Samantha Allred
ENMA 480
Case Study The Golden Rule is a moral principle that suggests treating others the way you would like to be treated. This principle is often used as a guideline for ethical behavior in multiple situations. The Golden Rule suggests that engineers and corporations should consider the well-being and satisfaction of
customers in the design and marketing of products; meaning, creating products that are safe, reliable, and meet the expectations of customers. It encourages a focus on quality, honesty, and transparency. Engineers should design products that they would also feel comfortable using and that meet ethical standards. In marketing, providing accurate information and avoiding deceptive strategies aligns with the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule suggests that customers should be treated with respect and consideration. In the context of crash-test information for automobiles, it implies that such information should be made available to customers. Disclosing potentially harmful side effects is a way of treating customers as one would like to be treated, by providing them with essential information to make informed decisions about their safety. Transparency about potential risks aligns with ethical principles and allows customers to make choices that prioritize their safety.
The Golden Rule exists in both positive and negative forms. The positive form encourages treating others as one would like to be treated, promoting actions that contribute positively to the well-being of others. The negative form advises against treating others in ways that one would not like
to be treated. Whether the negative or positive version is more relevant may depend on the situation. However, both versions align with ethical behavior. The positive form encourages proactively considering the needs and preferences of customers, while the negative form emphasizes avoiding actions that could be harmful or deceptive. Both versions can guide engineers and corporations in ethical decision-making. However, after research, the negative form of The Golden Rule proves to be more effective than the positive form.
