Manipulative Advertisements: The Dark Side Of Marketing Essay.

a.Clearly define your specific ethical question.

Should the advertising companies be allowed to use manipulative advertising?
b.Provide a brief background discussion of your chosen ethical question that explains why it is important and in need of analysis.
c.Identify and fully reference facts relevant to the analysis of your ethical question.
d.Identify 2assumptions which you are required to make to fill gaps in publically available information relevant to your ethical problem
e.Analyse the ethical question using act utilitarianism.
f.Provide an ethical conclusion.
 

Negative effects of manipulative advertisements

b) As stated by Rozendaal, Buijs and Reijmersdal  (2016) Inherently an advertisement is not bad but various manipulative tactics are used by advertisement agencies to influence the consumers in a way which they do not realize. No matter how much the advertisements are ignored or how insignificant they are in relation to a consumer’s life they affect the consumers in some way or the other. A person is subjected to advertisements everyday whether on a web page, television or newspapers. The person may ignore them by stating that "they're just ads" and at worst they provide a feeling of interruption or nuisance. Difficulties may be faced by a lot of people in relation to accepting the facts that advertisements are manipulative as they believe that they have complete control over the choices made by them.

However there are significant negative effects which can be the outcome of manipulative advertisements. For instance they often induce a person to purchase a specific goods or service which is not required by him or her. This situation may have a considerable negative effect on an average person who is not rich and has a limited amount of spending. This also leads to significant amount of borrowing which creates an undue pressure on the individuals to pay them off (Just 2017). Thus in the light of the present situation it is of considerable importance to analyze the ethical question in context. In the light of ethical theories such as utilitarianism and deontology the questions which arises are that

Boundaries in relation to who can be considered as an expert are pushed by manipulative advertisements. As stated by Moriarty et al. (2014)a commercial which features an actor who acts as a physician on television representing medication it is a form of manipulative advertisement. The opinion provided by the actor is trusted by the consumer because of the actors’ fame. The danger which arises in this situation is that the actor, who is most probably not an expert and has little if any knowledge in relation to advertisements have provided a misleading information.  In a recent Australia case a company has been fined $2.5m in relation to misleading and manipulative advertisements.

The advertisements agencies always utilize the desire if consumers to be associated with someone who is attractive. The attractiveness between product marketing and attractiveness is showing a car with an attractive woman to enhance its sale.

Boundaries pushed by manipulative advertisements

An advertisements made by Calvin Klein which features a shirtless man with two attractive women has been termed outrageously unethical by the The Conversation (2018). The advertisement states that “Hahah a light threesome never hurt anyone.”

It has been stated by Wang, Liaukonyte and Kaiser  (2018)that the amount of food advertisement is increasing in Australia and its manipulative nature is causing people to overeat and thus result in obesity. According to the statistics provided by National Eating Disorders and Obesity (2018) more than half the adult population in Australia has a weight which may pose serious health issues.

Another way in which manipulative advertisements are made and cause significant detriments to the consumers are in form of Puffery. A puffery is in a statement which is made to induce consumers through exaggerating about the facts of a situation and is not binding legally. It has been stated by Amyx and Lumpkin (2016)that this is the major problem which is experienced by consumers.

Hidden price is also a significant issue which is faced in relation to manipulative advertisements. As stated by Fueroghne (2017)considerable problems are faced by consumers in relation to double price advertisements. The consumers are shown a different price and charged a different price for the products.

Assumptions which are made by the agencies which indulge in manipulative advertisements include the facts that such actions are not illegal in nature and it is up to the consumers to make a choice of whether they are willing to procure a particular good or service or not.

Another assumption which is required to be made in the given situation is that manipulative advertisements are a way of enhancing the profits off an organization and are totally in compliance with the narrow view of CSR. 

The focus of the theory of utilitarianism is in relation to forecasting of negative (net utility fall) and positive (net utility rise) consequences of an action. The act is ethical if it triggers rise in net utility (Mill 2016).

A manipulative advertisement enhances the sale of the products which are being advertised and as a result the companies are able to make more profit.

1. The situation ensures that the advertisement agencies are also able to make profit
2. There is a rise in the advertising sector and employees of such organizations are benefited

1. The consumers are subjected to significant consumers and there is a chance of them being mislead and deceived through such advertisements.
2. The consumers are led to purpose products they do not need and do not have the financial capacity to purchase which leads to increase in their debts
3. The actions also make consumers suffer detriment as they may consider the content of the advertisement to be true which may eventually turn out to be false and a mere puff.

