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ECR 2019 Aug: Some questions for you to practise on. It would be good for you to come to
class with a written framework of your answers. We will look at possible solutions in the last
part of our class in Session 12/ Week 13. Discussing the questions with members of your group
would prove most useful. The bracketed numbers refer to the number of marks out of 100. You
may assume that the questions come from 2 hour papers. Not every issue has been directly
covered in our classes, but most of them have been.
We will try to do as many questions as possible in Session 12. How much we cover will
generally depend on how prepared students are.
Because of the limited time, I will also focus more on the scenario type questions rather than the
essay type questions, although they may also appear.
Here are some factors which are useful in answering ECR questions: If possible, you could,
First, state a claim, i.e., take a position/stand, (which may be qualified) regarding the
question/issue posed in the Question.
Then provide reasons/arguments(s) in support of your claim.
Next, provide objections/argument(s) against your claim, in general, and against your reasons in
support of the claim, in particular.
Finally, provide replies/arguments responding to the objections, if time allows.
In your arguments, do remember to use Ethical Theories/Frameworks where relevant.
1. What does Rule Utilitarianism focus on?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
The consequences of a particular act.
The rationality of a particular act.
The consequences of a general rule.
The rationality of a general rule.
The fairness of a particular rule.
(3 Marks)
2. Out of the following, which best states the second categorical imperative of Kant?
a) Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always
as an end and never as a means.
b) Act so that you treat all others, always as an end and never as a means.
c) Act so that you treat all humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another,
always as an end and a means only.
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d) Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always
as a means and never as an end only.
e) Act so that you treat all humanity, always as an end and never as a means only. (3 Marks)
3. Biases can affect ethical decision making. From the material covered in our course, which of
the following is not an example of a Bias?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Commitment Bias
Confirmation Bias
Hindsight Bias
Foresight Bias
More than one of the above
(3 Marks)
4. The “spider-web theory” is one of the analytical tools that can help us make a better ethical
decision. It is particularly relevant when we discuss the ethics of:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Blood diamonds
Biofuels
Sexual harassment
Biases
None of the above.
(3 Marks)
5. The policy of the Fair Consideration Framework of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower is to
try to ensure that generally:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Singaporeans always get a job before foreigners
Employers pay foreign workers a fair wage
Singaporeans and foreigners have an equal opportunity at getting a job
Singaporeans have a fair opportunity at getting a job
Singaporeans get jobs that pay a fair salary.
(3 Marks)
6. From the material and examples covered in our course, which of the following would be the
least important characteristic of an ethical leader?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Being willing to take risks
Being willing to be vulnerable
Being willing to make unpopular decisions
Always having integrity
Always being competent
(3 Marks)
7. Under Corporate Governance, a company might have an Ethics Program. Which of the
following is usually the most irrelevant to such a program?
a) Audit system
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b)
c)
d)
e)
Accounting system
Investigation system
Corrective system
Communication system
(3 Marks)
8. Which of the following (by itself), would generally not be a good reason to consider an
advertisement unethical?
a) It wants us to buy a face cream, but the advertisement is full of unbelievable
exaggerations.
b) It wants us to buy a face cream, but the advertisement contains a “half-truth.”
c) It wants us to buy a face cream and the advertisement frightens people into doing so.
d) It wants us to buy a face cream, and the advertisement portrays a fairer complexion as
more desirable than a darker complexion.
e) None of the above.
(3 Marks)
9. Under Aristotle’s concept of Virtue ethics, one of the following is not relevant in the
determination of a virtue:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Purposive indisposition
Being a mean
Being subjective
Being objective
More than one of the above
(3 Marks)
10. From the materials covered in our course, a crisis is special. Which of the following is not
true of a crisis?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
It helps us focus on important things.
It can lead to negative consequences.
It can lead to positive consequences.
We can have too much information.
All of the above are true of a crisis.
(3 Marks)
11. Exponential rise in oil prices in recent times has forced the airlines industry to introduce
several cost-saving measures. Despite the various measures introduced, many airlines have filed
for bankruptcy. For those still in business, they are continuously trying to find additional sources
of revenue. Recently four airlines have suggested a “surcharge” on obese people, i.e. charging
obese people something extra to cover the additional costs of flying them.
