Theories of Ethics and Morality: Ethics and Morality

Ethics and Morality: The Theories of Ethics and Morality

The subject in this case faces an ethical dilemma, where she has to choose between reporting an ethical concern and just playing along or doing nothing at all. Both choices have serious consequences -- reporting would mean that i) she loses her job and livelihood because of a confidentiality breach, and ii) she stops her organization from producing the environmentally-friendly hovercraft, and consequently, becomes the reason why the world will never enjoy clean unpolluted air. Playing along, on the other hand, would mean that she watches as 200,000 innocent lives are lost as a result of the hovercraft's incompatibility with existing models.

The subject has a duty to uphold confidentiality in all dealings that have to do with the company. Disclosing such information to the press would amount to breach of this duty. However, as a member of a corporate body, she also has a duty to always look out for the welfare of the community. Utilitarianism requires people to always go for the action that maximizes the best interests of the majority -- in this case, the deontological duty owed to the citizens overrides that owed to the company, which essentially means that the subject is obliged to report the study allegations first to their boss, and then to the press in case no action is taken (Fedler, 2006).

Then there is the other question -- would it be ethical to stop the production of the hovercraft, which is deemed to reduce greenhouse emissions and improve the quality of life in years to come? In my view, the decision will be guided by the consequentialism theory -- that actions ought to be assessed based on the good they bring (Tully, 2006). Given the high cost of the hovercraft (about four times that of an SUV), most people may not afford it, and it may take years before their numbers on the roads are sufficient enough to have a noticeable effect on greenhouse emissions. This means that it could basically take decades before the effect of the same on the environment is felt. On the other hand, deaths resulting from the launch of the same are likely to be triggered immediately, and are deemed to increase as the number of hovercrafts increases. If we are to wait until the hovercrafts are sufficient to have a tangible effect on the environment, and we are losing between 100,000 and 200,000 lives in accidents annually, then we may have no one left to enjoy the 'clean' air by 2050. Based on the consequentialism theory, therefore, it makes sense to stop the launch of the hovercraft.

However, since the subject is guided by professional code of ethics, they will be required to follow the relevant lines of authority; they will need to first disclose the study findings to their immediate supervisor, and the next supervisor, and the next; and only make the matter public if no action is taken.

Part Two

My personal ethical philosophy is to always mind my business, and let others do what they have to do, just as long as what they are doing does not directly affect me or my family. Most people think I have a snobbish attitude, but what they do not know is that I derive so much peace of mind from just minding my business. I strongly believe that conflict results from people wanting to get involved (be it in a positive or negative way) and give their opinion in matters that do not concern them. If you are spending time worrying about yourself and your family, or those people who matter most, then you have no time to get involved in the business of people who may never appreciate you regardless of whether your involvement is for a worthy cause or not. If you talk too much or see too much, you will most definitely step on some toes, and that is likely to be the beginning of conflict.