It is not provided through the theory of utilitarianism the elements of equity or justice have to be addressed in order to analyze whether a situation is ethical or not. It only has to be provided that the action promotes the good of maximum situation.

Increase in food advertisements leading to obesity

In the given situation through the analysis of the positive and negative outcomes of the situation it can be stated that manipulative advertisements are not ethical in nature. This is because the consumers are much more in number as compared to the advertising agencies and then product sellers. Where the situation is harming the interest of the consumers who are the majority it cannot be ethical under utilitarianism

References

Amyx, D.A. and Lumpkin, J.R., 2016. Interaction Effect of Ad Puffery and Ad Skepticism on Consumer Persuasion. Journal of Promotion Management, 22(3), pp.403-424.

Fueroghne, D.K., 2017. Law & Advertising: A Guide to Current Legal Issues. Rowman & Littlefield.

Just, M.R., 2017. Democracy and Political Advertising. Routledge Handbook of Political Advertising, p.405.

Mill, J.S., 2016. Utilitarianism. In Seven Masterpieces of Philosophy (pp. 337-383). Routledge.

Moriarty, S., Mitchell, N.D., Wells, W.D., Crawford, R., Brennan, L. and Spence-Stone, R., 2014. Advertising: Principles and practice. Pearson Australia.

National Eating Disorders and Obesity. (2018). Australia's Obesity Statistics in 2017 - National Eating Disorders and Obesity. [online] Available at: https://eatingdisordersaustralia.org.au/australias-obesity-statistics-2017/ [Accessed 14 Apr. 2018].

Percy, L. and Elliott, R.H., 2016. Strategic advertising management. Oxford University Press.

Rozendaal, E., Buijs, L. and Reijmersdal, E.A.V., 2016. Strengthening Children’s Advertising Defenses: The Effects of Forewarning of Commercial and Manipulative Intent. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p.1186.

The Conversation. (2018). Calvin Klein's new sexting ads are not only unethical, they may not even be effective. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/calvin-kleins-new-sexting-ads-are-not-only-unethical-they-may-not-even-be-effective-45676 [Accessed 14 Apr. 2018].

Wang, R., Liaukonyte, J. and Kaiser, H.M., 2018. Does Advertising Content Matter? Impacts of Healthy Eating and Anti-Obesity Advertising on Willingness to Pay by Consumer Body Mass Index. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, pp.1-31.

Ethical question

Should the advertising companies be allowed to use manipulative advertising?

The three virtues which are relevant to the specific ethical questions are

1. Honesty – this is the state of being truthful and sincere and not indulging in cheating or deceit.
2. Justice-  this is a state of being impartial, fair and providing a deserved response
3. Accountability- this is the state or quality of being held accountable or responsible (Elliot 2016).In relation to honesty it can be evidently stated that the adverting agency or the sellers who indulge in manipulative advertisements do not act according to the virtue of honesty. Honesty is the state of being truthful and sincere and not indulging in cheating or deceit but through manipulative advertisements these agencies and sellers are providing false and untrue statements and thus deceiving the consumers. For instance through the use of puffery they induce consumers through exaggerating about the facts of a situation to purchase the goods or services.

In relation to justice according to which one must be impartial, fair and provide a deserved response it can be stated that there is nothing wrong in relation to the actions of the agencies and the seller. They are not acting against legal provisions and if they do so they are punished legally by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Where the situation is addressed impartially it can be stated that the assumption that consumers have the right to make their own chose is correct.

In relation to accountability it can be stated that the sellers and advertising agencies are not at all accountable for their actions. They do not acknowledge the responsibility when any person suffer losses or injuries by falling in their manipulative advertisement trap. 

Puffery and hidden price in manipulative advertising

The specific rule which provides authority in relation to manipulative advertisements is that provided through the Australian consumer law. An advertisement has no legal issues if it is not a bait advertisement and if it is not deceptive and misleading in nature. This means that if a person having reasonable knowledge if believes such advertisement to be deceptive and misleading in nature then only can only such advertisements are prohibited (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 2018).

The general rule in relation to the ethical question in context is that an act cannot be prohibited if it is not contrary to law. Every human has been provided rights in the society and so have been the sellers and the advertising agencies. They have the right to indulge in any form of actions unless such actions are prohibited by law. Thus in the given situation the general rule authorizes manipulative advertisements.

