Question

Marshall owns and operates a construction firm. He uses inexpensive and low-grade building products and accepts inferior carpentry work from his subcontractors. Nevertheless, Marshall complies with all the city building codes as well as all state and federal laws. Has he fulfilled all of his ethical obligations?

a. No, because ethics is too hard to define.
b. Yes, because legal standards are stricter than ethical standards.
c. Yes, because ethical obligations require only legal behavior.
d. No, because legal compliance is regarded as the moral minimum.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is (d)

Explanation:

Ethics is considered above law as law requires just compliance of laws, rules and regulations. Ethics on the other hand establishes a standard of moral conduct. Being mere legal does not mean that something is ethical. Ethical responsibilities are not codified as it is expected from businesses to follow the same.

Here, Marshall, though complied with legal frameworks, he failed to fulfill his ethical obligations by using low-grade products that could harm the general public in future.