Learning Activity #1: Driving on the Internet Express
In an interesting video embedded here, the presenter, A.C. Markkula, Jr., a co-founder of Apple, takes the
position that access to the internet is a privilege and not a right. To curb some of the abuses and harmful
effects Markkula suggests (perhaps tongue in cheek or perhaps seriously?) a drivers’ license approach to
the internet. In essence to obtain and maintain your ability to use the internet you would have to go
through a process similar to obtaining and retaining your drivers’ license. What do you think of Markkula’s
idea and why in your opinion would this work or not work? What are some of the ethical implications of
such an approach?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-waD_EeJBo Learning Activity #2: Dewey’s Prescription for Success
Dewey Cheatham is the new Vice President of Marketing for a large online search engine company,
Pottstown Innovative Enterprises (AKA, PIE). Dewey has been doing some research into how he can
increase the Company’s revenues and thereby really impress the Company brass. During his research
he came across an article about Brazilian pharmacies looking for an advertising vehicle to tap into the
U.S. consumer market. Further research reveals that this could be a billion dollar venture and if PIE plays
its cards right, it could make a substantial amount of money given its extensive advertising network.
Dewey is super ecstatic about the possibilities and is salivating over what this could mean for his career
with PIE.
Before Dewey pulls the trigger on this, he decides to consult with his legal department. The legal
department tells Dewey the following:
1. The shipment of prescription drugs from pharmacies outside the United States to customers in
the United States may violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and in the case of controlled
prescription drugs, the Controlled Substances Act.
2.
The FDA cannot ensure the safety and effectiveness of foreign prescription drugs that are not
FDA-approved.
3.
Imported drugs typically do not meet FDA’s labeling requirements and may not have been
manufactured, stored and distributed under proper conditions; and may not have been dispensed in
accordance with a valid prescription.
4.
The government has historically been very lax in enforcing the laws in this area and legally there
are a few gray areas; therefore the risk of any prosecution may not be significant.
After the consultation with Legal, Dewey is confused as to what his decision should be. If you were
advising Dewey on the ethical implications presented by this case, what would you say to him?
Specifically, what ethical problems and issues do you see? REFERENCES
http://www.universalmoralcode.com/
http://rintintin.colorado.edu/~vancecd/phil1100/relativism.pdf
https://assets.aspeninstitute.org/content/uploads/files/content/docs/bsp/BSPDevelopingLeadersarticle.
pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/ethics http://www.ibe.org.uk/userassets/publicationdownloads/ibe_occasional_paper_1_ethics_in_the_provisi
on_and_use_of_it_for_business.pdf
