#UNTj4470 Modern vs. Classical Ethical Choice Theories

 

            In today’s world, we are constantly changing and working to increase sales and our incomes. This makes the ethical theories inside the hearts of our promotional bodies change just as often and in a more extreme way. The greed over just the past few decades has grown exponentially – and it is no longer just in the financial escapades of Wall Street.

            The main difference I see in the Classical Theories and our more Modern Theories is the cost issue. It drives the client or consumer to move on and find other agencies or representatives too quickly. The cost of making new ad campaigns and new PR events has grown exponentially. So, there needs to be more faith in the client and more precise work from the agent.

            Another issue I see very relevant to today’s world as compared to the decades of the past – the issue of international and cultural differences or respects. For many years, advertising and public relations campaigns didn’t need to transcend throughout the world and be accepted. In today’s world, with the rise of technology we are finding a need for international transcendence and favor.

From a deontological or a teleological standpoint, we find the two largest ethical factors. Deontology looks more into the morality of a person’s action inside them, and puts no weight in the consequence. Teleology will focus more on the moral act when the consequences present to be good or bad. So if ‘ends justify means’ to a teleological manner, we can say that breaking the law would be okay if there were positive consequences. All of these classical theories have a big driving factor to them. Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative is the supreme of the deontologist beliefs and one of the most popular theories is the utilitarianism one. Here, we try for the greatest good for the greatest numbers. The utilitarian will care much less for the act alone or those harmed in it as long as the greatest number of people can largely benefit from it. The last major theory, growing in popularity and contagion is egoism. This can either be applied to one single person or to a larger company of people. Individualism is just like it sounds – whatever is best for that one person no matter the consequence is the moral. In a universal way, people are selfish for a group of people in order to advance the group as a whole.

An egoist example very familiar to Americans is Chevron’s Oil company. Chevron has been accused of many environmental discrepancies and human rights abuses. The company has also been related with the idea of dumping billions of gallons of toxic waste in the Amazon of Ecuador. The oil service giant obviously has no PR person (or just a really bad one). In either case, the ethical dilemma is still hard to put into one box because of the international effects and cost issues. There is no doubt that dumping toxins is wrong however, what we could also take into account is why they chose that solution. Pure Egoism? Probably, considering the human rights abuse case that followed soon after the toxic dump.

The problem with some of these theories is that more often in today’s world, we are seeing situations that represent an exception to the rule of the theory. More often in the modern world, we see situations that cannot be judged solely by the consequence to one person or a single company. Now that there is a domino effect in today’s companies that will do harm or good to all different people, it is very hard to use a certain theory for the beneficial consequence of a specific person or group.

That is not to say that these theories do not show us a great amount about people and human natures. In every way, they do. Human natures and the survival instinct are something that will transcend time, even if they don’t solve a specific problem or dilemma.

Sources: Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/

Ethically Questionable in the Modern World

http://www.elearnportal.com/courses/business/business-communication/business-communication-ethics

Vera's Blog #2

#UNTj4470 Ethics in Buisness : Harder Than It Looks?

            In life, we can come across many complications or situations that threaten your character or moral standings. Ethics is very hard to define, and even harder to abide by completely in our personal affairs and events. In a business setting, however, most believe that ethics should become as ‘cut and dry’ as ethics can be. One definition I found to be extremely helpful is from The Business Dictionary, stating that ethics is “the basic concepts and fundamental principles of right human conduct.”

            The definition sounds quite simple and yet I am still astounded by the amount of mistakes made by professionals in the workplace. Of course, it is hard for me to judge these people completely because I don’t know what the situation entailed entirely. So it isn’t surprising that it is still somewhat difficult to explain an unethical situation to some businessmen. They may not see the action or movement as unethical or immoral. Rather, they may see it as a step forward in income and in ranking. For example, if you write an ethically risky story and defend its purpose as for your personal financial gain and power – it will become very clear to all that your ethical skills need a bit of tweaking.