It is indisputable; the airlines industry says that heavy people are more expensive to fly. For
example, a study concluded that the 10 pounds air-passengers gained on average during the
1990s required an additional 350 million gallons of fuel a year. Additionally, given that existing
social disincentives to obesity haven't worked, weight surcharges for airplane tickets and higher
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rates for medical insurance may provide an additional incentive for people to stay fit, the airlines
industry argues.
Some NGOs have reacted with absolute outrage. They have called for a social boycott of airlines
that charge extra for obesity. Charging extra for obesity is the worst form of discrimination, they
argue. No amount of profits, in their opinion, can justify such pricing tactics.
What is the right thing to do? Why?
(15%)
12. Flight AA 123 of AmazingAir (“AA”) is about to start on a 2 hour domestic flight. The flight
is full and all of the passengers are already on board. However, 3 crew members of another AA
flight need to be on this flight urgently. In accordance with AA policy, the AA 123 crew offer
$800 of vouchers to try to get 3 passengers to take the next flight, which is 20 hours later. They
manage to get 2 people to accept the offer, but their third choice refuses the offer. Airport
security is called. The passenger remains in his seat and is forcibly dragged off the plane. Other
passengers have made videos of the incident and very soon, these videos go viral on the internet.
Many viewers are shocked by what they see and leave many negative comments about AA. The
removal appears violent and there is blood on the passenger’s face.
One day after the incident, the CEO of AA makes this public apology, “This is an upsetting
event to all of us here at AmazingAir. I apologize for having to re-accommodate these
customers. Our team is moving with a sense of urgency to work with the authorities and conduct
our own detailed review of what happened. We are also reaching out to this passenger to talk
directly to him and further address and resolve this situation.”
That same day, the CEO also later wrote the following to all employees of AA, "….This
situation was unfortunately compounded when one of the passengers we politely asked to
deplane refused, and it became necessary to contact Airport Security to help. Our employees
followed established procedures in dealing with situations like this. While I deeply regret this
situation arose, I also emphatically stand behind all of you,….."
All of this soon becomes news all over the world and we even know that the passenger is a 69
year old doctor with the surname of Chen, who had loudly but not violently told the crew of
AA123 he could not leave as he had to get back to his patients.
From the materials and examples covered in our course, analyze the above scenario
especially from the perspectives of ethical leadership and ethics during a crisis.
If you believe that the CEO’s actions are wanting, please also suggest (i) reasons why you
think he did what he did and (ii) exactly what he/the airline should have done, explaining
your reasons as fully as you can. You may find it helpful to use relevant ethical theories to
help support your main views.
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[You may also discuss if there are facts (not stated in the question) which would affect your
answer. Such facts cannot contradict those expressly stated in the question.]
(25 Marks)
13. Autosafeti SpA (“Autosafeti”) is an Italian company that manufactures safety belts and
airbags for the automotive industry. It has 10,000 employees worldwide and an annual profit in
the range of US$700 million. 500 people work in Autosafeti’s ten year old factory in Fukushima,
Japan. The 11 March 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami damaged all of Autosafeti’s
equipment and major parts of the factory. Fortunately, 400 workers managed to get to higher
ground and survived the disaster. The bodies of most of the remainder have been recovered.
Mr Alfredo Lombardi the CEO of Autosafeti feels that it is better to use the US$100 million in
insurance money to build a new factory in Vietnam rather than in Fukushima. Autosafeti has also
paid all workers for the month of March 2011. However, as the factory is no more, Autosafeti
will be terminating operations in Fukushima and will no longer pay any salaries. A check with its
Japanese lawyers has confirmed that Autosafeti is legally entitled to do this. In fact, the company
only had a legal obligation to pay its workers up to 11 March 2011.
Mr Yukio Yoshida, a foreman at the factory, feels that the company should do more……much
more, “my house is destroyed, my wife killed. I have worked here for 10 years. Now, I have no
job, no pay, nothing. I did not expect the company to be so uncaring. The company has a
responsibility to us, to our community.”
From a perspective of corporate social responsibility and with the use of at least two relevant
ethical theories critically assess the ethical issues in the above scenario so as to help Autosafeti
decide on what it should do.
