Volkswagen Fined $1.17 billion in Germany for Emissions-Cheating Scam Many companies have been hurt by their leaders’ inability to show goodwill and integrity. This paper examines Volkswagen’s $1.17 Billion fine in Germany in Emissions-Cheating Scandal. The Wall Street Journal article focuses on utilitarianism and deontology.

If you look at it from a deontological perspective, Volkswagen lying about the environmental tests and cheating is wrong. This is morally wrong. Immanuel Kant defined morality to be the obligation of each individual to do right. He says that an act is moral if it’s done in accordance with the categorical imperative. This is also known by moral law. Volkswagen is violating the moral law by cheating. An investigation revealed that Volkswagen’s engine-development division failed to supervise the manipulation of diesel vehicles. The manipulation was intended to fool regulators all over the world. Deontology states that the engineers involved in the case of the manipulation of 10.7 million diesel vehicles to fool regulators worldwide should have made it clear. Deontology demands that companies and individuals adhere to universal laws to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone. The Volkswagen engineers are honest and could save the world from some damage. This is something that many would agree with.

Kant believed that any person or company should behave in a way that can be interpreted as a universal rule. Volkswagen is a global organisation so the need for unconditional ethics can pose a problem as they must deal with competitors, suppliers and customers from very different cultures. The greatest benefit to humanity is seen through the utilitarian lens.

The engineers will always tell the truth while keeping in view the benefits to the planet. A healthier, happier planet would result in cleaner air. The best thing for everyone would be to stop cheating devices being made early. This system doesn’t allow engineers to be focused on their own work. Without protest, they could lose their jobs or get sued by the company.

The utilitarian principle may not be the best argument. Business can be influenced by utilitarianism, which encourages a bottom-line mentality that focuses on the best interests of the company. The organization’s greatest benefit is defined as the amount of people who are directly affected by its actions. Volkswagen, in this instance, did not decide to achieve the greatest benefit for the organization. Volkswagen’s balance sheet of 26 billion was used to pay for the diesel scandal. “It also prompted other criminal investigations as well as civil complaints which many are still hanging over Volkswagen.”