Question

In share economy there are ethical challenges to be considered. List one challenge and apply deontology or teleology to explain how these might be overcome.

Answer 1

Answer: In the sharing economy, there are ethical challenge like if we take the example of Uber technologies, its share taxi services put the livelihood of traditional cab drivers in jeopardy and those drivers were left with no other option but to come under the umbrella of the monopoly of Uber and other such companies. Uber took away their right to be the owner of their own set of business, which as an independent cab owner driver they had.

Let us apply the teleology approach to solve this moral question. In the teleological approach decision about the morality of the act is based on the outcome. If the behavior or action brings in the greatest good for the greatest number then the act can be considered as ethical. Therefore, the ethical dilemma in the case of Uber or a sharing economy can be solved if the actions of the sharing economy bring in greater good for a greater number of people. For example, if Uber is able to generate more employment and created more livelihood options for a large number of people then the act of Uber will be considered as ethical. Uber has been able to create new jobs because many people who would have opted to commute in their own car they prefer to travel in a shared taxi because of convenience and cost. This also reduces carbon emissions. Therefore, if the act is having many benefits than the issues it created, still the act will be considered as ethical. Therefore, Organizations operating in the sharing economy should focus on creating greater good for a greater number of people in order to be considered as ethical in their actions.