PHI 214 study guide #1 - Issues in Business Ethics(PHI 214...

Issues in Business Ethics (PHI 214)
Study Guide for First Essay Examination
Spring 2012 (Marnell)
Be able to answer these questions in a brief essay. When answering a question, imagine you are
explaining the material to someone who has no background in ethics. So you need to explain what
you mean, not just repeat phrases that would be meaningless to such a person.
Chapter 1:
1) Describe the facts of the case about the cheating spouse from the video “Do Unto Others” (Ethics in
America #1). Explain what you believe a person should do in this case if that person is close friends with
both the one having the affair and the spouse.. Explain your reasons for that view.
2) What is the relationship between ethics and law? How do ethical questions relate to professional codes
of groups like American Bar Association or the Financial Accounting Standards Board? What does the text
say is an individual’s responsibility if ethics and law conflict, or ethics and professional codes, and then
explain what you believe an individual should do in such a situation, and WHY?
3) What is meant by ethical relativism? How is this different from ethical subjectivism? Why might people
think that ethical relativism should apply to the culture of business? What is one major problem with
accepting ethical relativism as an adequate standard for ALL moral judgments?