The unbridled ambition of the Volkswagen Company fueled the ultimate corporate scandal in the automobile industry. Mr. Winterkorn, the C.E.O of the company, admitted that they had installed software that was designed to cheat on emission tests. More than 11 million diesel cars had the malicious software that allowed the release of harmful substances in the environment without the pollution regulation body noticing (Hakim et.al). The C.E.O might have played a major role in disabling the emissions controls to give an advantage to Volkswagen and increase their sales. Volkswagen entered into the crisis because Winterkorn failed to raise an alarm and oppose the move of the company to engage in unethical behaviors.
2. Using one of the moral principles, describe how Winterkorn may have justified his behavior in his mind?
Winterkorn may have misinterpreted that end does not justify the means moral principle (Fletcher 120). The C.E.O may have convinced himself that the software will help the company to achieve its goals and objectives within the set timeframe. The C.E.O was not worried about the use of evil or immoral means as long as the measures implemented could lead to positive results. The C.E.O was committed to ensuring that the Volkswagen Company becomes the world largest automaker.
3. Now, select a different moral principle. Describe how the situation would have been interpreted with a different moral principle and what behavior would be considered "ethical".
Follow what nature intends principle would have helped Volkswagen to avoid the violation of the law. The principle required the C.E.O to offer leadership and assist the company to respect the nature of things by avoiding using unlawful measures. The principle would ensure Volkswagen embraced fairness and honesty and also avoid instances of selfishness, deceit, and senseless cruelty.
Work cited
Fletcher, Joseph F. Situation ethics: The new morality. Westminster John Knox Press, 1966.
Hakim, Danny, Aaron Kessler, and Jack Ewing. "As Volkswagen Pushed to Be No. 1, Ambitions Fueled a Scandal - The New York Times." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 26 Sept. 2015. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.
