Choose a company or product that you patronize or purchase regularly. Explain how are the workers involved treated? If it makes use of animals or animal products, how are they treated?

The Assignment:

For this assignment, choose a company or product that you patronize or purchase regularly.

Do some research into this company or product, through the lens of consumer ethics. How are the workers involved treated? If it makes use of animals or animal products, how are they treated? Are there environmental impacts to be considered? If a company, does it affiliate itself with political causes that you agree or disagree with? Does the company or its CEOs contribute money to causes or organizations that you agree or disagree with? Are there other factors that make you favor or disfavor this company or product, from a consumer ethics perspective?

Part I – Explain the results of your research. Did you learn information about the company that surprised you?

Part II – Given what you’ve learned, do you believe you have a moral responsibility to change your purchasing behavior with regard to this company or product? Explain why, appealing to at least one moral theory we have studied in this course. Be sure to back up your statements with moral principles and arguments.

Part III – Construct a counterargument to your view. Using the principle of charity, explain why someone would disagree with your argument in Part II.