Wal-Mart

The Reasons Why Wal-Mart is Bad

When a person thinks of the name Wal-Mart, the first thought that rushes into their head is the thought of extremely low prices. These low prices are great for the end user, the consumer. However, if everyone knew about Wal-Mart’s means to their end, they would not think so highly of Wal-Mart any more. Wal-Mart pushes around its suppliers until the supplier can do nothing but give in, or accept defeat and file for bankruptcy. This kind of business practice goes against any kind of ethics that may be out in the world today. Wal-Mart may do some good for this country’s economy, but the harm it causes outweighs any good by far. The way Wal-Mart conducts its business with its suppliers is morally wrong because they treat their suppliers as a means to an end.

The main ethical theory that Wal-Mart violates the most is Kantian Ethics in the Humanity Form. This type of Kantian ethics is all about means and ends. In the 18th century, a German philosopher named Immanuel Kant developed the Categorical Imperative. In the categorical imperative, there are Hypothetical Imperatives and Moral Imperatives. The Hypothetical Imperatives state that if you want something, then you have to do this to achieve it. Kant says these hypothetical imperatives are wrong. Kant believes in the Moral Imperatives. These moral imperatives say if you want something, then you OUGHT to do this to achieve it. There are 3 types Moral Imperatives, the Universal law, Treat Humans as Ends in Themselves, and Act as if you live in a Kingdom of Ends. The one that this paper will focus on is treating humans as ends in themselves. Kant says that people should never treat other people as means to an end. By doing this it helps promote equality. With this equality, moral goodness comes too. Kant believes that moral goodness is brought about when people to the right things for the right reasons. By doing this, it gives humans moral value. According to Kant, humans are the only...