Utilitarianism Case
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LaTonya Evans
Mr. Mull
Management 364
06 April 2012
Utilitarianism
“Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that an action is right if it produces or if it tends to produce, the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people affected by the action. Otherwise, the action is wrong”(DeGeorge pg. 44). In the case of the Ford Pinto, It will show how Utilitarianism is used to benefit one, when cost is the defining factor and the negative effect that decision has on society, as well as the business overall.
In the late sixties, the President of Ford Motor Company Lee Iacocca was adamant about having a vehicle made that would become competitive with the Japanese auto makers. So the company launched a fuel efficient sub- compact car called the Ford Pinto. Once on the market the Pinto was extremely, popular, but because of the steps, the company took to make the vehicle, as well as the time, or lack thereof getting it into the consumers hands made it unsafe. Because of a defect within the gas tank and the car was hit in the rear, even at a low speed it would explode into flames. This would cause death, immediately upon impact, or serious damage that would be life altering. Ford made an unethical decision not to upgrade the fuel system which would have only cost them eleven dollars per car to upgrade. One must question the design engineers, crash test engineers and upper level managements moral responsibility and behavior in this decision whether they agreed to it or not
According, to DeGeorge when it comes to Utilitarianism. “We should evaluate an action by looking at the consequences, weighing the good against the bad effects on all people affected by it” (pg. 45). For example, when a company hires an applicant solely, because they are trying to meet a quota instead of for their qualifications. It can have an adverse effect with loss of productivity, moral and cost effectiveness, because the applicant lacks the skills, or they will for performing the job.
The decision the company made not to upgrade was based off the cost-benefit analysis, as well as fear from the employees of the current Vice President Lee Iacocca. Iacocca appeared to be only concerned, about his reputation and the bottom line. According, to an article written by Tyler Carron on fordpintocase.webs.com. Ford appears to have had no problem