Case Study: Chick-Fil A

Chick Fil A owes a duty not only to their employees, but to anyone that their business activities

affect. As a business they have a responsibility to support public interest or minimize the

negative impact that they have on their community. What is morally at stake for Chick Fil A is

their obligations to the public and their public image. Cathy may not support gay marriage but

he can use Chic Fil A as a platform to support organizations in support of the LGBT community

or fundraisers in their communities to support the fair treatment of all citizens. Their

responsibility to their community does not have to compromise their values and/or beliefs. As

Mr. Cathy has stated he does not support gay marriage, but he supports all people

One example of an ethical

principle is divine command. Under the divine command theory, the action taken is right if God

says it is right. Cathy was stated saying that he supports the biblical definition of marriage.

Under divine command, Cathy’s decision is considered moral if he is following God’s law

correctly. It would be considered immoral if he did not follow the command of God. The rights

theory is another principle that is relevant to this case. Under the rights theory, most people

believe that we are entitled to basic rights, life, liberty, free speech, etc. Cathy was entitled to

use his right to freedom of speech. Almost all theorists agree that rights should be respected

and people should have them. However, a counter to this claim is that those who wish may

within their same sex should also have that right. Consequential ethics is an outcome based

theory that could also be relevant to the case. Specifically, Utilitarianism because it deals with

the balance of pleasure and pain for everyone. It is important to understand that utilitarianism

deals with the greatest good for the greatest number. There could be two possible

Virtue ethics could also be relevant to this case. Virtue ethics include desirable attitudes

which will contribute to social harmony. Cathy’s attitude toward same-sex marriage created

discord and sparked a wide debate. Many people protested restaurants, while those in support

created a Chick Fil A appreciation day. Cathy’s may believe that his actions was virtuous,

however; his comments and actions are in contrast to this ethical principle. Another ethical

principle that can be applied to the case is the deontological theory of categorical imperative.

Under this ethical principle Cathy could argue that he had a moral duty to state and follow the

laws that are given from God asserting that we are bringing God’s judgement on ourselves

when we try to redefine the definition of marriage. Also under this principle it is the

responsibility of the business to do the greatest good for its stakeholders in general. When

Cathy stated his stance against same-sex marriage he was not thinking of his customers or the

employees of the organization. As the owner of Chick-fil-A he did not respect people and