Objectives
Examine the process involved with problem formulation.Apply critical thinking to problem identification.Apply decision-making techniques.Determine factors affecting decision implementation.Evaluate resources and actions required for implementation.Evaluate ethical implications of a decision.Evaluate decision-making outcomes and processes.PromptExamine a business issue of your choosing that has ethical implications.For example, research the arguments (both for and against) regarding advertising to children, paying a living wage, requiring union membership, or selling tobacco.Research and present the leading opinions and comment on the validity of the arguments. Which side is more compelling? Why?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Examining the Ethical Implications of Advertising to Children
Introduction
Advertising to children has emerged as a significant ethical concern in the business world. With children being particularly susceptible to marketing messages, the tactics used by companies can have profound implications on their health, consumer behavior, and social development. This paper will examine the arguments for and against advertising to children, evaluate the resources and actions required for implementation, and analyze the ethical implications surrounding this issue. Ultimately, I will argue that the concerns against advertising to children present a more compelling case, primarily due to its potential impact on children’s health and development.
Problem Formulation
The core issue at hand is the ethicality of advertising targeted at children. As companies increasingly focus on marketing their products to younger audiences, questions arise about the appropriateness and consequences of such practices. Key aspects of this issue include:
1. The psychological effects of advertising on children’s behavior.
2. The influence of advertisements on children’s health choices, particularly regarding food.
3. The role of parents and guardians in mediating advertising exposure.
Arguments For Advertising to Children
1. Freedom of Speech: Proponents argue that advertising is a form of free expression and that companies have the right to market their products to any demographic, including children. They contend that this freedom is essential for a competitive market.
2. Educational Value: Some argue that certain advertisements can have educational benefits, teaching children about new products and services. For example, ads for educational toys or books may foster learning and discovery.
3. Economic Benefits: Advertising can stimulate consumption, which contributes to economic growth. By targeting younger demographics, companies can establish brand loyalty early on, fostering long-term consumer relationships.
Arguments Against Advertising to Children
1. Vulnerability and Manipulation: Critics assert that children do not possess the cognitive skills necessary to critically evaluate advertisements. This vulnerability makes them more susceptible to manipulation, leading to poor decision-making and materialistic values.
2. Impact on Health: A significant concern revolves around the promotion of unhealthy food products through targeted advertising. Research indicates that children exposed to junk food advertisements are more likely to develop unhealthy eating habits, contributing to rising obesity rates among youth.
3. Undermining Parental Authority: Advertising directly aimed at children can undermine parental guidance. When children are bombarded with marketing messages, they may pressure parents into purchasing items they do not need or that may not be in their best interest.
Evaluating Resources and Actions Required for Implementation
To effectively address the ethical implications of advertising to children, several resources and actions are necessary:
1. Regulatory Frameworks: Governments should implement stricter regulations on advertising aimed at children, particularly in areas concerning unhealthy food products. This may include restrictions on the time slots during which such advertisements can air or outright bans on specific types of marketing.
2. Educational Campaigns: Organizations focused on child welfare can develop educational campaigns aimed at parents and children about the potential impacts of advertising. This will empower families to make informed decisions.
3. Corporate Responsibility: Companies should adopt ethical marketing practices that prioritize children’s well-being over profit margins. This can involve creating advertisements that promote healthy lifestyles or refraining from marketing unhealthy products to children.
Ethical Implications of Decision-Making
The decision to allow advertising targeted at children raises significant ethical concerns:
– Exploitation vs. Responsibility: Companies face a moral dilemma between maximizing profits through aggressive marketing tactics and exercising responsibility toward vulnerable consumers.
– Long-term Consequences: Decisions made today regarding advertising practices can have long-term impacts on children’s health and societal norms around consumption, making it crucial for businesses to consider these ramifications seriously.
Evaluating Decision-Making Outcomes and Processes
The outcomes of advertising decisions can be evaluated based on their impact on children’s well-being:
– Health Metrics: Analyzing data related to childhood obesity rates and related health issues can provide insight into whether targeted advertising contributes negatively to children’s health.
– Behavioral Analysis: Understanding how advertising influences children’s behavior over time can help determine if it fosters positive or negative consumer habits.
Conclusion
After examining the ethical implications of advertising to children and analyzing both sides of the argument, it is clear that the concerns against such practices are more compelling. The vulnerability of children to manipulation, the potential for developing unhealthy habits, and the undermining of parental authority present significant ethical challenges that outweigh the arguments in favor of advertising. To protect children’s well-being, stricter regulations and responsible marketing practices must be prioritized by both businesses and society as a whole. By fostering a healthier environment for children, we can contribute to their overall development while still allowing businesses to operate ethically within the marketplace.
