Part A: Introduction: the task for Part A is to write an essay applying ethical reasoning to a key component of the current economic system, in this case the extractive sector, in order to achieve a defensible ethical analysis of an activity within the sector.
The specific task: Please write an essay that addresses the following topical question:
On 7 December 2022, the British Government took the decision to allow mining for coal at Woodhouse Colliery, near Whitehaven in Cumbria. This is the first new coal mine in the UK in 30 years. Is this decision ethically justified?
Please analyse the decision using Utilitarian Ethics AND EITHER Kantian Ethics OR Amartya Sen’s Theory of Justice.
You MUST explain and apply ethical theories that you have been asked to use in this question and you should structure your essay as follows:
a. Describe the situation and identify the arguments for and against opening Woodhouse Colliery. You will need to draw on evidence relating to the decision (please see links below for a starting point) and good quality academic sources that discuss the extractives sector and how it operates.
b. Identify and discuss the ethical issues raised in relation to those stakeholder groups affected by the decision. Note: an issue is a matter of debate; ethics is the study of concepts of right and wrong; therefore: ethical issues= matters that raise debates about right and wrong.
c. Introduce and explain the two ethical theories to be applied in responding to the essay question. Here you will need to base your introduction and explanation on good quality academic sources that consider the ethical theories in depth.
d. Apply the ethical theories to analyse and respond to the ethical issues raised by the decision to open Woodhouse Colliery. Here you will need to show good understanding of the ethical theories in order to apply them accurately and effectively.
e. Based on your discussion reach an ethically justified position on the ethics of opening Woodhouse Colliery.
Remember that this is an essay about business ethics and not business strategy or legal liability. You are being asked to develop an ethical discussion about the implications of two ethical theories for the decision to open Woodhouse Colliery.
Below are links to sources that provide some background to this essay question. They should help you understand some of the ethical issues raised. You are strongly advised to use these links as a starting point to research more about the Woodhouse Colliery decision along with the ethical issues that it raises in more depth before writing your assignment.
You should also undertake further reading on ethical theories and ideas, using the module readings and your own research. Please do not use texts such as blogs or student essays as sources. Whatever sources are used MUST be cited.
Links to useful starting points:
– https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/geotech-industry-split-over-cumbria-coal-mine- approval-14-12-2022/ https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/23224119.details-jobs-roles-available-west- cumbria-mine-revealed/
– https://www.westcumbriamining.com/ https://theecologist.org/2022/dec/08/cumbria-mine-approval-appalling-decision