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The Goals And Merits Of A Business Ethics Competency Exam, Earl W. Spurgin
The Goals And Merits Of A Business Ethics Competency Exam, Earl W. Spurgin
Earl W. Spurgin
My university recently established a business ethics competency exam for graduate business students. The exam is designed to test whether students can demonstrate several abilities that are indicative of competency in business ethics. They are the abilities to "speak the language" of business ethics, identify business ethics issues, apply theories and concepts to issues, identify connections among theories and concepts as they relate to different issues, and construct and critically evaluate arguments for various positions on business ethics issues. Through this paper, I hope to begin a discussion among business ethicists about both the merits of a competency exam and …
What's So Special About A Special Ethics For Business?, Earl W. Spurgin
What's So Special About A Special Ethics For Business?, Earl W. Spurgin
Earl W. Spurgin
In business ethics literature, debate over a special ethics generally has framed examination of the rules governing business. By constructing a dilemma faced by proponents of a special ethics, I argue that this framing is misguided. Proponents must adopt either an insular or a derivative conception. The former, the view that business is insulated from moral rules, is problematic because arguments used to support it force proponents to accept the idea that each aspect of life is insulated from moral rules. This idea, however, renders philosophically insignificant the claim that business has a special ethics. Proponents no longer make a …
What's Wrong With Computer-Generated Images Of Perfection In Advertising?, Earl W. Spurgin
What's Wrong With Computer-Generated Images Of Perfection In Advertising?, Earl W. Spurgin
Earl W. Spurgin
ABSTRACT. Advertisers often use computers to create fantastic images. Generally, these are perfectly harmless images that are used for comic or dramatic effect. Sometimes, however, they are problematic human images that I call computer-generated images of perfection. Advertisers create these images by using computer technology to remove unwanted traits from models or to generate entire human bodies. They are images that portray ideal human beauty, bodies, or looks. In this paper, I argue that the use of such images is unethical. I begin by explaining the common objections against advertising and by demonstrating how critics might argue that those objections …