Critically assess the view that businesses have a moral duty to put their customers first
In ethical studies, business ethics refers to a form of applied ethics which crucially examines ethical
principles and moral problems which arise within the business's environment. When accessing the
issues which occur it is vital to acknowledge how business operate in the face of customers and
whether they have a moral duty to put their customers first. In assessing this idea Kantian ethics,
proposed by Immanuel Kant, and Utilitarians, formulated by Jeremy Bentham will have to be applied
to conclude a strong verdict.
The notion of businesses having a moral duty to put their customers may appear cogent, thus
evident when applying the principle of Corporate Social Responsibility. This is the principle that
businesses have a crucial responsibility towards the wider community and environment. However,
this argument is strengthened through using this principle and applying to stakeholders (those in a
company such as: employees and local community) , therefore the stake-holding theory looks at the
broader range of people affected by organisations, reiterating decisions do not only affect the owner
yet impact upon employees and customers and even the environment. This idea is convincing as it
put emphasis how perhaps as a shareholder, they have a responsibility not only to consider
themselves but also their employees and customers, as will their loyal customer remain if different
decisions are made to affect the format of the business. This argument is strengthened through
philosopher Aristotle who postulated the good of an individual was splendid but the good of a
community is even greater. This idea directly links to how businesses should have a moral duty to
put their customers first considering what is in the best interests of the wider community - perhaps
in doing this it will further strengthen the businesses to flourish considering opinions from their
customers. Through considering Cardinal Vincent Nicholos who asserted the traditional Catholic
social teaching to commend seven principles for a better business, using the principle of the
solidarity it strengthens the argument. As such, this principle argues businesses should remain aware
of all needs of the community, in a sense striving for the common good by helping those in under
privileged communities. Therefore, Businesses should use their moral duty to show compassion will
all stakeholder and the impact businesses have on the lives on stakeholders cannot be ignored and
underestimated and the solidarity with these stakeholders is fundamentally paramount. This
argument is once again strengthened through using a Kantian perspective when applied to this idea-
as such Kant used the example of a ‘good shopkeeper’. Which highlights how the good shopkeeper is
honest not because it is good for business but because it is the right thing to do. This illustrates the
‘duty for the duties sake’ perhaps showcasing one does the right thing as when linked to the
argument putting customers first is the morally right thing to do as we have a corporate
responsibility as it is our duty. However, the good shopkeeper argument is flawed when applying it
to a dilemma if a murderer came in asking where the location of one of his colleagues was. If using
the Kantian approach of telling the truth as it is our duty in a sense shows no aspect of compassion
as from different perspectives it would not be morally right as if using morality, one would lie in that
situation – therefore shows the flaws withing this argument.
On the other hand, the concept of businesses having a moral duty to put their customers first may
appear implausible through considering the aspect of making profit. Therefore, one must consider
social impacts business hold for stakeholders and whether that means they must operate with
consideration of their social responsibility. This idea is plausible through adhering to some
economists and ethical egoist (a theory of promoting our own good, but not necessarily at any cost)
assert that setting up profit as the main and only objective leads to the self-regulating behaviour of
the business marketplace, as it is consumer demands that businesses are trying to appease, creating
a win-win situation. When accessing the validity of this idea it is vital to consider thinker Adam Smith
In ethical studies, business ethics refers to a form of applied ethics which crucially examines ethical
principles and moral problems which arise within the business's environment. When accessing the
issues which occur it is vital to acknowledge how business operate in the face of customers and
whether they have a moral duty to put their customers first. In assessing this idea Kantian ethics,
proposed by Immanuel Kant, and Utilitarians, formulated by Jeremy Bentham will have to be applied
to conclude a strong verdict.
The notion of businesses having a moral duty to put their customers may appear cogent, thus
evident when applying the principle of Corporate Social Responsibility. This is the principle that
businesses have a crucial responsibility towards the wider community and environment. However,
this argument is strengthened through using this principle and applying to stakeholders (those in a
company such as: employees and local community) , therefore the stake-holding theory looks at the
broader range of people affected by organisations, reiterating decisions do not only affect the owner
yet impact upon employees and customers and even the environment. This idea is convincing as it
put emphasis how perhaps as a shareholder, they have a responsibility not only to consider
themselves but also their employees and customers, as will their loyal customer remain if different
decisions are made to affect the format of the business. This argument is strengthened through
philosopher Aristotle who postulated the good of an individual was splendid but the good of a
community is even greater. This idea directly links to how businesses should have a moral duty to
put their customers first considering what is in the best interests of the wider community - perhaps
in doing this it will further strengthen the businesses to flourish considering opinions from their
customers. Through considering Cardinal Vincent Nicholos who asserted the traditional Catholic
social teaching to commend seven principles for a better business, using the principle of the
solidarity it strengthens the argument. As such, this principle argues businesses should remain aware
of all needs of the community, in a sense striving for the common good by helping those in under
privileged communities. Therefore, Businesses should use their moral duty to show compassion will
all stakeholder and the impact businesses have on the lives on stakeholders cannot be ignored and
underestimated and the solidarity with these stakeholders is fundamentally paramount. This
argument is once again strengthened through using a Kantian perspective when applied to this idea-
as such Kant used the example of a ‘good shopkeeper’. Which highlights how the good shopkeeper is
honest not because it is good for business but because it is the right thing to do. This illustrates the
‘duty for the duties sake’ perhaps showcasing one does the right thing as when linked to the
argument putting customers first is the morally right thing to do as we have a corporate
responsibility as it is our duty. However, the good shopkeeper argument is flawed when applying it
to a dilemma if a murderer came in asking where the location of one of his colleagues was. If using
the Kantian approach of telling the truth as it is our duty in a sense shows no aspect of compassion
as from different perspectives it would not be morally right as if using morality, one would lie in that
situation – therefore shows the flaws withing this argument.
On the other hand, the concept of businesses having a moral duty to put their customers first may
appear implausible through considering the aspect of making profit. Therefore, one must consider
social impacts business hold for stakeholders and whether that means they must operate with
consideration of their social responsibility. This idea is plausible through adhering to some
economists and ethical egoist (a theory of promoting our own good, but not necessarily at any cost)
assert that setting up profit as the main and only objective leads to the self-regulating behaviour of
the business marketplace, as it is consumer demands that businesses are trying to appease, creating
a win-win situation. When accessing the validity of this idea it is vital to consider thinker Adam Smith
