Ethical Dilemma Proposal

Ethical Dilemma Proposal

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Ethical Dilemma Proposal

1. Problem StatementAn ethical dilemma is a situation in which involves a lack of a clear action to take due to conflicting values. Solving this kind of dilemmas requires an individual to have a high moral intelligence. Even though ethical dilemmas are challenging, having a clear decision making framework can improve the decision making process. There are several advantages of establishing a decision-making framework. First, it helps to make decisions quickly thereby improving efficiency. Second, it improves the confidence to handle challenging decisions. Third, it increases self-respect (Roberts, 2013).2. Outcome and PerformanceI first encountered an ethical dilemma in high school when my best friend decided to cheat in the exam. To make it even more challenging for me, he asked if he could copy my research project that I had done the previous year. He grew up in, and an orphanage after his parents passed away when he was a young boy. He was also a beneficiary of a government sponsorship program. I was in a dilemma because I valued my friendship with him while at the same time, I knew that it was unethical. If I allowed him to copy my research, this would constitute to breaking the rules and regulations of the school. Nevertheless, it this cheating would not present any harm to anyone including myself.3. StructureCheating is a general problem in many educational institutions all over the world. This is despite the existence of very strict rules and regulations (Johnson, 2009). As such, many students do not see any harm in engaging in this practice. Are they right? From an ethical standpoint, how does cheating measure up? Is it right or wrong?4. Representation of DataLet us illustrate this with an example. Two friends, John and James are studying together. They are in the same school and the same class, but they have different strengths in different subjects. John is good in mathematics, computers and science. James is good in history, languages and philosophy. They care a lot about each other and wish each other the best in life. They study together and help each other to improve each other’s weaknesses. John improves James’ science papers by rewriting them. In return, James will copy John’s mathematics homework. When both are taking exams, they position each other so that each can easily copy answers from the other one’s work. They do this so that they can improve each other’s weakness. It is a perfect arrangement. Both are getting good grades which none can achieve solely. On one, hand, this looks like a good friendship because they are helping each other. On the other hand, they are engaging in a massive cheating scandal. What is unethical about this?5. Theoretical EvidenceOne of the primary functions of ethics is to evaluate a particular action against a primary standard of a person’s well being, satisfaction, and happiness in life. Ethical issues arise when we need these things. These needs fall into two categories, i.e. particular material conditions and the condition and manner of our treatment. We evaluate to see which is on the line. Once we see a threat to any of the needs, we resort to dismissing the ethical standards and plan how to satisfy our lives (Gates, 2013).6. Empirical EvidenceGoing back to our example, we can see several reasons why this is an ethical problem. One can conclude that there is deception because one student is claiming the other’s work as his own, which is also manipulating the professor and breaking an agreement. This also brings inequality between friends and the rest of the students in class who do not have such an arrangement. Besides helping each other, their actions also hinder them and the rest of the students in getting what they want in life, which are good grades and a diploma that will assist them in getting a good career. This has a great effect in getting satisfying and happy life, which is the mandatory demand for this situation to qualify for ethical analysis. Considering the analysis of what we do to see if it presents potential harm to others, and ourselves this case qualifies for more scrutiny. 7. Comparison with Other MethodsWhen we identify ethical issues involved in an action, it does not mean that we have judged what is going on. Our next step is to evaluate the case. It could turn the tables and justify cheating. We might have misunderstood the situation originally. A closer look may lead us to believe that inequality, deception and harm are not that dangerous or that the good that results in cheating is more. On the other hand, this may even convince us that cheating is completely wrong. We might make a conclusion that the harm is greater than the good or that the whole act is wrong. At least, we can see that a careful consideration of the case is necessary.8. Limits and Scope of System (in Relation to Stated Problem)Analyzing the actionsAccording to Garber (2008), deontological approach is harder to explain than the teleological one. It becomes easier when analyzing an actual ethical case by looking at the actions. Several aspects about this case make it unethical. They are deception, inequality, breaking an agreement, manipulation, and conflicting responsibilities. DeceptionJames and John are misrepresenting to their teachers that they originally did the work, and this seriously