Sometimes, the case seems to be simpler to outside viewers – like that of American Apparel’s CEO Dov Charney. He owns over half of the brand and clothing line and is the head of the company’s board. This man is obviously at the highest rank, and has come very far in successful standings, however, a few years ago (and again recently) he was accused and sued for sexual harassment against two much younger women (half his age – 18 vs. 40’s). These women also claimed the stress of a very hostile working environment with the overly sexual Charney. Immediately, I was on the side of the girls and assumed it was a cut and dry easy choice, but Charney negated these girls’ accusations by saying that the relations were consensual.  Charney also grew up with a strong feeling of sexual freedom and believes that it is our right (in the first amendment) to pursue those to whom we are attracted.

Still, it seems unethical in my eyes to create a hostile working environment through a relationship-based affliction. In my opinion, you don’t mix work and play. In some cases, it is more important than others. But in an environment where sex is out and about so outlandishly – you need to be smarter about your relationship choices.

Some ethical business dilemmas are far better known, like that of which we do not name (Enron). It seems more and more in today’s world, we are seeing corporations make incredibly stupid decisions in search of wealth, fame and power. HBO did a wonderful made-for-TV movie called Too Big To Fail that was filled with great actors and told a blow-by-blow story of a mortgage company’s mistakes and unethical decisions of other firms. It was far too believable, mostly because the world today has become so corrupt – more and more people think it’s okay because everyone else is doing it.

Considering the rise in ethical mishaps in companies and firms, it makes total sense that the subject of ethics would grow in importance to schools and hiring agents. Throughout my college career and through all of my professors, I seem to have retained that all ethical issues in a business can be a very close call. However, no matter the details and specifics of the dilemma PR or Ad Firms can always rely on the truth. Absolute honesty can only help you when you are stuck in a pickle.

Sources:

“Ethics Definition: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/ethics.html”

“American Apparel Story Info: http://business-ethics.com/2011/03/15/0852-american-apparel-and-the-ethics-of-a-sexually-charged-workplace/”

Tough Guise Video

Since we didn't really get to discuss the 'Tough Guise' Video, I felt I needed to get some things off my chest concerning it. It was very strange to see these opinions but at the same time I wasn't surprised by the conclusions that were drawn. Perhaps it is our day and age that has changed the ways boys and men act and consider themselves successful/attractive. It surely does explain the growing violent crimes and domestic violence in the home, but Jackson Kats is right when he says this will be harder than we think to fix.
It is also a problem for our world that we can't just allow people to be themselves, and so we make fun of them in order make them 'fit inside this tiny box' of what we 'expect them to be'. So does this mean all men are supposed to act like Bruce Willis in Die Hard (or any other of his blockbuster hits...)? Are Bruce Willis or Liam Neeson the only real men out there?
Of course not, but I believe (as I think I have said too much in my previous blog posts) that the movies make people think too much about what they do and say. Men believe, perhaps, that in order to 'get the girl in the end' or 'get the most respect from people' that they have to be tough, violent, and strong.
I'm not saying that movies are the only reason...
Mr. Kats brings up girls roles in how men see themselves, and yes, too many girls validate this 'tough guy image'. We need to learn and change our ways also, and try to look deeper than the muscles and brooding. We also need to remember that more often than not, when we go after those 'tough guys' we are almost always disappointed with how much they don't respect us.
So this truly is an issue in our world - and as we can see via crime reports, it is only getting worse (for men and women). This video was very inspirational and even though I had moved past 'falling for the bad boys' years ago ... I will remember this video for the future and for my girlfriends that could find themselves in the same predicament.

Women's Portrayal in Advertising

Jean Kilgore's movie was very inspirational and informational. It really communicated the idea that women are being taken advantage of and objectified into a very clear and concise manner. It was clear even to the men in the room that there was an issue for the women, I think when the men noticed it really struck a cord with me.
When I consider that I am going into the business of advertising, I wonder how being a woman will affect what I do and how others work with me? And I also wonder when something is created or an idea is put out there, that really degrades women and puts them down - will I be able to stand up against the person's idea?
In a fast paced world like advertising, it seems like you either run with it or you get left behind. Maybe that is why so much of the advertising is the way it is now... it has been done so quickly and with a smaller group that no one was around to say, "this is kind of sexist". Still, there are some beautiful parts to advertising and those parts drove me to want to get involved in it... hopefully I will find myself in the midst of that firm / that movement.
What is sad to me mostly about the video we saw in class... is the fact that, most likely this kind of advertising and sex-driven work isn't going anywhere. At least not anytime soon, so are we just supposed to adapt and bear it? Most people are, and I personally can see the changes in the younger generations. The reliance on technology and make-up .. the idea that not having a girlfriend at the age of 7 is the end of the world.
I wasn't anything like the kids are nowadays... and I don't know how much worse it is going to get. It is scary to even contemplate it.