(25%)
14. “Give your mum and dad the best care in the world! At Eden Court, we’ll look after your
elderly parents as if they were our own. Live the life YOU want to live. Free yourself from
constant thankless chores. We have qualified doctors, nurses and helpers who will be more than
happy to do them for you! Just $1500 per person per month.” This advertisement appeared in a
popular Singapore women’s magazine. There is also a photo of a group of contented elderly
matrons having high-tea in a posh garden setting.
Mary looked at the advertisement wistfully, gave Eden Court a call and set up an appointment to
visit them. Mary was thinking of letting her mum stay at Eden Court. Mum would probably get
better care there, and Mary would be able to return to her career as a secondary school teacher.
On visiting Eden Court, Mary realized that the home did not have a posh garden setting. It turns
out that the photo was of an excursion that some residents had taken to a local hotel. Mary did
not mind, and decided to sign her mum up for a two year residency. Mum too was quite happy
with the idea. Just before mum was about to move into the home, Eden Court called to tell Mary
that they had made a mistake in costing and that they had to increase charges to $2000 a month.
(Please assume this to be true.) Although Mary knew that legally it was not right for Eden Court
to do this and she could hold them to the contractual price of $1500, she agreed, as she felt that it
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was still great value for money at $2000. The nurses at Eden Court are all very capable and
perform their roles well. However, two of them only have qualifications from Cambodia, and
due to language issues, their nursing qualifications are not recognized in Singapore. Technically,
Eden Court employs them as helpers. But in fact, they have on many occasions happily rendered
very competent nursing services to the residents.
Critically examine the possible ethical issues in the above scenario. State clearly any
reasonable assumptions that you make. It will be beneficial for you to use some of the
ethical theories covered in our course to help justify your views.
.
(20%)
End
[Additional Question only if there is time.
15. BeautyUnique Pte Ltd (BU), a Singapore company, sells an anti-wrinkle product which it
calls BU Miracle Kreme (or BUSK for short). One of the essential ingredients in BUSK is the
Lamai flower. BU buys the essence of this flower from suppliers in India. The flowers are
purported to come from the Asian kingdom of Shambhala (nestled at the foot of the Himalayas),
where they are hand-picked at dawn (4am to 7am) by children between the ages of 5 and 11. The
flowers bloom very near the ground, are very small and are almost green in colour; this makes
young children the ideal pickers. Shambhala has a high unemployment rate, and the money the
children earn is useful to their families. The children attend the village schools after they pick the
Lamai flowers.
BU commissioned five university research agencies to do tests on BUSK. Each test was
performed on a group of 20 women. One test showed that 90% of users reported a visible
reduction in the appearance of their wrinkles. Three tests were neutral. In the last test, 35% of the
women tested reported a deepening of their wrinkles, as well as itchiness and significant
swelling. The women in this last group tended to be fair-skinned Caucasians above the age of 65.
The total cost of making a 30ml jar of BUSK is only $15, but BU decides to market it at $300 in
the affluent Singapore market. One part of BUSK is manufactured in BU’s Indian factory, while
the other part is made in Vietnam. However, these two parts are then combined in very specific
proportions in BU’s small flatted-factory in an industrial town in northern France. The
packaging of BUSK is very sleek. Nevertheless, 85% of the voluminous and weighty packaging
amounts to air, glass, steel and plastic.
BU has embarked on a TV advertising campaign in Singapore. In essence, the TV ad shows a
sad old-looking woman whose husband has gone after a young girl in her twenties. This old
woman starts to use BUSK and visibly transforms into a younger lady ( in reality, just the actress
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removing her ‘old-lady’ make-up) and the young man whom viewers take to be her grandson
turns out to be her new lover! The ad also states that “thorough tests have been done at five
universities and as many as 90% of women reported a visible reduction in the appearance of their
wrinkles.” The ad also states that BUSK is “made in France.”
The ad is aired over national TV, as well as in clinics servicing the old.
The owner of BU, Mrs Tan, wants BU to be seen as an ethical company, and she has come to
you for advice as to whether what BU is doing is justifiably ethical, or otherwise. Please advise
her as thoroughly as you can. Please also state clearly any reasonable assumptions that you may
wish to make.
(30%)]