Essay Quiz


1		Manufacturers of children's toys and games flood children's TV programs with ads for their products. The target population for these ads are the individuals who have the power to purchase these toys and games, and that, for the most part, are the parents. It is true, of course, that older children may have their own money and can buy these products for themselves. But where the parents are the target, aren't the advertisers using the children simply as a means to get to them? Does that violate the Kantian injunction never to use anyone as a mere means? The advertisers might argue that even when they try to get to the parents through the children, they are at the same time offering the children pleasurable experiences with these toys and games, and, as long as they are not taking advantage of their fears or anxieties, they are not really using them just as a means. Besides, they might add, the children really are the only market they have, and how else can they get that market to purchase their products? Would you find their arguments convincing?



2		Suppose a customer is excited about owning the make and model of a car he or she desperately wants and is already determined to purchase that vehicle from the dealership he or she has just walked into. Would it be correct to say that this customer's enthusiasm has made him or her vulnerable, has diminished his or her autonomy? If a salesperson, correctly sensing this person's obvious exuberance, were to capitalize on it and try to sell him or her an extended warranty or theft protection, or fancy wheels, or other add-ons, would the salesperson be taking unfair advantage of this customer? Would you accept Arrington's claim that the desire for this car is pre-existing and independent, and as long as the salesperson doesn't prevent the customer from renouncing it, the customer is still acting autonomously?



3		You are offered a high-paying position in the marketing department of a tobacco company. Your first assignment would be to design an advertising campaign that will influence the citizens of foreign countries, especially their teenagers, to buy and smoke the company's cigarettes. You firmly believe the evidence that smoking cigarettes can lead to life-threatening diseases. Would you accept the position and agree to design the ad program anyway? If so, how would you justify your decision?

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