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5 - Autonomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2022

Kevin Gibson
Affiliation:
Marquette University, Wisconsin
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Summary

Autonomy is the concept of self-rule, or the ability to control our personal choices. This chapter starts with a discussion of the dubious practice of selling herbal weight-loss products and asks whether regulations should try to protect consumers from making bad choices or if buyers should be solely in control of their own decisions. Advertising can be a challenge to autonomy, especially if it misleads or manipulates by triggering unreflective psychological dynamics, and capitalism relies on consumers being informed and able to make voluntary choices. The challenges posed by internet commerce are also discussed. The morality of workplace restrictions on individuals is examined, as well as the challenges of intrusive psychological testing and reduced barriers between professional and private lives. Whistleblowing is also introduced as emblematic of the tension between individual values and loyalty to a company. The concluding case examines the Wells Fargo banking scandal where customers were unaware of accounts opened in their name and the firm coerced employees to act against their best moral judgment.

Type
Chapter
Information
Ethics and Business
An Introduction
, pp. 136 - 166
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Autonomy
  • Kevin Gibson, Marquette University, Wisconsin
  • Book: Ethics and Business
  • Online publication: 22 December 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009099127.006
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  • Autonomy
  • Kevin Gibson, Marquette University, Wisconsin
  • Book: Ethics and Business
  • Online publication: 22 December 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009099127.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Autonomy
  • Kevin Gibson, Marquette University, Wisconsin
  • Book: Ethics and Business
  • Online publication: 22 December 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009099127.006
Available formats
×