Yes the general is the given situation is inherently self-contradictory. This is because the general rule is to provide protection to the people in the society as well as giving rights to them to make profit. It is clear in the given situation that even where manipulative advertisements are legal they have the potential of harming the consumer and thus this situation makes the rule inherently self-contradictory (Ives 2018).

Yes the general rule violates the moral rules which have been provided by Kant. According to the practical imperative provided by Kant a person has of treat humans as an end themselves rather than means of achieving ends. However it is clear that the general rules states that humans can be used as a means of achieving an end to an extent it is done lawfully (Bowie 2017). This means that if a person is lawfully used for achieving an end it is not wrong. However the practical imperative provided by Kant does not support such rule.

Yes the general rule is contrary to its fundamental purpose. This is because the general rules is to provide protection to those in the society who are vulnerable to exploitation of the powerful form being exploited. However, by giving rights to the powerful to exploit people make the rule contradictory to its fundamental purpose (Ives 2018).

No the act is not ethical in relation to the Kant’s ethical system. The  ethical system provided by Kant states that a person has of treat humans as an end themselves rather than means of achieving ends, However it is clear that the general rules states that humans can be used as a means of achieving an end to an extent it is done lawfully (Kant  2014) . In addition a person has to act in accordance to his duties which he sees as the duty applicable on the whole world and such duty does not make it reasonable to allow every person to indulge in manipulation.

Assumptions made by advertising agencies

From the above analysis in relation to utilitarianism it has can be stated that manipulative advertisements are not ethical in nature. This is because the consumers are much more in number as compared to the advertising agencies and then product sellers. Where the situation is harming the interest of the consumers who are the majority it cannot be ethical under utilitarianism. On the other hand in relation to Kant’s theory the act is unethical because here humans can be used as a means of achieving an end to an extent it is done lawfully. In relation to virtue ethics the act is not reasonable because it does not comply with two of the three virtues of Accountability and Honesty and is only in compliance with the virtue of justice (Smith 2017).

References

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. (2018). Misleading claims & advertising. [online] Available at: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/misleading-claims-advertising [Accessed 14 Apr. 2018].

Bowie, N.E., 2017. Business ethics: A Kantian perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Elliot, D., 2016. The Turn to Classification in Virtue Ethics: A Review Essay.

Ives, A.L., 2018. Frederick Douglass’s Reform Textualism: An Alternative Jurisprudence Consistent with the Fundamental Purpose of Law. The Journal of Politics, 80(1), pp.88-102.

Kant, I., 2014. What does it mean to orient oneself in thinking?. Daniel Fidel Ferrer, Verlag..

Kant, I., 2017. Kant: The metaphysics of morals. Cambridge University Press.

Smith, R.S., 2017. Virtue ethics and moral knowledge: philosophy of language after MacIntyre and Hauerwas. Routledge.

Van Hooft, S., 2014. Understanding virtue ethics. Routledge.

Natural resources are the significant part of the environment. However due to the extensive use of natural resources both renewable and non-renewable resources are being subjected to scarcity. The rate at which these resources are being used is so extensive that they are not getting adequate time to replenish themselves. In the light of resource scarcity modern day businesses are continuing to use natural renewable and non-renewable resources for the purpose of gaining profit. It has been argued by Cherp  et al. (2016) that if resources continue to be used as such an extensive rate by the present population then there would be nothing left for the coming generations. The provisions which are applicable on the use of such resources by businesses signify that as long as the businesses are paying for the resources they can utilise them to as much extent does they want. For instance use of fossil fuels for the purpose of making Petroleum is practically unrestricted to an extent that a business is able to pay for them. Drinking water is being used for industrial purpose in spite of contrary rules which is not giving it adequate time to replenish itself. Other forms of resources such as minerals are being so extensively mined by the businesses to gain profits that their reserves are getting empty at a very rapid rate. The extensive use of non renewable resources such as fossil fules also leads to climate change. For instance the use of fossil fuels leads to emission of green house gases which cause global warming.  Extensive mining results in underground fire which subsequently leads to earthquakes. Extensive deforestations leads to the loss of habitats, landslides forest fires and global warming. Thus extensive use of resources and the subsequently created resource scarcity has become one of the most significant environmental global sustainability issues (Harper, Harper and Snowden 2017).

