Final answer:
Ethics washing refers to an organization's facade of ethical behavior, where it claims to adhere to ethical standards but fails to implement them internally, disguising actual practices. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethics washing is when an organization publicly claims to follow ethical principles, but doesn’t actually follow them in practice. Unlike rigorous ethical evaluations or ethical outsourcing, ethics washing is essentially a form of deceit where public perception is manipulated to appear morally upright without the necessary actions to back it up. It is an attempt to cover up questionable practices with seemingly ethical policies. This behavior can be particularly concerning when considering areas such as corporate responsibility, where organizations need to address ethical challenges honestly and transparently.
It is critical for both businesses and professional organizations, like those in the fields of science and technology, to not only establish codes of ethics but to commit to them genuinely. This reflects a profound understanding of applied ethics, normative ethics, and the practical approaches to moral reasoning that underscore everyday decisions as well as broad organizational conduct.
Instead of using ethics as a mere marketing tool, authentic ethical commitment involves enacting real change, ensuring that the welfare of people and the environment are prioritized over superficial moral posturing often seen in cases of ethics washing.
Hence, Option A is correct.