Rap Videos and Hip-Hop Histories

I was very very engaged by the music videos we saw in class, and completely in awe of the histories of all of the artists and rappers of the past. It is interesting to me that many of the past artists had some many negative relations between their producers and signers.
I liked the input from you, about being really careful with who you trust in any job offers you take. Many people aren't careful enough, and can be taken advantage of financially or worse. It was interesting to see the differences in the videos over time and in different areas of the country.
Like I said in class, the video we first saw about 'self destruction' was done in a very New York manner... the surroundings and PSA-type execution. And the video called "We are all in the same gang", was made in a very Los Angeles manner... the way the video was shot looked almost like a movie or a more current video (from today).
Also, those videos were very inspirational.

Same-Sex Marriage Topic from Thursday Class

I guess I should begin this post by saying that I have experimented in my life - with same sex relationships. They didn't work out for me, but that isn't to say that it doesn't work out for many others. I know that the debates and political issues with same-sex marriage are complicated and biased (to say the least). But, I still can't understand the issues and the problems with a man marrying another man, or a woman marrying another woman. How could anyone outside of their relationship think it is any of their business?
I understand that some people are offended because of the religious aspects of the controversy, however, I thought America was founded based on the freedom of religion. Therefore, giving any American the right to choose their religious boundaries. I am a Christian, and it seemed impossible for me to imagine Jesus condemning them for being in love. Especially when today there are far worse things to be concerned with... scarier/life-threatening things.
Maybe this is one of the many reasons why so many countries are surpassing us in business and education matters. We are too focused on other Americans being just like us (cookie-cutter-America) that we can't just work together and unite as a people.
I think that many of the people protesting the matter and the politicians keeping the bills/laws from passing, are afraid of something different - afraid of change. But change happens, time passes and people progress, so, why is it getting so hard to accept?
I rambling now... starting to drift from the subject...
On top of all of those other things, I still firmly hold to the fact (and state openly when someone confronts me), that is no one's freaking business who another person marries.
It just isn't.

Why America is obsessed with being in everyone's faces about their relations... I will never know.

P.S. I love Ellen DeGeneres. (that was really irrelevant... but I was thinking about her as I wrote this, so I felt she needed to be mentioned...) :)

Latino History in Hollywoods Clutches

As an aspiring actress, I was very interested to really see the 'typecasting' and 'stereotyping' I was always warned about. The ever-feared character staple is still present today for all actors; like Jennifer Aniston as Rachel from Friends (or any other romantic-comedy leading lady) and for Jason Bateman (being the super neurotic voice of reason in a comedy set movie).
However these are just some examples, and they are not based on the person's actual demeanor in real life. In the past, especially from 20's to 50's we completely stereotyped the latin actors as only being able to play 'greasers', 'latin lovers', or 'maids'. And sadly, if we were not putting them in those roles... then we were changing their looks to make them more 'anglo-looking' and then put them in leading roles.
Rita Moreno had a very inspiring story when she boldly gave her roles everything she had, and after winning the Academy award for West Side Story she refused to stoop down and take a role that was demeaning or in any way dealing with her race in a negative aspect.
More recently, movies like 'Machete' point out the racial unfairness in Texas (and other border states). It is a farcical - action movie, but has its serious points made with in the absurd madness and gory fight scenes. Robert Rodriguez directed the film and is another person talked about in the video in class yesterday. He grew up with a video camera in his hand (just like Spielberg) and knew what he wanted to do with his career - and he fought and worked hard to get it.
It is sad to me, that many of the actors out there are fighting to be seen and heard... But that, in the past, people were specifically silenced or ignored entirely because of their cultural/racial origin. I do believe we are making great strides toward leaving all racial/gender/religious prejudice behind us for good ... but, with the copious amounts of corruption in Hollywood and Cinema - it may be a while before we sift through the garbage.