gas found, pressure from shareholders, and pressure from environmentalists. How much of a
Much Ado About Nothing: NFL to Abandon Nonprofit Status
We use the National Football League’s name and initials in two senses. One refers collectively to the 32 for-profit member franchises of the NFL. The other refers more narrowly to the league office that governs relations among the 32 member
Much Ado About Nothing: NFL to Abandon Nonprofit Status
We use the National Football League’s name and initials in two senses. One refers collectively to the 32 for-profit member franchises of the NFL. The other refers more narrowly to the league office that governs relations among the 32 member
Profiting From Refugees
It is not from the benevolence of shopkeepers that we expect life’s necessities to reach Syrian refugees, but from their regard to their own interest. This is of course an updated version of Adam Smith’s classic claim that, “It is
Profiting From Refugees
It is not from the benevolence of shopkeepers that we expect life’s necessities to reach Syrian refugees, but from their regard to their own interest. This is of course an updated version of Adam Smith’s classic claim that, “It is
Why Good People Do Bad Things (in Business)
The commentary below points out that there’s no reason to think that the “bad guys” behind corporate scandals are, in fact, bad guys. What we know about the psychology of wrongdoing suggests that there’s no reason to think that it
Why Good People Do Bad Things (in Business)
The commentary below points out that there’s no reason to think that the “bad guys” behind corporate scandals are, in fact, bad guys. What we know about the psychology of wrongdoing suggests that there’s no reason to think that it
Marketing’s Crisis of Morality?
This reflection on the evolving ethics of the advertising industry may be amusing to cynics (because it suggests that the advertising industry has, or at least had, ethics), but is actually a serious consideration of the perhaps eroding relationship between
Marketing’s Crisis of Morality?
This reflection on the evolving ethics of the advertising industry may be amusing to cynics (because it suggests that the advertising industry has, or at least had, ethics), but is actually a serious consideration of the perhaps eroding relationship between
Business Ethics Highlights 
Recent Comments