Prompt: A product that a potential buyer knows about but is not actively seeking is called an unsought product. Is the marketing of unsought products unethical? • Discuss your answer in terms of the AMA Code of Ethics, found at https://www.ama.org
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
Marketing Unsought Products: Ethical Considerations
Introduction
Marketing plays a crucial role in connecting products and services with potential buyers. In this dynamic landscape, marketers face the challenge of promoting not only sought-after products but also unsought ones. Unsought products are those that potential buyers may not actively seek or be aware of. The ethical implications of marketing unsought products have been a subject of debate. This article aims to explore the ethical considerations related to marketing unsought products, with reference to the American Marketing Association (AMA) Code of Ethics.
Understanding Unsought Products
Before delving into the ethics of marketing unsought products, it is essential to understand what they entail. Unsought products are those that potential buyers are not actively seeking or may not be aware of. These products often fall into categories such as funeral services, life insurance, or certain medical procedures. For example, a young and healthy individual might not actively seek life insurance until prompted by an external event like buying a house or starting a family.
The AMA Code of Ethics
The AMA Code of Ethics serves as a guiding framework for marketers, outlining principles and guidelines for responsible marketing practices. These principles encompass honesty, fairness, respect, transparency, and social responsibility. When analyzing the ethical implications of marketing unsought products, it is essential to consider how these principles apply.
Ethical Considerations
Informed Consent: One of the primary ethical concerns when marketing unsought products is ensuring that potential buyers have adequate information to make informed decisions. Marketers must provide clear and accurate information about the product, its benefits, and its potential risks. This transparency allows potential buyers to make choices based on their personal needs and preferences.
Respect for Autonomy: Marketing unsought products should respect an individual’s autonomy and personal choices. Rather than employing manipulative tactics, marketers should aim to educate potential buyers about the product’s value and benefits. This approach empowers individuals to make autonomous decisions in line with their own beliefs and priorities.
Avoiding Misrepresentation: Ethical marketing of unsought products requires honesty and integrity. Marketers should avoid misrepresenting information about the product or using deceptive tactics to generate interest. Misleading potential buyers can undermine trust and damage the reputation of both the marketer and the organization they represent.
Targeted Marketing: While promoting unsought products, marketers must exercise caution in their targeting strategies. Targeting vulnerable populations or exploiting emotional triggers to sell these products can raise ethical concerns. Marketers should prioritize the well-being and best interests of potential buyers rather than solely focusing on sales targets.
Social Responsibility: The AMA Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of marketers considering societal welfare in their decision-making processes. When marketing unsought products, marketers should weigh the social impact of their actions and ensure they are contributing positively to society. This could involve conducting thorough market research, understanding the needs of potential buyers, and tailoring marketing efforts accordingly.
Conclusion
Marketing unsought products presents ethical considerations that marketers must navigate responsibly. By adhering to the principles outlined in the AMA Code of Ethics, marketers can ensure that their marketing practices for unsought products are ethical and respectful. Transparency, informed consent, respect for autonomy, avoiding misrepresentation, targeted marketing, and social responsibility are key factors to consider when marketing these types of products. By upholding these principles, marketers can promote unsought products in a manner that respects potential buyers’ autonomy and contributes positively to society.
