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

What did the Blue Bunny and Volkswagen cases have in common?

Which best describes the Categorical Imperative?

Your supervisor has had a calendar with pictures of naked women on the inside panel of his desk for several months. A secretary spotted the calendar and commented to your supervisor that it was not appropriate for an office. Your supervisor took down the calendar and has asked you to back him up if any complaints are filed. He has asked you to say that you never saw the calendar. It would not be unethical for you to do as your supervisor requests because he has removed the calendar.

Volkswagen's internal investigation revealed "yes-men" in its ranks.

The goals of Locke and Rawls in developing their theory of ethics:

The University of North Carolina refused to allow its special admits program to be used for admitting student-athletes.

A recent survey found that 24% of Americans feel that it is always wrong to speed. In which of the following schools of ethical thought would this 24% fit best?

Winking tolerance is associated with what category of ethical dilemma?

If you have as a standard that you will always tell the truth, regardless of pressures or cost, which ethical philosophy are you following?

Temporary chaos can result as markets make adjustments under Adam Smith's theories.

Volkswagen entered a guilty plea to criminal charges of emission falsification.

In 1991, James McElveen fell 30 feet from a waterfall and broke his back. He was employed by a small business and had no medical insurance. His lifetime friend, Benny Milligan, was with him when the fall occurred. Benny took James to the emergency room. Moved by his friend's severe injuries and pain and suffering and realizing that James did not have insurance, Benny switched IDs with James in the hospital emergency room. James required surgery to fuse his back to avoid what doctors said would have been certain paralysis. The cost of the surgery and hospitalization was $41,107.45. Neither James, employed as a mechanic, nor Benny, employed as a painter, could have paid for the surgery and follow-up care. Benny's employer's insurance paid for the surgery because the hospital took the information from Benny's ID found in James' pockets. While Benny was contemplating telling his employer, someone notified the insurance company of the switch. Benny, James, and Benny's wife, Tammy Milligan, were charged and convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy. Tammy, because of the Milligans' three young daughters, is serving her sentence through home confinement, Benny is serving 9 months and James is serving 7 months. All three will serve three years on probation and pay restitution. Benny states, "I know what I did was wrong. But I look back on it, and I feel that I had to do it at the time. I don't feel like I'm a criminal in the sense of rapers, muggers and murderers."   Benny said he did not understand that a hospital has an obligation to treat someone who is dying. Friends testified that as they were racing James to the hospital they told Benny that hospitals in the area had routinely refused to provide medical treatment. Benny said he wanted to tell his employer, but he was afraid he would be fired and then be stuck with the bill. Tammy adds that the government is right to demand restitution but wrong to imprison them. James asked the judge if he could go to prison for all three of them, "I would be lost without my friendship with Benny. I probably would be dead." a. Benny and James committed an illegal act. Was it unethical? b.What punishment is appropriate in the case? c. If you were Benny's employer, what would you have done?

John Rawls is a contractarian.

Grayson is doing his laundry in the laundry facilities located in the basement of his dorm. When he is preparing to move his clothes from a washer to a dryer, Sheila points out that there is a broken dryer in the corner. Sheila explains that the dryer will begin if you put in 50 cents, but it will keep going if you just keep throwing more clothes in. The dryer is supposed to run for 15 minutes and then require another 50 cents. Sheila tells Grayson, "It makes doing your laundry a lot cheaper." Discuss the ethical issue and what Grayson should do.

Alice is a secretary in your department. Alice is also a member of the American Guild of Organists. Alice has been placed in charge of the Guild's national convention. Each time you pass by Alice's desk or go to her to have some work done, you notice she is on the phone discussing or working on the convention. Alice's work on the convention during work hours is an ethical violation.

Make a list of who is affected when you do not pay back your student loans.

If you are fired from your job, you can use any information you gained while employed to help your next employer.

Mary Pickford is an analyst for Munford Stanley, an investment banker. She has touted the stock, an initial primary offering (IPO), of an obscure biotech firm as a "must buy." Munford Stanley is the underwriter for the IPO. Pickford:

Laura Nash provides tools for examining how a company got into an ethical dilemma.

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.