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, SUS1501 Assignments 2-8
Assignment two _Student example
The student got 65% for assignment two.
Do the Right Thing
Student name: XXXXXXXX
Student number: XXXXXXX
Step 1: Evaluate the act using Kant's categorical imperative.
1. State your proposed act as a maxim: I will take ZAR 620 000 000.00(A) when l've done a
year's work (C) in order to get really rich.
2. Restate the maxim as a universal law: "All people (7 billion of them) will take ZAR 620
000 000.00 when they're done a year's work in order to get really rich.
3. If all 7 billion people earn ZAR 620 000 000.00 annually, then the financial system needs
to have a minimum of R 4 340 000 000 000 000 000.00 to cater for everyone which is not
feasible as the financial system does not have enough resources to cater for everyone. This
would eventually lead to asset bubbles in the markets and the financial system will crash and
could result in a recession just like the one seen in 2008.
4. Ask whether you would act on your maxim in such a world.
Imagine that the world's money supply is unlimited. In this global economy for this maxim
to be conceivable, if everyone earns ZAR 620 000 000.00 annually, in order to be very rich.
It would pass Step 3. The problem with this is that it would mean that the global financial
system must be increased. For more money to enter the banking system it means that more
money must be printed. If more money is printed on a continuous basis, inflation is
eventually created and it can spiral out of control. Eventually goods will be more costly as
their prices rise meaning that the money will have less purchasing power with time and this
can lead to people having lots of money in bank accounts but little or no value. If a loaf of
bread rises to let’s say ZAR 100 000 000.00, that means that a year's salary will only be able
to buy 6 loaves of bread only in a year and this can indicate poverty since one cannot afford
to buy basics to survive. If people are poor due to inflation, eventually one would not be
satisfied with the ZAR 620 000 000.00 annual salary because that money would now be
worthless and this maxim would fail at Step 4. I would not act on the maxim if it meant that
,Students opinion.
What would Kant probably have said about Whitney Basson (or u) earning ZAR 620 000
000.00?
This maxim fails at Step 3 and mortality is not recognised at this stage. Perfect duty is what
Kant would use to describe step 3 so that one should avoid performing this maxim. Based on
the fact that it is an annual salary, Kant would consider it to be immoral. (http://
www.csu.s.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/ethics/kantian%20ethics Accessed: 2017 August,
14) According to the news report, Whitey Basson's total income totalled a sum of R627.6
million which included share options to the amount of R594.5 million. According to Kant, he
would support Basson's getting the amount he would receive since he worked hard for years
to receive this amount of money over decades. According to chairman, Wiese, Basson's share
options were generated over 40 years. It would be unfair to look at this amount of money as
a single year's worth of salary. Since Kant believed in rules, despite the consequences and
doing the right thing, he would say it is only fair for Basson to receive this amount of money
since he worked for it. It was not an overnight thing so he deserves to enjoy the fruits of his
labour. Wiese adds to say that Basson had rare business talent, a great team and the money
earned is testimony of that. If lazy people also earn the same amount, it would be injustice on
the part of the company to give Basson less than he deserves. Wiese continues and says that
he does not pay more than is required therefore Basson's hard work must be noted. (http://
www.moneyweb.co.za/archive/Whitey-is-sus-tap-earning-executive-again/ Accessed: 2017,
August 14)
What do you think about Whitey Basson (or you) earning ZAR 620 000 000.00? Why do
think so? I think that Whitey Basson deserves this salary. Originally I opted for option E in
assignment one because I thought that he might have had corrupt practices that led to such
a high salary. But after discovering that it was worth 40 years’ worth of work, I think that the
man deserves a reward for hard work. If everyone in the firm earns that amount then it
would not be right since they would have worked for only a year to receive such money. If
others say that such practices are immoral, then we would have failed to provide justice
where it is needed. Thieves get rich by robbing people of their money but if a man labours
for his wealth, sacrificing to build an empire that will create more jobs and be a part of
economic growth in the nation, then I do not see why he should not get the right amount of
money that he deserves to earn. Shoprite has now taken over Pick and Pay in terms of
market share so why shouldn't he enjoy the fruits of his efforts. If a thief walked into your
house and stop your furniture, you would report the matter to the police and have them
arrested. So why should the firm not give the man his dues. It would be daylight robbery. Yes
inequality is inequality and yes poverty around but that does not mean that a person should
not enjoy their money just because of poverty. If you got half your salary, let’s say half of
, Teaching assistant’s opinion and answer
Right, those were the mistakes. Let me get on to the debates:
Firstly, there wasn’t always very much of this! And this is sad and surprising. Why
surprising? Well, basically there were 2 opinions which students expressed about the R620
000 000. The first was that there was no problem with this. The second was that this was
totally unacceptable. These are polar opposites. And in many cases they were expressed right
next to each other. But just about no-one said: “Hey! I really don’t agree with what you said
and this is why…”
For future assignments, your teaching assistants and I are going to look for signs of debate
and we are going to find a couple of extra marks (up to a maximum of 10%) for students who
really engage.
And finally, since we are speaking of debates, I think it is only right that I tell you what I
think about the R 620 000 000.
NB - Before you read my opinion however, read this. I have read a number of comments on
various web pages that say that while we ask for your opinion what we really want is for you
to give us our opinion back. Nope - this is not what we really want. What we really want is for
you to give us your opinion. Whether it is the same as mine or that of your TA is immaterial.
The point is that whatever it is, it must be well defended. If it is well defended you will get the
marks. In fact the easiest way to get 100% for an assignment would be to convince your TA
that what they had always believed was in fact incorrect!
So here is what I think: The maxim would fail Kant’s test. Simply put, if everyone had R620
million, no-one would be rich because wealth is relative. If you don't believe me, I have a 50
billion Zim Dollar note lying around somewhere. The crazy number does not make me rich.
We can therefore presume Kant would have said that the maxim was wrong, and I agree with
Kant. In our society today it is not acceptable for a person to earn so much money - my
opinion. The arguments which were put forward by many of you who said this income was
justifiable included:
He is highly qualified – I’m more highly qualified and I can never aspire to earn this sort of
money;
