Ok Tedi Mining Management Ethics - Case Study Example

Running head: MANAGEMENT ETHICS: САSЕ STUDY THE OK TEDI COPPER MINE Management Ethics: Саsе Study the Ok Tedi Copper Mine [Writer’s name] [Institution’s name] Management Ethics: Саsе Study The Ok Tedi Copper Mine Introduction Many organizations tend to face the difficult decisions of loss their profit or loss of human and animal life. Very few make the ethically and morally correct one this paper by means of the Ok Tedi Mining case analyzes this concept. Inorder to do so Utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, Justice (Rawls and Nozick), Rights and the normative ethical relativism shall be evaluated and implemented Analysis Case analyzed according to Utilitarian principles Utilitarianism highlights an extremely intense just policy as that which yields the greatest good for the greatest number. As it is based on aggregate outcomes and not individual or collective results. Keeping this in mind the Ok Tedi mine case’s incident may be explained according to the utilitarian point of view. Considering the background of the case one has to also maintain a extent of concern in recommending any specific ideology-based theory , however the unethical actions on the part of Tedi Mining Limited, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea may be evaluated by Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian calculus, i.e. what are the relative costs and benefits of alternative forms of enterprise management on a case by case basis? (May 2009) According Utilitarian point of view the end result consists of all good and bad caused due to the act. It may be either way after the act has or when it is being performed. If the discrepancy in the consequences of another act is not immense, many Utilitarians may not consider the choice among them as a moral concern. However, in this case the consequence was much too huge to be disregarded and by their point of view it would be an immoral act as it led to the loss of many people. As per John Mill, acts must be segmented as being morally right or wrong just if the cost are of such importance that a individual would desire to see the agent constrained, not just convinced and encouraged, to act in the ideal behavior. Providing that Tedi Mining Limited BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea sought that it had provided economical gains but in turn the loss was even more as it resulted in environmental pollution and loss of lives of both humans an animals. In the beginning of that work Bentham wrote: "Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do. On the one hand the standard of right and wrong, on the other the chain of causes and effects, are fastened to their throne. They govern us in all we do, in all we say, in all we think: every effort we can make to throw off our subjection, will serve but to demonstrate and confirm it."( Bentham 1781) As per this notion it may evaluated that according to this school of taught Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea caused pain more then pleasure and thus was morally wrong in what they did as the consequences of their actions spoke volumes. To further explain and evaluate their notion according to the case, it may be fair to highlight the fact that Bentham assumed that pain and pleasure do not just explain our actions but also help us define what is good and moral. He believed that this foundation could provide a basis for social, legal, and moral reform in society. Key to his ethical system is the principle of utility. That is, what is the greatest good for the greatest number? Mill and Bentham ‘s hedonic calculus may also be implemented to this case in question, i.e. intensity, duration, propinquity, certainty, fecundity, purity, and extent. Intensity meaning the strength of the pleasure/pain. As per this case the strength on pain was quite intense which also left long term effects due to the pollution and loss of wildlife and human life the second element is duration? As per the case the duration of losses was unlimited . Propinquity means how quickly will it appear?. As per the case instantly. Certainty means likelihood of pleasure as per case. Fecundity means the capability to generate more secluded pleasures (Gini 2005). As per the case the pains were more then the pleasures thus no ability existed. Purity means the significant amount of pain in companion with the sum pleasure. As per the case the pain was more then pleasure. Extent means how many individuals were affected. As per the case many people were painfully effected. Kant The Kantian deontological moral theory may be considered as the foundation from which many organizations that can incorporate and maintain the ideology of justice and ecological liability supporting most concepts of sustainability . This may he quite true for the case of Tedi mines as they would have implemented Kantian deontological moral theory in their actions then maybe the amount of loss caused may not have taken place. The most influential deontology was developed by the eighteenth-century Prussian philosopher Immanuel Kant, who many believe to be the greatest philosopher ever. Kant's greatness as a philosopher comes because of his originality, the depth of his thinking, and the influence he has had. This is