Utilitarianism and analysis of net utility

The situation of resource scarcity is giving rise to significant conflicts in the society. One of the most critical challenges which the world is facing, is in relation to the management of land and natural resources. The rate at which high value natural resources including minerals, gas, timber and oil are being exploited has often lead to escalating, sustaining and triggering violent conflicts around the world (Bretthauer 2015). In addition as the competition over reducing renewable resources like water and land is rising it is also leading to unwanted conflicts around the world. New conflicts are being created by the miss management of natural and land resources and it is also restricting the peaceful addressing of the existing conflicts. The situation of resource scarcity means that the supply of resources like oil, forest water and land is not adequate for the purpose of meeting the contemporary demand (Prediger, Vollan and Herrmann 2014). The scarcity of natural resources which is required to sustain livelihood enhances competition between groups. In relation to such rising competition there is a social response was included technological innovations, violent conflict, corporations and migration. A few critical drivers of the social conflict in relation to resources include processes governing the access policy, Institutions management and ownership of natural resources. Resource scarcity in many cases also results in structural scarcity along with problems of political exclusion, unequal distribution of benefits and corruption. When people are not able to gain access to the resources which are necessary for survival there is inherent social conflict created in the society which leads to significant social problems. One of such major problem is that of corruption. In the light of resource scarcity large multinational organisations indulge in significant corruption activities to gain access to such resources specifically in the developing countries. Therefore one of the most critical social elements of resource scarcity is that of social conflicts which take place because of unavailability of resources (Lonergan 2018).

It has been argued by Pomeroy et al. (2016) that there is a limit in relation to the capacity of earth towards supporting economic growth is because of the scarcity of its resources. The concept of scarcity directly does not mean that there is a limit imposed on the capacity of earth towards supporting economic growth. It is also not adequate condition for intervention of government in the natural resources market (Bergstrom and Randall 2016). However in situation where the scarcity is absolute and the sustainability of manmade capital in relation to natural resources is not possible, scientifically economic growth being achieved without government or authority intervention also does not seem to be possible. Where the supply of a particular commodity decreases the demand for it automatically increases according to the concept of economics. In the same way as a supply of natural resources is decreasing due to resource scarcity the demand for such resources is going high and subsequently the price paid by the consumer is also becoming high. These resources are required by the organisations for the purpose of continuing their business operations (Griffin 2016). Therefore they can go to any limit for the purpose of achieving such resources. Unprecedented population growth has been witnessed by the world in the last two centuries along with Economic well being. The growth has also led to extensive consumption of natural resources. The exception of growth which has been witnessed by the world is a major cause of increasing resource scarcity (Tietenberg  and Lewis 2016).

Ethical question: Should manipulative advertising be allowed?

The two major ethical problems which have been witnessed in relation to the global sustainability issue of unlimited use of resources by business are as follows

1. If resources continue to be used as such an extensive rate by the present population then there would be nothing left for the coming generations. If we utilize all of the resources which are present on earth it would cause significant difficulties to the coming generations as they would not be able to have access to the resources.
2. If resources continue to be used as such an extensive rate by the businesses social conflicts are bound to happen which would lead to social problems such as war and migration. This may also lead to increase in social evils like corruption in the society. In the light of resource scarcity large multinational organisations indulge in significant corruption activities to gain access to such resources specifically in the developing countries.

The theory of utilitarianism states that that if the action in context provides an outcome or a consequence which is for the benefit of the maximum people involved in the situation it can be identified as an ethical action. In the same way where the action in context provides an outcome or a consequence which is for the benefit of the minority people involved in the situation than it is not an ethical action. The theory works on the assumption that to the extent the outcome is beneficial the means of achieving an end is justified. In the given situation it is provided that if resources continue to be used as such an extensive rate by the present population then there would be nothing left for the coming generations. This means that the outcomes of the actions are only beneficial to the businesses who are utilizing the resources and not the population as a whole or the coming population. Thus as per the theory of utilitarianism the action is unethical. In addition it has been analyzed that if resources continue to be used as such an extensive rate by the businesses social conflicts are bound to occur which would lead to social problems such as war and migration. It is evident that such situation of conflict is not beneficial for the society as a whole. Thus the actions are further unethical in the light of utilitarianism.

Deontology theory of ethics which has been set out by Kant states that a person has of treat humans as an end themselves rather than means of achieving ends. In addition the theory provides that an action would be held as ethical of it is rightly analyzed that if everyone indulges in the same actions than it would be considered a good practice by a reasonable person. One must adhere to his or her duties irrespective of the consequences or results of the actions. In the given situation it would not be correct for everyone to exploit the scarce resources and thus the actions are not ethical as per the Kantian analysis as well.

