BUsiness ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

BUsiness ethics - Essay Example The intended result may not justify the means, and the act remains immoral. In the article, Nagel seeks to make the distinction in an attempt to create a moral framework by which to view the Vietnam war and its atrocities, or war and massacre in general. His concern is to develop a consistent and cogent set of elements by which particular acts of war may be adjudged as to whether they are right or wrong. The chosen article was published in the December 2006 issue of the prestigious Fortune magazine, which is widely subscribed by managers and executives. It deals with the trade of ‘conflict diamonds’, or diamonds that were mined through the exploitation of the poor citizens of these African states. Ordinarily, the businessman has a right to make a profit and the customer a right to buy the product. However, where the product is but a luxury, it raises the question why the workers should be denied fair treatment and a decent standard of living. In this light, the businessman’s right to a profit and the customer’s right to acquire a product must be denied to protect the workers’ fundamental human rights. However, should the diamond trade be banned, there would be the corollary issue of whether it is right to deprive these workers of their only source of livelihood. The dilemma is that closure of the business puts a stop to one evil and spawns another. While legitimate diamond companies have taken steps to contain the illegal trade, its complete eradication is a near impossibility. Thus the workers can do little more than tolerate the present state of affairs, or face starvation. (Fortune Magazine) -- Sahr Amara is stooped low, knee-deep in a muddy river, in the fifth hour of his workday. As he has each day for the past week, the 18-year-old will earn a stipend of only 7 cents, enough to buy himself a bowl of porridge to see