true of his basic theories of knowledge and reality, and also of his influential moral theory (Goodin 1985). In every part of his notion, he entirely focused on human contribution. According to the theory one contributes, to the "reality" of the environment and society via mental actions; similarly, morality is not something which may be derived from the outside of an individual , by divine authority or through cultural training, nevertheless from human self-determination and reasoning good will is not dependent on externals; morality is not about externals (Solomon 1991). Morality is concerning definite commands that one should follow only because it is the right thing to do. . If one analyzes the case the in the light of the above paragraph it may be noted that in the Tedi mining case the company , BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea did not stop their work even though they knew that it was not the right thing to do . Nothing external could have made them make the decision to carry on, their own mental actions made them do the wrong thing, which in turn caused ample loss. “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” (Kant 1997) According to his theory morality is not concerning pleasure, satisfaction self-fulfillment, concern, dedication, etc. But is based on 2 general moral beliefs. They are given under. An individual who indulges in wrong actions as it is the morally right thing to do is particularly praiseworthy, as compared to an individual who indulges in actions to acquire some kind of personal benefit. A moral person is eager to live with the same regulations he or she thinks every one should follow. However one may note a bit of change as the Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea thought they were doing the right thing because they were increasing economy and providing jobs but the projects end was quite a mess. They knew it would cause a lot of pain but they followed through. Here they were wrong even according to this part of theory, as they implemented something for their personal gain. The moral law is generated from one’s capability to reason regarding if a moral law is reliable. The moral law is created from an individual’s aptitude to universalize as well as to pursue general maxims. If one acts while regarding the for the moral law, he/she may be stand apart from each and every external situation; one conquers the conditioning influence of environmental pressure. By acting ethically, one can carry out an extraordinary deed, something which is originated from one’s free reaction to moral laws, a response which is unconditioned via external aspects (Luetge 2013). Here one may note that many external factors were effecting the decision making of Tedi mining , BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea which caused them to make the unethical decision . they preferred to ignore their won warning signs and carry on work so that they could end the project with high profits. Thus, it may be just to point out that even according to Kant’s deontological moral theory Tedi Mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea decision to carry on working was wrong and unethical. This makes them an unmoral organization. Justice Rawl Rawl’s theory of justice is based on an ethical understanding of liberty and equality. The main concept of theory is that it describes the conditions of justice; Principles of justice are required to direct the behavior of the people. These parties are known to face a fair amount scarcity, and these are neither extremely unselfish nor entirely inconsiderate. These people have requisites which they seek to proceed, however they rather follow them by collaboration with others on equally acceptable requisites. Keeping this in mind one may see that the Tedi mining Ltd , BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea wanted the acceptance of other s on the decision so they said that they gave a boast to economy and jobs . This is where the term these people have requisites which they seek to proceed, however they rather follow them by collaboration with others on equally acceptable requisites maybe implemented. Rawls also based his theory on the principles of justice by means of an artificial device known as the Original position. Within this position an individual chooses the principle of justice from behind a veil of ignorance. He considered the veil to be a source of blinding individuals regarding every personal gain or fact which may hinder their capability to do justice. The main concept is that justice can only be selected if people use this veil. As per the case it may be noted that the veil was not used at all and Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea were not blinded by it and thus they only considered their selfish needs and gains. If this is considered then they were incapable of doing justice to the people and wildlife around and in the mines. It is based on two principals: “ “First each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.” (Rawls, 1971) This principal is associated with political freedom and freedom of speech. “Second is Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that” (Rawls, 1971) (a) this is based on the notion of most advantage to the under privileged of the society. Sa per