It requires you to
demonstrate first and foremost your in-depth, critical understanding of course
material (Social Contract Theory, Justice and Economic Distribution, the Ethics
of Economic Systems, and the Social Responsibility of Business). Utilise specific, relevant and
clearly explained frameworks, concepts and theories with examples.
You are required to illustrate your discussion with examples
from Inside Job, as appropriate. your answer should not be a
statement of your own moral judgement merely.
Question:
“Why should a financial engineer be paid four times to 100
times more than a real engineer? A real engineer build[s] bridges. A financial
engineer build[s] dreams. And, you know, when those dreams turn out to be
nightmares, other people pay for it.
Andrew Sheng, in Inside Job.
Drawing on relevant theories and concepts from the second
half of the course, and examples from Inside Job, critically discuss (a)
moral reasons why it might be held ethically acceptable or objectionable for a
“financial engineer” to be paid 100 times more than a “real engineer,” nurse,
or teacher and (b) moral limits on what people may acquire and how they earn
money.
Word 1500 limit.
Guidelines for writing
It has an introduction and a
conclusion. Your essay should have a strong argument or thesis which is clearly
stated, developed, supported and critically examined in a sustained manner
throughout the essay. Paragraphs should be linked so that your principal
argument flows and reaches its logical conclusion. Structure is not determined
by repetition of facts but by careful articulation and unfolding of central
ideas, arguments and examples.
