Ford Pinto: Measuring Safety

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Handling the Decision-making process
Determination of Intrinsic and Instrumental Value of Human Life
Measuring my Worth
Stakeholder Suffering
My Contribution to Society
Benefit to Society
Resolution to Issues Pertaining to Human Worth for Businesses
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

People live in a world that is full of hazards, which may cause injuries and fatalities in extreme cases. This state of affairs has raised the need to place value on a human being. Human society possesses inadequate facilities and resources to cater to human safety and health at any given time. For instance, in the motor vehicle industry, it is true that some expensive cars are safer to drive than the less expensive ones. Therefore, affordability becomes a key question for buyers. This situation forces people to purchase cars for mobility and convenience while neglecting the risk that cheap cars have on their lives. This essay uses the case of Ford Pinto to provide an insight into the worth of human life.

Handling the Decision-making process

From the outset, the Ford Motor Company failed to make a sound judgment pertaining to redesigning the fuel system of the Pinto car model. A human being is invaluable. Hence, the company should not have maintained the design of the car just to maximize profits at the stake of people’s lives. The company should have made a better decision by redesigning the said fuel system and/or offer the car at a relatively higher price.

Determination of Intrinsic and Instrumental Value of Human Life

The intrinsic value of human life is immeasurable because it is based on inherent characteristics that guide our ethical behavior (Crossan, Mazutis, & Seijts, 2013). For this reason, different people possess varying intrinsic values such as happiness, morality, and preferences, among other values. Therefore, the intrinsic values of human beings depend on ethical aspects that are acceptable within their societies. On the other hand, instrumental life is measured based on human attachments to natural resources. Human beings gain instrumental value through the acquisition of items of value.

Measuring my Worth

I can measure my worth by considering both intrinsic and instrumental values that I have gained from childhood to the present. By measuring my intrinsic value, I consider inherent aspects such as honesty, integrity, and a sense of humanity (Brannon, 2004).

Stakeholder Suffering

My loss might ultimately affect people who have contributed to my instrumental value. For instance, my parents and siblings can suffer a big loss owing to the efforts they have sacrificed to invest in my education. The vanishing of my ideas and knowledge can cost the partnerships I have established with my friends.

My Contribution to Society

First, the education that has accrued to my profession has enabled me to make a substantial impact on the development of my society. Secondly, accrued leadership skills have enhanced my duty to mobilize the youth to campaign against drug and substance abuse. Therefore, my demise can deprive society of such contributions.

Benefit to Society

My survival will provide more life insights to enhance my profession. Enhancement of careers implies further development of society. For instance, my advocacy for curtailing drug and substance abuse will heighten as I strive to reach more youths both locally and nationally.

Resolution to Issues Pertaining to Human Worth for Businesses

Businesses should desist from demeaning the value of human existence whilst formulating decisions to maximize profitability. Alternatively, they should apply rational decision-making strategies such as the placement of a dollar value on a statistical life (VSL approach) that incorporates the safety and health of human beings prior to fashioning compensation procedures and other measures that apply after damage or losses (Hartman, DesJardins, & McDonald, 2013).

Conclusion

Although many methods and means to ensure human safety exist, issues such as their expensive nature and human ignorance place people at a high risk of injury and fatality. Therefore, organizations need to awaken and foster human lives by placing the value of human lives above their business interests.

Reference List

Brannon, I. (2004). What Is a Life Worth? Web.

Crossan, M., Mazutis, D., & Seijts, G. (2013). In Search of Virtue: The Role of Virtues, Values and Character Strengths in Ethical Decision Making. Journal of Business Ethics, 113(4), 567-81.

Hartman, L., DesJardins, J., & McDonald, C. (2013). Business Ethics: Decision Making for Personal Integrity & Social Responsibility. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

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