Ethical Decision-Making in The Devil

Wears Prada
MARCH 12, 2015 ~ CINDEETL

In the film The Devil Wears Prada, Andy Sachs played by Anne
Hathaway, is a recent journalism grad from Northwestern. Andy
begins in the movie not having any particular interest in fashion,
however, as she embraces her new and very difficult position at a
fashion magazine, she begins to see the perks associated with it
and transforms. Throughout the film Andy transitions between
three decision-making models as discussed described in Deckops
reading in order to keep up with her family, friends, and
boyfriend. She begins to recognize the price that comes along
with the level of success in a cutthroat business like the fashion
industry. Many of the decisions she makes throughout her journey
can be associated with the business theories of universalism,
utilitarianism, and profit maximization.

One of the decisions Andy faced in the film was whether or not he
should work at Runway magazine. At first, Andy had a
universalism view of the fashion industry, ridiculing the
shallowness of the business environment and wouldnt consider
taking a job position in that field due to her personal beliefs.
According to Deckop, to exercise universalist principles, one
must choose to work in a firm that has similar values [to their
own]. Coming from a more practical business setting, Andy was
uninterested and did not approve of the criteria demanded at a
fashion magazine company.

The situation arised when she was offered a job working under
the editor-in-chief of Runway, Miranda. Andy decided she would
take up the job position for experience and hopes to gain a
referral for a job elsewhere. As a result she stepped out of her
comfort zone by accepting the job despite her personal values.
Andy also started changing her appearance by wearing designer
clothing to fit her new job and to impress Miranda. Andy pushed
herself because she knew what was best for her career and her
boss. This decision is an example of a shift to the utilitarian
decision making process. Deckop explains the [utilitarianism]
decision-maker believes in weighing the consequences of a
decision against all affected stakeholders to the decision. As long
as the benefit that others receive outweighs the harm. Andy
chose the route of benefiting for the greater good of the company
although put her self-interests in jeopardy.

During her time at the company, Andy meets an attractive young

writer, Christian Thompson, who offers to help her with her career.
Andy saw this as an opportunity for her career and builds a
friendship. As Andy spends most of her time at work and around
Christian, he eventually confesses a love interest in her. This
causes a potential dilemma with her relationship with Nate.
However, Andy solved the problem by taking a universalist
approach, refusing his romantic advances for the sake of her
loyalty to her boyfriend. Certain things are fundamentally wrong
such as infidelity in which would harm her boyfriend as well as her
self-worth. Deckop states a key element in universalism is the
categorical imperative, do unto others as you would have them
do unto you also known as the golden rule. Andy would not want
to find out that her boyfriend was being unfaithful in their
relationship and therefore, chose the most ethical thing to do.

A similar dilemma occurred when Andy abandoned her college

friends as well as her father in order to respond to Mirandas beck
and calls. Andy had to decide whether to spend time with her
friends and family as she promised over risking her job. She
followed the decision-making model of profit maximization since
she considered putting her own professional benefits before her
loved ones. Deckop explains that profit maximization involves
believing the objective of making decisions should be to
maximize the long-term profitability of the organization. Andy
sacrificed her friends and fathers feelings in order to gain positive
recognition and promotion from Miranda.

Another decision Andy faced was when Miranda offered her to

participate in the Paris fashion week. Andy hesitates to take this
privilege away from her coworker Emily, but is eventually forced
to accept it after being told she will lose her job if she declines.
Although Andy considered the ethical dilemma between her
coworker, she took a utilitarian standpoint and accepted the offer
due to her job being at stake. In the words of Deckop, this is a
utilitarian decision because, it is acceptable to cause harm to
some, as long as the benefit that others receives outweighs the
harm. In this case, despite Emily losing out on the opportunity of
her dreams, Andy gets to keep her job and Miranda is satisfied for
the greater good of her company.

Comparing these two situations above in the shoes of Miranda, I

believe she acted out in pure utilitarianism. Miranda runs her
company in her own self-interests for the company despite all the
harm she causes to her employees along the way. Deckop states
as long as a benefit versus harm is maximized, the ends justify
the means. Miranda always has the company in mind; therefore
she runs it with an iron fist. From a utilitarian perspective, for
long-term company health and shareholder value, the harm to
employees may be dismissed.

Lastly, another decision that affected both Andy and Miranda

concerns the dilemma arised from Nigel and Jacqueline. Nigel was
informed that he would be offered a creative director job with
rising fashion star, James Holt at Mirandas recommendation.
Meanwhile, Andy learns from Christian that Jacqueline may
replace Miranda as editor-in-chief. Despite all the suffering Andy
has endured at this time, she attempts to warn her boss. At the
luncheon scene, it is discovered that Miranda is well informed and
instead of offering the job to Nigel, she instead offers it to
Jacqueline in order to re-direct her resignation as editor-in-chief.
Miranda pleased with Andys loyalty says that she sees some of
herself in Andy. Repulsed, Andy replies that she could never do
anything like that to anyone. This shows a final shift back to
Andys universalist ways and values. Andy realizes that this job is
against her own ethical and personal beliefs, as a result she quits.
Andy makes a universalist decision separating right and wrong,
seeing that the ends most certainly do not justify the means.
Deckop explains that this view implies, that employees have
inherit worth, and that a firm or manager that violates the
employees inherit dignity and worth by using them as a means to
an end is acting unethically. In this case Miranda used Nigel for
personal gains and benefits in keeping her job.

Miranda participated in utilitarianism and profit maximization

decision-making models in this example. She believed that taking
away Nigels promotion to keep her job resulted in the best
benefit for the company. Profit maximization puts profit before
societal responsibilities even if it concerns your own family and
friends. Runway magazine would deteriorate in Mirandas eyes;
she believes that without her management there will be no
success. She even self sacrificed her marriage and her children
for the sake of the company. Although she is going through a hard
time with divorce, she would always put the business and its
stakeholders first. Miranda will continue to strive for professional
gain and profit for the long-term.