Provide the rationale behind the doctrine of respondeat superior and discuss whether ethically you believe this doctrine is an appropriate doctrine for our society.

The rationale behind the doctrine is that if the employer is benefiting by the work of the employee, the employer should also be responsible for the harms caused by the employee. Students will vary on whether ethically the doctrine is appropriate. On one hand, it seems unfair to hold a business owner liable for acts of negligence that were not his or her own. On the other hand, the employer hired the agent or employee and is benefiting from work performed. Additionally, the doctrine should encourage the exercise of care in hiring employees.