violates the integrity of the educational process. The “rules of the game” are well known and explicitly stated in the regulations of every college and university. One job of educational institutions is to evaluate their students’ intellectual abilities. When I give James a B in my ethics course, I am saying, “I hereby certify that I have examined James’s work and found that he has an above average ability in analyzing ethical issues and presenting arguments in support of his positions”. However, for that statement to mean what it says, I have to be speaking about James’s work, not John’s work handed in under James’s name. If it is John’s work, then James is lying to me. Therefore, the first problem here is that truth is a casualty in the process. ManipulationIt is necessary to keep in mind why James and John are lying about whose work it is. If James hands in a paper done originally by John, they are trying to mislead me as I evaluate their work. That is, John is trying to manipulate me so that I can give James a higher grade than what he deserves. He is trying to deceive me because he knows that this is something I cannot tolerate. He is trying to compromise me as a professional in my work by making me lie that I have certified James’s work as originally done by James. In addition, because I cannot accept to do that, John tries to trick me. This is the second ethical problem. John is using me for his own ends. Breaking the AgreementNotice there is a problem with these friends keeping their word. When they enrolled in the institution, they agreed to behave in a manner that they shall respect and adhere to the rules and regulations of the institution. This is similar to making an agreement. Part of the agreement is that they should only hand in their original works. Irrespective of who gets hurt, or who benefits by the deception, when James hands over John’s work or vice versa, the agreement made between them and the institution broke. It does not matter whether they signed the statement or pledged formally. The fact that they broke this agreement is a serious issue. The requirement that students should only hand in their original works makes it possible to evaluate, grade and offer degrees. Without this, it would be impossible to give grades and degrees. Their act means they made a false promise to the institution. This becomes unethical.Conflicting responsibilitiesMaybe these two great friends know they are breaking their word, but do you think there is justification for their actions. They may feel that they have conflicting responsibilities. For example, John can think that although he has an obligation to keep an agreement between him and the school, he also has an obligation to help his friend. After all, that is what defines a good friendship. He might see that keeping an agreement as being cold, abstract and rational. In addition, he may perceive that helping his friend is humane and promotes human good. After all, that is what being ethical means. Although he has a good point, he paints a picture showing conflicting responsibilities.InequalityThis arrangement between John and James creates inequality. This is because the conditions of judgment for these two friends and the rest of the students changes. This is like an unfair race where you have your friend run half for you while you cover the other half yet the rest of the runners are running the full course without getting assistance from anyone.9. Suggestions for Further ResearchThe consequencesThe fundamental question is does any real harm come because of what these two friends are doing? They can say that what they are doing is not stealing, they are not taking anything from anyone without their permission, and there is no loss to anyone. James can say that John does not suffer any harm in this arrangement. He can also say that if he graduates and becomes a psychologist, it will not matter to his patients whether he knows Boyle’s gas laws. However, it will matter greatly if he joins the medical school. With this, he can easily show that the bottom line is positive. However, if harm is a significant issue, then James can reason that by getting assistance from John to do the work, he is protecting himself from harm by the consequences of a reduced grade. These two friends can defend themselves by saying that they are both hardworking, they are helping each other, and that this arrangement is in fact, a self-defense strategy.In conclusion, if one carefully looks at this case, one could say that I he had proper justifications to help his friend, and that helping him being an orphan was more moral than obeying to school rules. However, the most significant thing to avoid this situation is to analyze your life values. If you rank honest higher than friendship, then you cannot help your friend cheat. This means that the solution to avoiding ethical dilemmas comes from having a clear rank of life value (Bulowski, 2009).

References

Bulowski, J. (2009). Managing Ethical Dilemmas. 6th ed. London: Queens Publishers.

Garber, P. (2008). The ethical dilemma. Amherst, Mass.: HRD Press.

Gates, R. (2013). Values and Ethics. New York Star, 3rd June, pp. 5-6.

Johnson, K. (2009). Ethical Dilemmas in School Institutions. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Roberts, G. (2013). Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas by Having a Clear Values System. Ethical Corporation, Iss. 120 pp. 15-16.