College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business Ethics and Social Institutions

Case Discussion Questions for July 20, 2004:

1) Is NASA morally responsible for the deaths of the astronauts, i.e. did they know the damage that occurred to the wing would lead to the deaths of the 7 astronauts?

2) Identify the parties that could be considered causally responsible for the deaths of the 7 astronauts.

3) How has NASA’s culture changed from the Von Braun culture in 1958 to today, 2004? Did this change contribute to the deaths of the astronauts? If so, how?

4) How did NASA’s ethical and cultural relativism contribute to their declining emphasis on safety?

5) Explain how NASA’s senior management team might employ the principle of Utilitarianism.

6) How might the principle of Deontology have been applied within NASA to avert this tragedy?

7) What value did the management team place on the astronauts’ lives?

8) Are whistle-blowing and moral courage the same thing? Defend your answer.

9) The Mason and Kidder articles contend that NASA needs to change its “lethal culture”. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.

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