Essay About Moral Dilemma And Teleological Theory

Session 5 Reading: Consequentialism – Utilitarianism
Essay Preview: Session 5 Reading: Consequentialism – Utilitarianism
Report this essay
SESSION 5 READING: CONSEQUENTIALISM
Chapter 9 – “Utilitarianism”
∙ Case example: Lockheed in Japan (1972)
— Lockheed makes payments to All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japanese
government officials to secure deal
— Included in this is a pledge of $1.6MM to Prime Minister Tanaka made by Lockheed
manager Carl Kotchian
— Lockheed goes ahead with this since its business is in danger and it feels that these
payments are simply a necessary factor in doing business in Japan
— In the end, Lockheed pays a total of $12.5MM in bribes and commissions (a small
number compared to the size of the deal, but ethical concerns arise)
— Is this bribery or “facilitating payments?”
∙ Introduction
— Kotchian values consequences (protection of jobs and investment in company) over
potential violation of duty (responsibilities of government officials to uphold the law)
— Moral dilemma: Consequences (teleological theory) vs. Duty (deontological theory)
— Utilitarianism focuses more on the consequences of an action
∙ Two Types of Ethical Theories
— Utilitarianism vs. Kantian ethics (duty) vs. Virtue (i.e., Aristotle – not covered in the
reading)
— Teleological: ends over means (judged by maximum balance of good over bad)
∙∙ Strengths: in accord with most moral reasoning (makes sense), precise and
objective method
∙∙ Weaknesses: ignores promises and duties, does not take into consideration rights,
justice, and obligations (i.e., free speech might do more harm, yet is a basic right)
— Deontological: actions are analyzed according to moral rules (duties)
∙∙ Strengths: good when consequences are irrelevant (e.g., contracts, family
obligations), examines motives (e.g., giving to charity for tax reasons or for
compassion)
∙∙ Weaknesses: rules seem arbitrary at times and potentially ethnocentric, no clear-