Exam 1: Ethical Theory, Philosophical Foundations, Our Reasoning Flaws, and Types of Ethical Dilemmas

Submitting a new pair of shoes as a travel expense is an example of a dishonest act.

A radar detector:

Ben Small, a sole practitioner, has just decided to form a law partnership with his lifetime friend, Harvey Steptoe. They agree to name the firm Steptoe and Small and to split all profits. Ben is also a director for a publicly-traded telecommunications firm, NewVector, Inc. Ben has just learned that Harvey is lead counsel is a lawsuit against NewVector. Ben continues to serve as a board member and participates in sensitive discussions about the lawsuit. Ben does not disclose that Steptoe is his partner. Ben's feeling is that he and Harvey are as honest as the day is long and neither would compromise their duties to NewVector and client, respectively.

"It's a gray area," is an example of ethical analysis.

A conflict of interest is unethical only if those involved actually change their decision based on the benefits to be derived.

Beth Williams is an exercise physiologist who serves as an expert consultant for Women's Walkers, Inc., a shoe company specializing in manufacturing walking shoes for women. Dr. Williams is paid an annual consulting fee along with additional fees for drafting reports and making media and public appearances for the company. Executive Woman, a national magazine, has asked Dr. Williams to serve as one of three experts on a panel that will evaluate the full market range of women's walking shoes. Dr. Williams will be paid a consulting fee by Executive Woman as well.

The Theory of Justice is the same as the Categorical Imperative.

Under the Rights Theory, who holds the responsibility for protection of rights?

Priscilla Ceballos's 6-year-old daughter is a fan of Hannah Montana and wanted to go to a Hannah Montana concert. A radio station was offering two tickets to the Hannah Montana concert for the child who wrote the winning essay. Ms. Ceballos and her daughter wrote an essay that detailed an account of their husband/father dying in the war on Iraq. The problem was that their husband/father was not in Iraq and certainly not dead. When the fake essay was uncovered, Ms. Ceballos said, "We did the essay, and that's what we did to win. . . We did whatever we could to win." The company revoked the prize and the award of the tickets. Suppose the contest rules did not spell out that the essay had to be based on true and verifiable facts. What could the radio station rely on in revoking the prize and still have public support for its decision?

In the "Parable of the Sadhu," the hikers don't know why the Sadhu is on the mountain.

It is not plagiarism to use facts obtained from several sources that are footnoted or listed as sources.

Locke and Rawls develop their ethical theory on the basis of a tabula rasa.

John Locke is the creator of the Self-Interest Theory.

Which philosopher is associated with the Rights Theory?

Which of the following does the Sadhu represent in the "Parable of the Sadhu"?

Your company's policy on company vehicles is that no family members may use them or ride in them. It would be unethical to use a company car to drive you and your spouse to a movie.

The Declaration of Independence relied on which ethical school of thought?

If my supervisor asked me to cover for him by lying about his whereabouts, I should agree to do it but remind him that I can't make it a habit.

The mayor owns property next to one of the proposed sites for the city's new baseball stadium. The mayor has a conflict of interest and should not vote on the location of the stadium when the city council takes action on the site.

Ethical egoism is selfishness.