Ethical DilemmasEthical Dilemmas

There are 2 types of Ethical There are 2 types of Ethical DilemmasDilemmas

Right versus WrongRight versus Wrong

Right versus RightRight versus Right

Right Verses Wrong is…Right Verses Wrong is…

A situation where there is definitely a right A situation where there is definitely a right course of action and a wrong course of course of action and a wrong course of action.action.

Example: Someone steals money from Example: Someone steals money from their company to perpetuate their own their company to perpetuate their own lifestyle. lifestyle.

Resolution: Charge and convict them of a Resolution: Charge and convict them of a crimecrime

Right versus RightRight versus Right

There are two or more possible choices to There are two or more possible choices to resolving a situation. All seem to be right and resolving a situation. All seem to be right and have positive and negatives.have positive and negatives.

Example: You catch a friend, who is getting an A Example: You catch a friend, who is getting an A in math, cheating on an exam. This friend needs in math, cheating on an exam. This friend needs a high final mark to get a scholarship. However, a high final mark to get a scholarship. However, you are also in the class and know that the class you are also in the class and know that the class works hard to get the marks they get. works hard to get the marks they get.

You are torn – Truth: Your friend cheats to do You are torn – Truth: Your friend cheats to do well vs. Loyalty to your friend.well vs. Loyalty to your friend.

4 Forms of Ethical Dilemmas4 Forms of Ethical Dilemmas

Truth vs. LoyaltyTruth vs. Loyalty Individual vs. CommunityIndividual vs. Community Short-term vs. Long-TermShort-term vs. Long-Term Justice vs. MercyJustice vs. Mercy

Some Simple Resolution PrinciplesSome Simple Resolution Principles

Do what’s best for the greatest Do what’s best for the greatest number of people (ends-based number of people (ends-based thinking).thinking).

Follow your highest sense of Follow your highest sense of principle (or rule based thinking).principle (or rule based thinking).

Do what you want others to do for Do what you want others to do for you (or care-based thinking).you (or care-based thinking).

Debate Number 1Debate Number 1Truth vs. LoyaltyTruth vs. Loyalty

As a professional working for a large defence electronics As a professional working for a large defence electronics firm, Stan found himself riding a roller coaster of concern firm, Stan found himself riding a roller coaster of concern about layoffs. Every few years, it seems, top management about layoffs. Every few years, it seems, top management slashed jobs as work slacked off, only to hire again when slashed jobs as work slacked off, only to hire again when times started looking up. Stan’s boss, however, was a good times started looking up. Stan’s boss, however, was a good friend – and also a big talker. Stan had no problems asking friend – and also a big talker. Stan had no problems asking him about his future. The boss mentioned that if the him about his future. The boss mentioned that if the company was to slash jobs, Stan friend and team member, company was to slash jobs, Stan friend and team member, Jim, would lose his job.Jim, would lose his job.

Days later, Jim approaches Stan asking if he could confirm Days later, Jim approaches Stan asking if he could confirm that he was about to lose his job. Stan also knows that Jim that he was about to lose his job. Stan also knows that Jim is also down on his luck and owes a lot of money. What is also down on his luck and owes a lot of money. What does Stan do? Does he honor confidentially or tell Jim?does Stan do? Does he honor confidentially or tell Jim?

Debate Number 2Debate Number 2Individual vs. CommunityIndividual vs. Community

The operator of a nursing home in California received a The operator of a nursing home in California received a letter from a nearby hospital, where his elderly residents letter from a nearby hospital, where his elderly residents typically went for medical attention. The letter reminded typically went for medical attention. The letter reminded him that five of his residents had recently had surgery at him that five of his residents had recently had surgery at the hospital. It also informed him that some of the blood the hospital. It also informed him that some of the blood used may have been tainted with a very scary disease. used may have been tainted with a very scary disease. While making it clear that probabilities of infection were While making it clear that probabilities of infection were very low, the letter asked him to call the five to arrange very low, the letter asked him to call the five to arrange further testing.further testing.

However, if the nursing home operator does this, he knows However, if the nursing home operator does this, he knows that the staff at the hospital would probably refuse care to that the staff at the hospital would probably refuse care to the 5 since they are afraid of the disease. However, if he the 5 since they are afraid of the disease. However, if he did not call, and 1 of the 5 has the disease, he would be did not call, and 1 of the 5 has the disease, he would be responsible. Does he call the 5 or just ignore it?responsible. Does he call the 5 or just ignore it?

Debate Number 3: Short Term Debate Number 3: Short Term verse Long Termverse Long Term

Andy found a solid job, married, and had two Andy found a solid job, married, and had two sons. 12 years later, he moved to another sons. 12 years later, he moved to another company that promised steady advancement company that promised steady advancement within its managerial ranks. A devoted family within its managerial ranks. A devoted family man, he admired his wife’s dedication to raising man, he admired his wife’s dedication to raising his sons. But he also observed that his sons his sons. But he also observed that his sons needed more fatherly advise as they got older. needed more fatherly advise as they got older. However, he also loved his work and was offered However, he also loved his work and was offered an upper management position. The only an upper management position. The only requirement was that he start his MBA – which requirement was that he start his MBA – which would require two years of weekends and nights would require two years of weekends and nights going to class. Does he think of his family or his going to class. Does he think of his family or his career first?career first?

Debate Number 4: Justice vs. Debate Number 4: Justice vs. MercyMercy

An Senior editor of a newspaper hired a An Senior editor of a newspaper hired a young woman for the food page. She had young woman for the food page. She had come from one of the best colleges. She come from one of the best colleges. She had always seemed to write amazing stories had always seemed to write amazing stories and was very popular. One day, however, and was very popular. One day, however, the Food Editor came to the Senior Editor’s the Food Editor came to the Senior Editor’s desk and showed that the young writer had desk and showed that the young writer had plagiarized a story about blueberries.plagiarized a story about blueberries.

Should the Sr. Editor immediately fire the Should the Sr. Editor immediately fire the young writer or give her a chance?young writer or give her a chance?