Ford Pinto Case

Douglas Birsch , Associate Professor of Philosophy is an instructor at Villanova University. He is co-author of The DC-10 Case: A Study in Applied Ethics, Technology, and Society, also published by SUNY Press. John H. Fielder , Professor of Philosophy, is an instructor at Villanova University. He is co-author of The DC-10 Case: A Study in Applied Ethics, Technology, and Society, also published by SUNY Press.

"The Ford Pinto case is mentioned in most Business Ethics texts as an example of Cost-Benefit analysis, yet in those formats any appreciation of the complexity surrounding the issues of such decisions is overly simplified. As a thorough study, this book provides material that enriches the entire idea of using a particular case as an avenue of learning about Ethics, Business, Society, Technology, and Government Regulation. Rather than as a mere reference tool for educators and other professionals, this book could be successful in the classroom in a way that no other anthology or collection of short case studies could be." — Greg Pasquarello, Neumann College

• Preface Ethical Analysis of Case StudiesPART I: THE PINTO CONTROVERSY Introduction: The Pinto ControversyDouglas Birsch 1. Pinto MadnessMark Dowie 2. Ford Rebuts Pinto Criticism and Says Article is DistortedThe National Underwriter 3. The Pinto DocumentsLee Patrick Strobel 4. The Pinto Fuel SystemWest's California Reporter 5. Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, Part 571; S 301 6. Investigation Report, Phase I: Alleged Fuel Tank and Filler Neck Damage in Rear-End Collision of Subcompact Passenger Cars 7. Pinto Fires and Personal Ethics: A Script Analysis of Missed OpportunitiesDennis A. GioiaPART II: COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS Introduction: Cost-Benefits Analysis 8. Cost-Benefit Analysis: An Ethical CritiqueSteven Kelman 9. Defending Cost-Benfit Analysis: Replies to Steven KelmanJames V. Delong; Robert M. Solow; Gerard Butters, John Calfee, and Pauline Ippolito; Robert A. Nisbet 10. Product Safety, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and the Ford Pinto CaseDouglas Birsch 11. Fatalities Associated with Crash-Induced Fuel Leakage and FiresE.S. Grush and C. S. SaunbyPART III: WHISTLE BLOWING Introduction: Whistle Blowing 12. Ethical Responsibilities of Engineers in Large Organizations: The Pinto CaseRichard T. De George 13. Commentary on "Ethical Responsibilities of Engineers in Large Organizations: The Pinto Case"Hart T. Mankin 14. Whistle Blowing, Ethical Obligation, and the Ford Pinto CaseDouglas BirschPART IV: PRODUCT LIABILITY Introduction: Product Liability 15. Marketing and Product Liability: A Review and UpdateFred W. Morgan 16. Strict Products Liability and Compensatory JusticeGeorge G. Brenkert 17. Grimshaw v. Ford Motor CompanyWest's California ReporterPART V: THE REGULATION OF BUSINESS Introduction: The Regulation of Business 18. Profits vs. SafetyFrancis T. Cullen, William J. Maakestad, and Gray Cavender 19. Five Moral Imperatives of Government RegulationPeter Barton Hutt 20. Regulation: A Substitute for MoralityAlasdair MacIntyre 21. The Ethics and Politics of Automobile RegulationJohn H. Fielder Appendix: Abbreviated Ford Pinto Chronology Bibliography Index