SOMETHING'S ROTTEN IN HONDO

SUMMARY

• George Mackee is the manager of the Ardnak Plastic incorporation. Bill, his boss brings up a problem that they have been having for a while with the EPA(Environment Protection Agency). Their smokestack emissions were consistently above EPA guidelines and they were being fined from the EPA. They have no money to invest in scrubbers to clean the smokestacks and they had no money because their margins were at their limits and there was no money for new scrubbers. The Mexican government said that no such clean air restrictions would be imposed on Ardnak if they relocated 15 miles south of Hondo in Mexico but they must hire Mexican workers so most of the employees would lose their job. George had a week to decide what to do. He tried calling other plastic incorporations to see what they would do. Their solutions were still unhealthy and contaminated the air even more. George has a tough decision to make or he has to raise money fast to help save the factory.

SOLUTIONS

• George Mackee was confronted with the difficult task of finding multiple solutions for his plants pollution problem. George was rapidly running out of options so he contacted the Mexican government.who gave him a few ideas. The Mexican government gave George the option to move the plant to Mexico. He wouldn't have to worry about the government bothering him with air contamination. The problem with this solution is that all the American employees would be fired and that would involve the loss of friends and he would also have a burden on his mind. Another option he has is to work at night which is what other plants are doing. The problem with this is that is that the air would get even more contaminated. George has much more options, he can also try to fundraise to buy new scrubbers for the plant but he might not raise enough money and some workers might not help him. George can also invest in solar panels as a new means of producing energy but the company most likely doesn't have the money too stall them. Lastly, George can take the easy way out and quit his job due to his lack effort.

UTILITARIANISM

• Benelovant Spectator: Giving equal consideration to each person being affected by the decision including George.
• Greatest Happiness Principle(Principle of Utility): a decision for the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people.

UTILITARIANISM

• George, thinking as the Benelovant spectator would keep the company where it is because every employee would lose their jobs. George can resolve these working conditions in Hondo, Texas by buying new scrubbers. Even though the company has no money, George can run a company fundraiser to raise money for scrubbers. Also the company's heavy emissions at night could possibly be temporary until they can afford new scrubber.

UTILITARIANISM

• The reason why the other theories is not acceptable which is moving to Mexico are because hundreds of people would lose their jobs and could lose everything from it. The working conditions in Mexico will be too dangerous and unhealthy
• With regards to Utilitarianism, the factors that must be considered for the greatest good are determined by the decision that creates the greatest amount of good for the workers working in the plant. The pollution factor can not be taken into consideration due to the fact that pollution will be the same regardless of the decision being made.

KANTIAN ETHICS

• Categorical Imperative: Moral laws/commands.

KANT

• The categorical imperative states that one should act only according to the thought that if everyone were to commit this action, would it still be considered good? The categorical imperative only focuses on the actions of an individual and not on the outcome of said actions. Therefore, According to Kantian ethics, the right thing to do is to move to Mexico so that George is not breaking the law.

KANT

• Staying in the United States and continuing the pollution practiced would be breaking the law. If everyone were to break the law, then this would not be a good society and thus staying in the United States could not be reconciled with Kantian ethics.

THEORY OF RIGHTS

• Subordination
• Natural rights

RIGHTS

• He can buy new scrubbers for the plant because he would not treat employees as a mean. Gives them right of life and right to property.

RIGHTS

• Moving to Mexico would affect the right to property and the employee's rights to life and would be treated as a means.

CATHOLIC ETHICAL SYSTEMS

• The role of Conscience can be applied in this case to seek information about what is the morally right decision for this situation. Conscience can also be defined as a decision about what God wants from George, and therefore, what is right for George to do.
• Mature and moral conscience which is the ability to make up one's mind for oneself about what ought to be done.
• Character: a pattern of actions which reflects his attitudes and dispositions and our readiness to look at things and to make choices in certain ways to decide a resolution between the situations.
• "Imageo Dei" which means "Image of God." All humans are made in the image of God and therefore are inherently good and one must not do harm to others.

CATHOLIC ETHICAL VIEW

• The best response that is morally best is by using his conscience to help out his friends and family by not having to lay them off and this also helps his conscience by making the right moral decision.

CATHOLIC ETHICAL VIEW

• The object of this situation is to either go to Mexico and not worry about pollution or to stay in Hondo, Texas and do the heavy emission at night. The intention is for Bill to make money and to have a successful company. The circumstance is for George to avoid getting fired from Bill.
• We also can use the term "Imageo Dei" which means "Image of God." All humans are made in the image of God and therefore are inherently good and one must not do harm to others. Therefore, George would be harming the other employees which would by extension be harming God. George can also quit and not harm anyone.
• The other decisions would not be as acceptable because if George were to quit, he would be hurting his family because he wouldn't be able to afford supporting a family. Although he has the free will to make his own decision, but he could make a decision that hurts the company and get himself fired.