Prompts

Short essays

500-700 words.

1. In “Ill-Founded Criticisms of Business Ethics,” Vaidya critically responds to four common criticisms of business ethics. Explain (i) the argument of the critic who claims that business ethics is “indeterminate,” (ii) Vaidya’s response to this argument, and (iii) why you agree or disagree with Vaidya’s counter-argument.
2. Explain and critically evaluate how Robert L. Arrington and Roger Crisp’s differing accounts of human autonomy give rise to different conclusions about the ethics of associative advertising. Who do you side with in this debate, and why?
3. Select a real-world example of associative advertising that speaks to what John Waide considers to be morally problematic about associative advertising. Explain why you agree or disagree with Waide’s diagnosis. (If you cannot think of an ad yourself, the ads of the following companies may be worth exploring: AXE Body Wash and other AXE products, Coca-Cola, Walmart, and almost every automobile manufacturer. YouTube is a good place to start your search.)

Long essays

1500-2000 words.

1. What does Lynne McFall claim to be formally required of a person of integrity? Why is it important for a business leader to be a person of integrity? In your view, are there any meaningful constraints on the principles that should govern and orient a “good” business leader? Explain why or why not. Select a topic that was raised in Units 5 to 7 to help defend your response.