Intel's Pentium chip crisis: an ethical analysis

摘要

In October 1994 a mathematics professor informed the Intel Corporation that its Pentium chip had a flaw which caused mathematical errors. Intel's response to the professor and its customers created a backlash of anger and a public relations crisis. By analyzing Intel's actions using the work of two relevant ethical philosophies, the article shows that some of the company's errors in public relations were also ethical errors. However, it also points out that Intel has made improvements which will help it avoid future problems and which could set an ethical precedent for the semiconductor industry.