College of
Business
Administration
College of
Business
Administration
5.5 Corporate Responsibility and the Environment: Weiss
1) Should we use up the resources that we need now, and let future generations adapt and evolve to a different, possibly harsher, environment? Or should we preserve our natural resources, and habitats for future generations to share and enjoy? Why?
2) Toxic air pollution is killing thousands of people in major urban centers in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, as well as in New York City. Should we be concerned about foreign air pollution? Why? Who is better able to deal with the problem, corporations, consumers, or government?
8.2 Emerging Macro-Ethical Issues: Weiss
3) Eric Parens states "... using genetics for human enhancement rather than therapeutics poses huge dilemmas." What are the dilemmas?
4) One criticism of genetic engineering is that it goes "against nature's and God's design." One counterargument is "Evolution perfects nothing; it is a tinkerer, not an engineer." What are the conflicting points here?
Taking Sides Issue 18:
5) What are basic economic freedoms?
6) "Which is more important: the present profits of the industry and the current low prices in the vegetable aisle or the future of the birds?"
Taking Sides Issue 19:
7) What are the advantages and disadvantages of ecotourism?
8) "Religion and government no longer work as forces for community and change. We are in the era of business, it defines our relationships and values, and it doesn't have to be driven by the bottom line." Is this true?
General issues:
9) The Clinton Administration signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 but the Bush Administration withdrew its support in 2001 due to the requirements that U.S. cut greenhouse gas emission to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. The current administration claims that this puts too heavy a burden on the U.S. economy and also criticized the protocol for not including developing nations. How would you advise to the President of the United States if you were one of his:
a. Advisor on international politics?
b. Advisor on environmental issues?
c. Advisor on economy?
10) The vast majority of governments such as Japan and European Union countries believe that the steps to cut down greenhouse gas emissions will spur the free market economies. Do you agree with this statement? If so, why?
11) Many argue that Global Warming is one of the largest problems facing the world and needs to be addressed at the government level. Do you think an individual corporation can do something about it? If so what? As individuals and as a society, do we have a responsibility to our future generations to address the issue now?
12) Some argue that government mandates on emissions have spurred new markets in the automobile industry. Do you agree with this proposition? Why? Can government regulation be effective in other environmentally sensitive markets as well?
13) Humanity now faces perhaps its most significant challenge ever-acting as a common community to stave off a major threat to the earth’s habitability. Slowing global warming will shape almost every aspect of the economy as well as our political institutions. Do you agree with this statement? Why?
14) Are current regulations sufficient to maintain sustainable levels of fossil fuels with nations like China and India set to increase industrialization? What can be done to prevent overconsumption?
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