There are various opportunities and threats which the business are subjected to in relation to extensive use of resources where resource scarcity is prevalent.  These are as follows:

Relevant virtues and rules

Threats

• Use of resources where resource scarcity is prevalent would lead to security issues where there is a chance that such resources may be totally unavailable for use in the future due to getting depleted.
• Due to resource scarcity the economic growth will be hampered which would have a negative impact in the businesses
• Due to rise in conflict situation it would not result in a safe environment for businesses to operate.

• The use of resources which in the light of resource scarcity will increase the price of the services and goods provided by the business and thus this would have a positive impact on their profit
• History has witnessed that whenever mankind has been subjected to such problems they have come up with innovative solutions to address them. Thus innovations would be on the rise in the light of resource scarcity. 

8. Conclusion

Both renewable and non renewable natural resources are limited on earth. Renewable resources also require adequate time and opportunity to replenish themselves or they may also get depleted. Natural resources are the significant part of the environment. However due to the extensive use of natural resources both renewable and non-renewable resources are being subjected to scarcity. The rate at which these resources are being used is so extensive that they are not getting adequate time to replenish themselves. In the light of resource scarcity modern day businesses are continuing to use natural renewable and non-renewable resources for the purpose of gaining profit.  There are various financial, technological and behavioral barriers in relation to addressing the global sustainability issue of resource scarcity (Schneider et al. 2014). These issues need to be adequately addressed for the purpose of enhancing the present situation. The financial barriers in relation to the issue include the high cost of technology which is required or the purpose of ensuring efficient production in businesses. With the efficient use of resources the problem of extensive use and resources scarcity can be effectively addressed. In the given situation the consumers needs to be made aware of the situation so that they only get associated with those businesses who are indulging in efficient use of resources. In relation to the technological barriers there are several options which are available to the businesses for the purpose of indulging in efficient use of resources (Rees  2017). These options include the use of sophisticated machinery for the purpose of production. However as discussed above there are economical barriers which are associated with the used of technological advancements. These issues may only be addressed when the business act according to legal principles and reduce their profit margins for the betterment of the society. This recommendation is also supported by the broad view of Corporate Social Responsibility which provided that the aim of businesses should not be limited to only making profits. The behavioral barrier in relation to the issue of resource scarcity includes the situation of consumers being associated to businesses who provide goods and services at a lower price at the cost or resource depletion. This barrier is one of the most significant situations which is degrading the issue of resource scarcity. In the given situation the barrier may be addressed by imposing extensive regulations on such unethical business practices and raising awareness among the consumers to get associated with those businesses which operate ethically.

References

Bergstrom, J.C. and Randall, A., 2016. Resource economics: an economic approach to natural resource and environmental policy. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Bretthauer, J.M., 2015. Conditions for peace and conflict: applying a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to cases of resource scarcity. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 59(4), pp.593-616.

Cherp, A., Jewell, J., Vinichenko, V., Bauer, N. and De Cian, E., 2016. Global energy security under different climate policies, GDP growth rates and fossil resource availabilities. Climatic change, 136(1), pp.83-94.

Griffin, R.C., 2016. Water resource economics: The analysis of scarcity, policies, and projects. MIT Press.

Harper, C., Harper, C.L. and Snowden, M., 2017. Environment and society: Human perspectives on environmental issues. Routledge.

Lonergan, S.C., 2018. Water and conflict: Rhetoric and reality. In Environmental conflict (pp. 109-124). Routledge.

Pomeroy, R., Parks, J., Mrakovcich, K.L. and LaMonica, C., 2016. Drivers and impacts of fisheries scarcity, competition, and conflict on maritime security. Marine Policy, 67, pp.94-104.

Prediger, S., Vollan, B. and Herrmann, B., 2014. Resource scarcity and antisocial behavior. Journal of Public Economics, 119, pp.1-9.

Rees, J., 2017. Natural resources: allocation, economics and policy. Routledge.

Schneider, L., Berger, M., Schüler-Hainsch, E., Knöfel, S., Ruhland, K., Mosig, J., Bach, V. and Finkbeiner, M., 2014. The economic resource scarcity potential (ESP) for evaluating resource use based on life cycle assessment. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 19(3), pp.601-610.

Tietenberg, T.H. and Lewis, L., 2016. Environmental and natural resource economics. Routledge.