Business Ethics - from Sea to Plate

...

Libertarian perspective

Libertarian perspective mentions about the ethical approach through emphasising the autonomy and freedom (Finch and Warfiedl 1998, 521). Also, the concept of the free market is also considered affect the libertarian perspective (Tomasi 2012, 226). Overall, the libertarian perspective emphasises the freedom of choice, not of individual freedom or related to the consequences of the actions or the actions of their own. Due to the freedom of choice, many companies, just as it has been highlighted in the case study, have adopted measures that lead to the degradation of the environment and the overall effect on human beings.

Human beings should know that they should do whatever it is in their power to protect and conserve the environment. However, due to the autonomy of freedom that has been enshrined in the constitution of many nations worldwide, firms have been reckless in their operations and only undertake measures that they think will be of benefit to them. For instance, studies have indicated that waste products from companies like Addidas, Marks and Spencer, Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to the contamination of the sea. The microplastics that are contained in the products manufactured by these firms end up in the sea upon which they are consumed by aquatic animals such as fish.

For instance, when professor Thomson marshalled some of the top executives from the organisations above, they were able to confirm that most of the debris that they collected from the banks of the ocean in Essex were plastic products, some of which originated from their companies. It is shocking to find out that about only 1.5 million tons of plastic wastes are recyclable. Some companies have curtailed the efforts that are being made to reduce plastics in the environment by adding colors and sleeves to some of their plastic products. Actions like these greatly reduce the recyclability of the plastics.

The fish in the ocean have been projected to be one of the groups that are harmed by a large number of plastics that are emitted in the sea on an annual basis. A majority of the fish usually end up confusing the micro plastics as plankton and end up consuming them. Human beings, and especially the executives of multinational companies like Dell, Adidas, Pepsi and Coca Cola have to take it upon themselves to ensure that their plastic products adhere to the set code of ethics. They will have to ascertain that they make them from products that are easily recyclable. Indeed, if they will implement these policies, they will be assured that their products would gain more recognition from consumers worldwide and even from environmentalists (Rosenberg & Alec 2016, 125).

The companies that manufacture plastics would have made great strides if they adopted a paradigm shift in their modus operandi. They will only need to do things differently by using the right materials in the production of plastics. Those that will not be harmful to fish as well as other creatures that live in the sea and oceans. It is unburstable that the world cannot do entirely without plastics. Dust top this, a change in the method of operations will be of utmost necessity in and will surely go a long way in protecting the environment and make it conducive for the human population and aquatic animals (Norris & Turner 2015, 166).

Deontologists Perspective

If the case of sea pollution is argued from this perspective, then it will be possible to minimise the pollution (Andrady 2003, 160). It emphasises the importance of duty and the morality of human beings in their undertakings. It related to the issues of sea pollution; then it can be said that it is the duty of the companies that manufacture plastics to ensure that they minimise the amount of refuse that they emit to the sea to protect the sea creatures. It is morally wrong for them to use the wrong materials in their production then end up emitting the wastes that are harmful to the creatures in the sea. It is also their role to ensure that they protect the environment, not just to benefits from the profits that accrue to them from their exploitative tendencies (Fisher, Colin & Lovell 2006, 35)

Recommendation

So far, the situation in this case study, I will analyze and give recommendations based on two ethical perspective. First of all, the rate at which plastic refuse is emitted into the sea has reached historic highs. Due to this reason, the governments of all nations in the world have to ensure that they put in place the necessary legislations that will protect the sea and the general environment from further degradation. Additionally, the governments of the various nations that pass and implement the environmental legislations will have to follow up to ensure that everyone follows them. On the other hand, consumers all over the world should give a hand with government to protect our planet. Consumers need to become more aware in handling the plastic garbage and also propaganda for the next generation to maintain it. And the most essential part is, for the consumer-widely used recycling bags, the environmental protection products. Supermarkets should open a campaign which encourage customers to use paper bag instead of plastic bags. And for some companies, they also need to open a campaign which called "Save our fish, save our life by cleaning up the garbage on the beaches”. This might help to reduce the effects of plastics to our life.

Reflection on weekly one hour lecture and two hours workshop

Through the weekly one hour lecture and two hours workshop, I have had an overview about "What business ethics is" as well as its definition. Also, I can learn more about the four ethical perspectives and its use. On the other hand, two hours workshop allowed me to practice a lot on different case studies, therefore, I can compare four approaches and applied ethics in various circumstances and also in this case study. In addition, after 4 weeks of two hours workshop, I have recognized that I can have critical thinking on specific ethical problems. In short, one hour and two hours workshop helped me to have sufficient knowledge to complete this essay.

Reference list

Business Ethics Definition. 2015. Investopedia.

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-ethics.asp.

“Adverse Health Effects of Plastics | Ecology Center.” 2016.

Alec, Rosenberg. 2016. “How Plastic Ends up in Our Seafood and What You Can