Sample of Ethical Model

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1097 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 4

Business Ethics Decision Making using Kidder' Ethics Check Points

Identification of the relevant facts

Identification of the moral issue 2

Potential for harm

Determination of the moral agents

The "trilemma" options

Test for right-versus-wrong issues

Application of resolution principles

The Decision

Reflection of the decision

Identification of the relevant facts

In this case examination, we consider the case of the bailout of General Motors by the U.S. government in 2014. This is based on a report published by news agency Reuters on April 30, 2014, titled "U.S. government says it lost $11.2 billion on GM bailout." It is revealed in the news report that U.S. government lost $11.2 billion when it bailed out General Motors Co through its selling of the government shares in GM in December the earlier year. More than $50 billion was used to bail out GM from the brink of the company's 2009 bankruptcy ("U.S. government says it lost $11.2 billion on GM bailout," 2016). The government used public money for the bailout of a private company.

Identification of the moral issue

The moral issue, in this case, is that the U.S. government not only lost money but the money it lost belonged to the taxpayers of the country. The government used money that it had collected from the taxpayers with the known promise of spending it in a manner that benefits the people from which it was collected. However, the government instead used the money to provide relief to a private company and thus it can be concluded that the spending of the public money did not serve any greater good for the people from whom it was collected.

Stuck Writing Your "Sample of Ethical Model" ?

View All Our Example Sample of Ethical Model

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Potential for harm

This is a clear case of unfair use of the money and treatment towards the general population of the U.S. This is also a case of inappropriate resource allocation by the government where the government utilized money that was meant to be spent for public development for the betterment of a private individual. This is also a fit case to allege that the U.S. government in this case reflected a clear lack of concern for its social responsibility and the common good.

Determination of the moral agents

In this case it is very clear that the government as whole and individuals who took the decision to bail out the private company with public money are the agents of the moral issue.

The "trilemma" options

There was a third way. Instead of the government spending public money directly for the bail out it could have used other methods like taxation relief or other softer means to try and help out the company from the near bankruptcy position it was. The government could also have taken steps to arrange for private investment in the company.

Test for right-versus-wrong issues

The legal test - the step by the government is absolutely legal and it was within its legal right to have bailed out General Motors Co.

The intuition test -- however, this action of the government is not uncommon and had been done on earlier occasions. But this goes against the moral principles of rightful use of public….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sample Of Ethical Model" (2016, May 15) Retrieved June 29, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sample-ethical-model-2155857

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sample Of Ethical Model" 15 May 2016. Web.29 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sample-ethical-model-2155857>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Sample Of Ethical Model", 15 May 2016, Accessed.29 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/sample-ethical-model-2155857
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example