PHI445 Week 2 – Discussion
Reflect: Keep in mind that Uber has presented itself into the market not as a transportation service but as a service that pairs consumers with ride sharing services by means of a unique phone app. But some sources—including the taxi industry and one California court finding (details in the required material), as well as the characterization of Uber presented in Section 2.5 of the textbook—seem to challenge this branding. According to these sources, Uber is avoiding laws that apply to the transportation industry and, thereby, usurping a rightful place that the taxi industry has carved for itself. Consumers, on the other hand, have shown their preference for Uber by a high demand for its services in the USA and abroad, including those countries in which Uber has been banned. Compared to taxis, Uber offers consumers an efficient system for procuring a ride even in remote areas where taxis do not frequent, a convenient payment method (no need for cash, and fares can be split among different users on the same ride), and significantly cheaper fares compared to taxis. In many instances, Uber cars come equipped with water, candy, and magazines, all for free. Uber drivers are also better off because they keep the majority of the fares for the rides that they service, which is exactly the opposite case of taxi drivers, and they can choose when they want to work. Clearly, this is a controversial case and thus very apt for the examination for this discussion.
Keep in mind that a nation’s economic system is shaped by the laws that are in place. Accordingly, laws (including state regulations and local ordinances) will give you a clue for the kind of economic system that exists. Keep in mind also that most nations have mixed economies and there is probably no economic system that purely represents socialism or capitalism. So you will find a different combination of both socialism and capitalism in any nation that you are examining.
Write: You have four tasks for your initial post. In order to present an organized post, address each one of these tasks in a separate paragraph and in the following order. Your first task is to articulate the economic system or combination of characteristics of both socialism and capitalism that such laws depict. Your second task is to examine the laws that either support or limit the operations by Uber. Your third task is to analyze how your findings from your first and second tasks affect Uber. And your fourth task is to present your moral position with regard to Uber. For this latter task, you will need to identify one of the three ethical theories covered in the Week 1 utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics as support for the moral position that you are taking. For example, you may hold the moral position that Uber is morally justifiable because it provides a good for consumers that fills in a gap that had not been met by the taxi industry. Or you may take the position that Uber’s positioning in the market is morally wrong.
PHI445 Week 2 – Discussion Answer
Economic System and Laws: The economic system in which Uber operates is characterized by a mixed economy with elements of both capitalism and socialism. Laws and regulations play a significant role in shaping this economic landscape. In the case of Uber, the laws that govern its operations include state regulations and local ordinances related to the transportation industry. These laws offer insights into the mixed economic system, where market forces coexist with government intervention to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
Uber’s Legal Framework: Uber’s operations are influenced by a complex web of laws that vary across jurisdictions. Some laws support Uber by recognizing it as a technology platform connecting riders with drivers, thus exempting it from certain regulations that traditional taxis face. However, other laws limit Uber, questioning its classification as a technology company rather than a transportation service. For instance, the California court finding challenges Uber’s self-presentation, arguing that it avoids transportation industry laws, placing it in direct competition with the established taxi industry.
Impact on Uber: The mixed economic system, reflected in laws that both support and restrict Uber, has a profound impact on the company. On the positive side, Uber benefits from the flexibility provided by technology-based classification, allowing it to offer innovative services, competitive pricing, and improved convenience for consumers. However, legal challenges and the characterization of Uber as evading regulations create obstacles, raising questions about fair competition and adherence to industry standards.
Moral Position and Ethical Theory: Taking a virtue ethics perspective, my moral position regarding Uber leans towards its contribution to consumer welfare. Virtue ethics emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits, and in the case of Uber, virtues such as innovation, efficiency, and customer-centricity come to the forefront. Uber fills a gap in the market by providing a service that is more efficient, convenient, and often more affordable than traditional taxis. The emphasis on virtues aligns with the view that Uber’s positioning in the market is morally justifiable, as it addresses consumer needs and preferences.
In conclusion, the mixed economic system, shaped by laws that both support and limit Uber, creates a complex environment for the company. My virtue ethics-based moral position acknowledges the virtues associated with Uber’s operations and its positive impact on consumer welfare.
