Is Volkswagen's use of the defeat device to decrease emissions ethical?

1. Volkswagen Emissions
By: Bethany Nelson

2. Situation
 VW admitted to intentionally cheating on federal
emissions tests by using illegal software.
 Last month, Jones Day was created to investigate the
illegal software used and determine who is at fault for
the scandal.
 As a result of the investigation, many employees have
been suspended.

3. Facts
 The scandal has severely harmed VW’s reputation as an environmentally
friendly company.
 The poorly tested vehicles have made them rather hard to sell for those
customers wishing to resell their diesel VW.
 VW is not willing to buyback as they are mainly focused on EPA regulations,
currently.
 Utilitarianists Perspective: Using software to benefit VW, is worse for
consumers and the entire public, and laying off several employees is not
benefiting the majority either.
 Kant’s Perspective: VW’s goal was to sell more vehicles, but there intent with
using the software was to manipulate their customers.
 Aristotle’s Perspective: The virtue ethics of VW, as a business, are very
flawed.

4. Questions
 Is VW ethically correct in suspending the majority of its employees,
even though most were not a part of the scandal? Are they
morally correct?
 Do you think that the level an employee is within the business
should be a factor in their determining if they are innocent in the
scandal? Why or why not?
 How do you think the EPA allowed for faulty emissions tests in
over 11 million vehicles?
 Do you think VW would have continued selling vehicles with the
defeat device in place had they not been caught? Why or why
not?
 If you were an employee that got suspended, would you return to
work for VW after your suspension is lifted? Why or why not?

5. Sources
 http://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-widens-
suspensions-in-emissions-scandal-1445791586
 http://www.npr.org/2015/10/26/450238773/emissions-
scandal-is-hurting-vw-owners-trying-to-resell