Sandel #2 Utilitarianism (initial posting by 16Nov14)

Please watch Michael Sandel's online lecture on utilitarianism:
Sandel 2: Putting a Price Tag on Life; and part 2 "How to Measure Pleasure"

Discuss these questions:
1) what is utilitarianism?
2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?

3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
4) is torture ever right?

Sandel #1 The Trolley Problem & Ethical theory (initial posting by *new date* 9Nov14)

We start the course thinking about ethical theory.  We will think about the theory this week and then in subsequent weeks we'll apply our theories to the specific situations of business.

First, watch Michael Sandel's introduction to his course on Justice:
http://www.justiceharvard.org/2011/03/episode-01/#watch

Second, answer these questions in your study groups and give a unified response.  You don't all have to agree, just write up one answer noting any disagreement, rather than each of you responding individually.
1) What would you do if you were the trolley driver?
2) What would you do if you were the on-looker above the tracks on the bridge?
3) Would you save 5 people with organs from 1 innocent person?
4) Has your reasoning changed from answer 1 to 2 to 3?

Case 3.2 "The Parable of the Sadhu" (initial post by 8 Nov)

As a class, these questions all need to be addressed, but no one person is responsible for all of them.

p. 118
1) Who is responsible for the well-being of the sadhu? What are the duties of the people involved? What action would best serve the good of everyone?
2) How are the problems here similar to problems that arise in organizations every day? What kinds of sadhus do people confront in everyday life?
3) Would McCoy's group have behaved differently if they had come across a Western man rather than a Sadhu?

Discussion Groups Qs for Session 1 (initial response due by 8Nov14)

Each group should post a response to each prompt.  Each person should respond to another or a group's post.

• Discuss how one's conception of the good life affects one's ethics in business.
• Discuss Sennett's "Introduction."  Based on the introduction, what do you anticipate this course will be about?

Welcome & Introductions (Due by 8Nov14)

Who are you and what do you expect from this class?
Please write 4-5 sentences about yourself, including academic, career, and personal goals relevant to our course in business ethics with a focus on happiness and the good life.

Then please ask questions and/or comment on the posts of at least two of your classmates.  Let's get to know each other.