Principles Of Business Ethics Persuasive Essay Example
Principles Of Business Ethics Persuasive Essay Example

Principles Of Business Ethics Persuasive Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (847 words)
  • Published: October 12, 2017
  • Type: Case Study
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The article discusses the 'Parable of the Sadhu', which draws parallels between corporate ethics and the ethical dilemma faced by a group hiking in the Himalayan Mountains. The group, consisting of individuals from different nationalities, discovered Sadhu, a naked and severely weakened Indian holy man, during their journey up the mountain. The situation demanded immediate action from the group.

There was no single ethnic group that took full responsibility for helping the Sadhu, although each group provided some assistance. Their main priority was reaching the top of the mountain rather than bringing the Sadhu to a nearby village where he could receive more extensive help. As the group only provided basic provisions such as clothes, food, and water, they faced an ethical dilemma: either to continue their ascent up the mountain or to turn around and go back to the base cam

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p in order to give the Sadhu proper care. One of the climbers, Bowen McCoy, happened to be a managing director at Morgan Stanley Co.

Deciding that their personal satisfaction was more important than the well-being of a stranger, Inc. encountered a Sadhu on their journey. Despite the Sadhu's suffering, it was McCoy's friend Stephen who attempted to help as best he could. However, when they later reunited, Stephen questioned McCoy about their contribution to the possible death of the Sadhu, whose fate remains unknown.

The Sadhu was left without anyone taking full responsibility, as each person did what was convenient and shifted blame to others. This article highlights the importance of corporate ethics for businessmen, specifically regarding the conflict between organizational goals and personal values. One factor that may have influenced the hikers' decision to provid

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care for the Sadhu was the altitude at the time of the incident.

The group of multicultural mountaineers at 15,500 feet are experiencing air pressure and altitude sickness, making it difficult to breathe and causing disorientation and paralysis. This physical and mental stress can affect their ability to think clearly. McCoy had also attempted this climb six years earlier but was forced back due to altitude sickness. The mountaineers are desperate to overcome the steep part of the climb before the sun melts the ice steps, as the Himalayas are currently experiencing the wettest spring, with hip-deep powder and ice that has already forced them off one ridge. This constant worry and stress is affecting the group, causing them difficulties in making decisions regarding Sadhu's case.

In addition, adverse weather conditions at the time instilled a fear in the mountaineers that they might not be able to cross the pass, compounded by the limited resources available to them, which greatly influenced their decision-making. However, their actions were deemed unethical as none of them assumed complete responsibility or took proper care of Sadhu. For instance, the New Zealander who helped carry Sadhu down stated "I’ve done what I can and you care for him" before returning to continue his climb. Similarly, when Stephen requested the Japanese to assist in transporting Sadhu down to the hut using their horse, they refused.

According to Pasang, he and the other porters couldn't carry a man down the 1000 feet to the hut and then climb back up the slope safely. Meanwhile, McCoy prioritized crossing the pass over the well-being of Stephen, Pasang, and Sadhu, whom he left behind. Ultimately, these

hikers' actions align with ethical egoism, where individuals strive to achieve personal satisfaction and prioritize their own interests over others' well-being. Despite this mindset, each ethnic group still made some effort to assist Sadhu. Ultimately, McCoy chose to prioritize his personal satisfaction over helping the stranger's life.

This passage discusses ethical egoism and the scenario presented in the "Parable of the Sadhu". The situation required immediate action, but McCoy's main concern was achieving his goal of climbing the mountain rather than helping the Sadhu. Although going down to the village would have made it difficult for the mountaineers to climb back up, McCoy feels remorseful for not helping the Sadhu. There are three general approaches to examining a moral issue: consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Consequentialism prioritizes consequences in decision-making.

Consequentialists prioritize the outcome of an action over its motives. Among the varieties of consequentialism, Utilitarianism adheres to the idea of maximizing greater good for a larger number. This approach, accompanied by ethical egoism, might have unconsciously guided the mountaineers' decisions. Leaving the Sadhu behind was acceptable as it could have helped more people achieve their objective and bring them happiness. These egoism consequentialists who prioritize their own greater good, would have acted in a similar way to satisfy their own desires before aiding others.

Despite being a committed Quaker with a deep moral vision, Stephen had a different perspective on the situation than the other individuals in the discussion. It is unclear how much of his perspective was influenced by religion or other beliefs. However, it is likely that their cultural and personal influences shaped their reactions to the situation described by McCoy. There is a

clear parallel between their reactions and their chosen careers or lifestyles.

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