¶ … decision to search the residence for the fugitive is largely in order as this move would yield the greatest benefit -- particularly if the fugitive is captured. In my reasoning, I am largely relying on the principle of benefit maximization, which as Perez and Moore (2012) observe, advocates for the distribution of good to more people. Failure to apprehend the suspect would result in a higher probability of the continued commission of an offense that impacts negatively on the masses.
As Jones and Carlson (2004, p. 129) points out, "we live in a technological age, and one of the curses or blessings of this age -- depending on one's perspective -- is the video camera." I do not conduct myself as if I am on video at all times. This means that I have not done things that I wouldn't be comfortable doing in the presence of, as you would say, my grandmother. Essentially, I have subconsciously been using of one of Michael Josephson's moral decision making tools -- the candle. According to Perez and Moore (2012, p. 129), the candle, in basic terms, "refers to how the decision might look if it were exposed to the light of day, as it were, or to public scrutiny." I always ask myself: would I be able to defend a move if it were exposed?
Q.3
The relevance of setting limits related to tolerable behavior cannot be overstated. This is particularly the case given that our actions do commonly have an impact on other people. In addition to increasing the risk of inappropriate exposure, intolerable behavior is likely to leave an individual with feelings of guilt, regret, and shame. One principle I could make use of to put across my point is the Principle of Equal Respect, which, as Perez and Moore (2012) point out, is based on regarding each and every person as being worthy of both honor and respect. The key question here is: how would I feel if I were to be subjected to similar treatment? It is for this reason that set limits, with regard to tolerable behavior, are important.
Dilemma 7
Background: During interrogation of a person suspected to have abducted a young girl, I become strongly convinced that the suspect could be aware of the child's whereabouts. To what length would I go to make the suspect reveal the child's whereabouts?
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