Ethical problem
The ethical problem in ethical dilemma one is whether one should accept credit for work that they did not do for the purposes of gaining selection into an internship.
Kantian Ethics
Someone who follows Kantian Ethics will understand that an action is only good if the principle behind it is in line with moral law. Such a person will understand that acceptance of credit for work that was not done by them is morally untenable. This will be because such an acceptance of credit will be betrayal to the person who actually did the job and that is against moral law. Such a person is likely to disclose that he/she wasn’t responsible for answering that part of the project.
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Virtue Ethics
A person who believes in the ideology of virtue ethics must epitomize good character, moral strength and honesty. The person will likely come clear and accept that he/she had very little involvement in the section that has really impressed the company. This is because such a person will likely place a high value on honesty and they are also likely to have a high moral strength that enables them to say truth at all times even if it results in their own detriment.
My Resolution
I would solve this ethical dilemma through the use of utilitarian ethics. Utilitarian ethics advocates for measuring the good or bad of an action based on the consequences. I would first of all evaluate the consequences for myself. If I accept credit for a job that I did not do, I will end up getting the internship opportunity and a job to go with it. The other consequence I would consider is the consequence for my colleague. If my colleague gets to know that I accepted praise that was due to him/her they would end up being disappointed in me. I would therefore decline the praise to avoid negative consequences of such an action.
Ethical Dilemma Two
Ethical Problem
The ethical problem in this scenario is choosing between being loyal to your boss and keeping a secret that has been told to you in confidence or speaking up with the aim of helping an employee.
Act Utilitarian
A person who believes in Act utilitarianism is likely to be of the belief that an action is morally correct if it presents the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In this context, a person with this ideology is likely to choose telling the employee about the impending layoff. By telling the employee, the employee will spread word to other employees who are likely to get dismissed and through their labour union the employees can be able to remonstrate with the appropriate authority in the company and get to keep their jobs. This will mean that the greatest good has been done since many employees will get to keep their jobs.
Subjective Relativism
A person following the subjective relativism ideology of ethics is likely to believe that they have the moral authority over their own actions. Such an individual is therefore quite unpredictable on the way they may choose to solve the ethical dilemma. One may choose to stay loyal to their boss and avoid the disclosure of information told in confidence or one may choose to spill the beans. In the end, it is only the individual who will decide what is right based on their moral compass.
My Resolution
I would resolve this dilemma through the use of virtue ethics. On one hand, it is wrong to spill information given in confidence but also it is wrong to stand around and do nothing when wrong is being committed. I would therefore choose to tell the employee in the hope that other employees hear of this and all get to save their jobs.
Ethical Dilemma Three
Ethical Problem
The ethical problem in this scenario is whether one should disclose a secret told to them by a fellow employee to their superior for the purposes of their own individual benefit to get a promotion.
Act Egoism
A person who believes in Act egoism moral ideology is likely to believe that every moral agent is allowed to act in a manner that favours their own self interests. Such a person will not hesitate going to their boss and telling them that the other employee who was scheduled to get a promotion has already gotten a guaranteed job elsewhere and is intending to leave in two months. Such an action will be aimed at getting the boss to revise their intention of giving the other employee the job and actually giving it to them.
The Divine Command Theory
A person who subscribes to the the Divine Command Theory is likely to be of the belief that an action is morally right if it has been commanded by God. Such a person will, therefore, also likely subscribe to the religious ideals of doing well to one another. In this context, such a person will likely consider the consequence of betraying their colleague’s secret to their boss, and will avoid such an action.
My Resolution
I would use Kantian ethics to resolve this ethical problem. Kantian ethics dictates that an action is morally right if the principle behind it is in line with moral law. In this case, I would talk it over with my colleague if he/she is interested in the promotion and if they are not I would go ahead and inform the boss of the fact that they have a job offer elsewhere. By doing so, I will ensure that both me and my colleague stay happy since we will all have gotten what we want.
Part Two
One ethical challenge that I am likely to encounter as an employee is whether to stay loyal to an organization that first of all gave me an opportunity or to seek development opportunities outside the organization. I can approach this challenge through the Act egoism ethical ideology that advocates for putting one’s individual interests first. By following the Act egoism ideology, I will follow my career path regardless of the implication on the company that gave me an opportunity. I will also ensure that my actions bring the greatest good to the greatest people by applying the concept of Act utilitarianism. Through this ethical ideology, I will ensure that I inform the organization that first gave me an opportunity for self-career development when I have opportunities to leave for greener pastures. This will ensure that all parties remain happy since I will leave for a new job, and the organization will promote someone else to take my position in advance.
Part Three
Virtue ethics is the theory that best defines my ethical perception of life. As an individual, I believe in upholding high levels of virtues particularly in relation to whatever interactions I have with people. Throughout my schooling I have been faced with moments that demand honesty and strength of character. From the beginning, as a child I always had the habit of telling the truth and my parents would always encourage that habit in me. I have always understood the importance of not only being honest but also respecting the relationships that I have with friends and colleagues. I have always been of the understanding that true character is one in which you treat others as you would want them to treat you. In summary, all through my life I have earned myself true friends just out of my ability to point out what the real moral thing to do is.
