Consider the far-flung consequences to a corporation\’s having engaged in activities we now recognize as unethical.

In this week\’s readings, consider the far-flung consequences to a corporation\’s having engaged in activities we now recognize as unethical.  These include the hidden adverse affects of asbestos (in the Manville case), and the far flung financial ruin which accompanied the Enron, E.F. Hutton and the Continental Illinois Bank cases.  How do we determine who is responsible here – corporate or individual?  On what basis?  Can a corporation be held to ethical standards apart from the individual ethical determinations of the people acting on behalf of the corporation?  Why – or why not?Alternatively, should corporate leadership be held ethically responsible for the actions undertaken by corporate agents/employees?  On what basis?  Why – or why not?  Here in particular, the \”Last Interview with Ken Lay\” (part of your course materials) might be instructive.Please do not focus on the legal aspects of damages, criminal charges, or reparations.  Try to maintain focus on ethical questions within this unique context where the destructive power of certain individual actions was multiplied by the corporate entity in a way that individual action could never have accomplished on its own. What does \”Social Responsibility\” actually mean, from a corporate perspective?  Do some research into the kinds of social responsibility programs currently being pursued by U.S. corporations and report on what you find.  Generally, what areas and/or values are being focused on?    Pick one program that you admire and describe it.  Why do you admire it?  What values are emphasized?  Does the program correspond to any of the ethical theories we have  looked at?  Analyze the program from an ethical standpoint, including considering how to balance profit-making with social responsibility, especially where pursuing social responsibility might adversely impact profits.See if you can\’t verbalize a particular corporate social responsibility program is admirable.  Does it perhaps exemplify the display of certain virtues, which would tend to lead to the development of a virtuous character in the corporation\’s employees, and in the community the corporation does business in?  Could one determine that the program carries out what would be considered a duty, having applied Kant\’s Categorical Imperative?  [hint:  this is a good place to start for environmental values]  Would the greatest happiness/pleasure for the greatest number be achieved by the implementation of such a program – which is the stated aim of Utilitarianism.Have fun with this one – but don\’t just tell me you \”like\” it!  do you like it – using ethical terminology?P.S. \”It pays\” – while a reason – is not necessarily an ethical reason.  Killing someone for hire \’pays\’, too, but is not ethical. . . .  Likewise, working for a paycheck \’pays\’ – but your work may or may not be a \’good\’ thing.  It could be a deadening, dead-end job.  Focus on what we would consider \”good\” – under the various ethical theories.