case this part of the principal shows that Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea was unethical in their actions as they did not consider the lives of the under privileged and animals (b) This may also be based fair equality of opportunity regarding employment and positions Thus, it may be noted that even according to Rawl’s theory of justice Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea was unethical in their actions. Nozick According to Nozick’s theory of justice the notion of equity still carries this notion of a justice that which is much are much more intense then legal regulations (Nozick 1974). Thus, equity by his notion may be considered as supporting equal prospects and affirmative action and underprivileged minorities, along with the equal rights of democracy. Here it is repeatedly concerned as showing equal apprehension for equally for all citizens (Becker 2011). Here as per the case .one may note that there were n equal prospects for the animals in the environment and the environment around the mine. It was something less important then their personal gains. Rights Rights as per the case can be analyzed best by Thomas Hobbs, as according to him the human nature, one wants to maximize their well being, rights are usually considered to be before law, natural or institutional. Furthermore people will not abide the laws of nature without initially being subjected to an autonomous power, without which the notion of right and wrong are worthless (Hobbes 1651). Here one may note that Tedi Mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea wanted to maximize their wellbeing , it may be that the statement which Tedi mining , BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea gave of economy boost and employment maybe because the were worried about their personal wellbeing of the project. As per John Locke there are 3 natural rights: Life: every individual is permitted to live after they are created. If one attempts to quote the case then it may be noted that Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea went against this right and caused also of human and animal and environmental pollution. Liberty: every person is at liberty to do whatever they want to if it will not clash with the first right (Becker 2011). Here again it may be noted that Tedi mining, BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea went against the first right so the liberty right which it implemented was wrong Estate: each person is at liberty to possess what ever they construct or get as a gift or trade so long as it doesn't clash with the above stated rights. By the theories of rights one can say that Tedi mining was ethically wrong in their actions to carry on work even after knowing the consequences. Normative Ethical Relativism Normative ethical relativism is based on the notion that there are no collectively applicable moral values. Normative ethical relativism theory states that the ethical rightness and wrongness of behavior is different in each society and that there is no supreme general moral standards requisite on every individual (Pecornio 2012). Here one may note that the Tedi mining incident was so ethically wrong that it held low on all moral standards in every society. No society however normative their vales may allow loss and pollution of man and environment. Conclusion Here one may also note that when it comes to business expansion on most organization leave behind their moral and ethics. The case in question of OK Tedi mining may be evaluated by means theories based on the ethics and morality . Each of the above give and evaluated five theories conclude the same notion that the actions of Tedi mining , BHP and the government of Papua New Guinea were morally wrong. Their actions led to more loss then gain, thus one may conclude that they completely ethically and morally wrong. References Becker, C. (2011): Sustainability Ethics and Sustainability Research. Dordrecht: Springer. Becker, Christian U (2011)., Foundations of Business Ethics – Considerations on the Methodology of Business Ethics and the Roles of Philosophy and Economics Within. SSRN Discussion Paper Bentham Jeremy (1781) , An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation Prometheus Books Gini, Al, (2005), Case Studies in Business Ethics (5e), Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Goodin, Robert E. (1985), Protecting the Vulnerable, Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Hobbes, Thomas (1651). Leviathan: Or the Matter, Forme, and Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, ed. by Ian Shapiro (Yale University Press; 2010). John Rawls (1971). A Theory of Justice (revised edition). Cambridge, MA: Belknap/Harvard. Kant Immanuel (1997), Lectures on Ethics, Cambridge University Press Luetge, Christoph (2013), Handbook of the Philosophical Foundations of Business Ethics. Springer Books Philip A. Pecorino (2012) Introduction To Philosophy an Online Textbook. Retrieved from www.qcc.cuny.edu/.../Chapter%208%20Ethics/Normative_Ethical_R. on 21 March 2013 Ronald James May (2009), Policy making and implementation: studies from Papua New Guinea. Canberra: ANU E Press Solomon, Robert. (1991), “Business ethics,” in Peter Singer, ed., A Companion to Ethics, Malden, MA: Blackwell, 354-365. Read More