This week we explored the idea of whether business does or does not have its own special set of ethical principles and guidelines.  There was Carr’s position that it’s all just rules of the game.  In contrast to that was Gillespie’s, as well as Tomhave & Vopat’s position, that business does not get any special caveat to supersede society’s ethical norms. 

In the Case of the Facebook Breakup people who are identified as experiencing emotional distress are analyzed and targeted for economic gain. This is clearly not illegal, but what about ethical? Consider and respond to the following:

1. Share your position from this week’s reading by answering the question: Is business ethics separate from regular ethics?  Be sure to back up your position with points from the well-developed arguments you explored this week.
2. Using your position from the first question, make a case for whether Facebook’s actions in the case were ethical or not.  Be sure to explicate your position with sound ethical reasoning, i.e. theories and processes we’ve covered so far.

Discussion Board Assignments:

Our weekly discussion boards are considered an academic forum.  As such, please view yourself as the educator/teacher in your conveying your content.  It is our aim to learn from each other.  This requires sharing with intent to help the learning process.

Submissions should be between 300-600 words.  You are expected to reply to a minimum of two of your peers with substantive feedback, constructive criticism, or detailed affirmations. 

Thinking Ethically

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/thinking-ethically/