You work in logistics at Faker, Inc., an import company that buys counterfeit items from suppliers in China. Faker brings these items into the US and sells them on the streets of New York, employing over a hundred “hawkers”, all paid on commission and all making a good living. All of the “hawkers” are trained not to lie about the genuineness of whatever they are selling. In fact, Faker management encourages the “hawkers” to “tell the truth” about what customers are buying. Faker’s position is “no harm, no foul”. In fact, Faker’s CEO frequently states that the company corporate culture is one of honesty, integrity and creativity.
You are having some “issues” with the ethics of this company. You ask your trusted Ethics instructor what you should do. He suggests that you write down your thoughts on the matter by answering the following questions:
1. Could Jeremy Bentham justify the continued existence of Faker? Explain.
2. If Immanuel Kant worked at Faker, how would he feel about the corporate culture? Why?
3. Do you agree with the CEO’s description of the corporate culture at Faker? Why?