An Ethical Dilemna Essay Research Paper DilemmaTaken — страница 2

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major quality problems with the products, as well as pollution problems. Additionally, she learned that several teams had “procured” software from the competition to reduce their production times. Sandy realized that something needed to be done quickly, so she went to John. “John, we’ve got some major problems,” she told him. “Quality has decreased below our contract’s specifications. I’ve got workers cutting so many corners that it’s just a matter of time before someone really gets hurt. And to top it all off, some of the special project teams have gotten a hold of our competitor’s software. What are we going to do?” John looked at Sandy and said, “Nothing.” “What do you mean, nothing!?” asked Sandy. “Let me explain something to you,” John

answered calmly. “We’re in a recession. The only reason 20 percent of our workers still have jobs is that our costs are down and our production is way up. I know quality is down; I’ve doctored some of the quality report forms myself. I also know about the software. Sandy, the only reason we’re still working is because of the special projects concept you implemented. And I’ve got news for you — production orders are going down in December. If we lay off the productive workers, we cut out the lean and save only the lazy workers we can’t fire because of their seniority. Plus, have you ever fired someone around Christmas time? It’s not a pretty sight. “So I’ll tell you what you’re going to do. Sandy, you’re going to forget about OSHA, the EPA, and the

software, and you’re going to doctor up the quality-control reports — because if you don’t, we’re both out of jobs. Have you ever tried getting a job during a recession? With your health problems, even if you did get a job, insurance would never cover your asthma treatments. You owe me, Sandy. Don’t worry. When the recession goes away, we will straighten things out,” said John. Sandy left John’s office and thought about her options. “Moral philosophies refer to the set of principles or rules that people use to decide what is right or wrong.” (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 1997, p. 61) In this essay I will discuss the different moral philosophies and explain how one dilemma could have so many possible outcomes. By examining these various moral philosophies, we could

see how Sandy weighs her options between what is ethically correct or what she believes is morally wrong and why. The first philosophy I would like to discuss is Teleological; this philosophy stipulates that acts are morally right or acceptable if the outcome is beneficial for the good of one, or the good of many. Two such philosophies are Egoism and Utilitarianism. Using the Teleology philosophy, I will first look at the Dilemma in the Utilitarianism perspective. If Sandy were a Utilitarian, she would do exactly what John said to do which is nothing. A person with a Utilitarianism perspective “is concerned with maximizing total utility, or providing the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people”(Ferrel & Fraedrich, 1997, p. 61). By doing nothing, Sandy will have

to overlook the increase in injuries, and the improper disposal of toxic wastes. If you were to look at this dilemma in this viewpoint you will have to say that overlooking everything would benefit almost everyone involved. Sandy will have to doctor up the quality-control reports, but this is considered acceptable in the Utilitarianism viewpoint because she will save many peoples jobs. If Sandy does modify the quality-control reports, she will be supporting John who has helped and supported her career when no one else believed in her. This decision would also benefit the good of the company because they would not have to layoff their most productive workers around the Christmas holidays. If they did lay off their most productive workers, the company would be left with the least

productive and lazy workers because they have the most seniority. Sandy acted out this way because it benefited nearly everyone involved. Using the Teleology philosophy, I will now look at this dilemma from the Egoism perspective. An Egoist “believes that they should make decisions that maximize their own self-interest”; egoists are naturally unethical. (Ferrel & Fraedrich, 1997, p. 54) Sandy would again, overlook the increase in injuries, and the improper disposal of toxic wastes. She would also have no problem with changing the figures on quality-control reports, or with the fact there were teams using “procured” software from a competitor to reduce their production time. She would overlook all of these things, but for a different reasons; As an Egoist, Sandy is out