When you are done writing, read over your own paper critically

Purpose: we’ve got top-down tools (i.e. ethical theory) AND we have some good experience

applying these ideas to simple ethical situations. Our goal now is to begin to analyze business and

ethical issues that arise. We should begin at the beginning (always “a very good place to start”) by

looking at what corporations are and how their nature might create ethical dilemmas.

Task: in NO MORE than 400 words make sure you do the following:

1) Pick a corporation and find its mission statement and its statement of core values. Spend

a little time investigating the management decisions or investment opportunities the

corporation presents.

2) In a well-written paper answer argue for

a. what values you think are constitutive of this company AND whether you think

they are driven by stockholder or stakeholder management. Make sure you don’t

simply state this but explain why this is true.

b. Then, argue for what values you they should exemplify and whether they should

manage for stockholders, stakeholders, or some other group. Make sure you

explain why you think this (don’t just state it).

Attach

the mission statement and/or statement of core values to the second page of the document and

submit them as 1 document.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Explain the company’s statement(s) well – even if you intend to argue against a particular

view, making a strawman of it only makes your position weaker.

2. Consider possible objections to your position, and address them. Not considering such

objections amounts to not thinking through your own position.

3. When explaining your position, remember that you have to explain why you think the

position is justified. Having a view is not very interesting; why you have a view and think

it is justified is interesting.

4. When you are done writing, read over your own paper critically. Was your view

consistent? Did you make your points clearly? Edit out what you don’t need.