Which ethical principle would conclude that a company is acting ethically when treating foreign workers differently than American expatriates?

Cultural relativism is the ethical principle that suggests that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture. In the context of the question, this principle would imply that the company is acting ethically by treating foreign workers differently from American expatriates because such practices might be understood or accepted within the local cultural context of where the foreign workers are employed.

Cultural relativism allows for variations in treatment based on the cultural norms and standards that exist in different countries, suggesting that policies and practices which may differ from what is commonplace in the United States can still be deemed ethical if they align with the cultural expectations of the host country. This perspective emphasizes the importance of context and encourages an understanding of diverse cultural practices rather than imposing a singular standard.

In contrast, moral relativism is more focused on personal beliefs rather than cultural norms. Kantian ethics centers around universal moral principles and rationality, advocating for treatment based on inherent human rights. Distributive justice pertains to the fair allocation of resources and benefits and would likely critique differences in treatment rather than justify them.