A. Select a nonfictional leader who you feel has exhibited exemplary ethical conduct and do the following:
Discuss two ethical traits your chosen leader has demonstrated.
One nonfictional leader who has exhibited exemplary ethical conduct is Mahatma Gandhi. Two ethical traits that Gandhi demonstrated throughout his life are integrity and nonviolence.
Integrity: Gandhi was known for his unwavering commitment to honesty, truthfulness, and moral uprightness. He believed in practicing what he preached and held himself to the same moral standards that he expected from others. His integrity was evident in his actions, speeches, and writings, making him a trusted and respected leader.
Nonviolence: Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, or ahimsa, was a cornerstone of his ethical conduct. He believed in resolving conflicts and bringing about social change through peaceful means. Gandhi’s approach to nonviolence was not passive or weak but rather a powerful tool for social transformation. He demonstrated the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance in various movements, including India’s struggle for independence from British rule.
Explain how your chosen leader has exhibited ethical conduct.
Gandhi exhibited ethical conduct through his actions and principles. He practiced what he preached, leading by example and inspiring millions around the world. His commitment to truth, nonviolence, and justice guided his decisions and actions.
Gandhi’s ethical conduct was evident in his leadership during the Indian independence movement. He advocated for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their caste or religion, promoting equality and social justice. He fought against discrimination, poverty, and oppression, dedicating his life to creating a more just and inclusive society.
Furthermore, Gandhi’s ethical conduct extended to his personal life. He lived a simple and humble lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and selflessness. He believed in the power of self-sacrifice for the greater good and encouraged others to follow the path of righteousness.
B. Compare the deontological and consequentialist perspectives and how each perspective would approach the dilemma from the scenario.
The scenario presented raises an ethical dilemma regarding the disclosure of potential side effects of a medical device. Let’s examine how deontological and consequentialist perspectives would approach this dilemma:
Deontological Perspective:
The deontological perspective focuses on the inherent nature of actions rather than their consequences. It holds that certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes.
From a deontological standpoint, it is ethically imperative to disclose the potential side effect of the artificial knee joint, despite the nondisclosure agreement signed by the sales representative. Deontologists believe in absolute principles such as honesty, transparency, and respect for autonomy. In this case, these principles would require the sales representative to prioritize the well-being and safety of patients over contractual obligations.
Consequentialist Perspective:
The consequentialist perspective evaluates actions based on their outcomes or consequences. It emphasizes maximizing overall happiness or utility.
From a consequentialist standpoint, disclosing the potential side effect would depend on weighing the overall benefits and harms. If the number of patients benefiting from the less expensive joint and reduced healing time outweighs the small percentage at risk of a serious infection, consequentialists might argue against disclosure.
However, considering that the infection is potentially lethal, consequentialists may still advocate for disclosure to prevent harm to patients and protect public trust in the medical industry.
C. Identify and explain which level of cognitive moral development is represented in the scenario for each of the following questions:
Which action would most likely serve the greater good in society?
The level of cognitive moral development represented here is postconventional. Postconventional thinkers consider ethical principles beyond societal norms or personal interests when determining what serves the greater good.
In this scenario, a postconventional thinker would likely prioritize patient safety and well-being over financial gain or professional obligations. They would recognize that disclosing potential side effects is essential for maintaining trust in medical devices and ensuring patient safety.
If I reveal this information, will I get into trouble and possibly even lose my job?
The level of cognitive moral development represented here is preconventional. Preconventional thinkers focus on avoiding punishment or seeking personal benefit when making ethical decisions.
A preconventional thinker might be more concerned about the personal consequences of revealing information that goes against their nondisclosure agreement. Fear of losing their job or facing repercussions may influence their decision-making process.
Which action best aligns with my long-held belief in the principle of justice?
The level of cognitive moral development represented here is conventional. Conventional thinkers base their ethical decisions on societal norms, expectations, and conformity to rules.
For someone at this level, aligning with their long-held belief in the principle of justice would mean adhering to their contractual obligations and following company policies regarding nondisclosure agreements. They might prioritize maintaining professional relationships and fulfilling their duties within the organization over individual judgments of what is right or wrong.
What do the laws say, and what would a law-abiding citizen do?
The level of cognitive moral development represented here is conventional. Conventional thinkers rely on external rules and laws to guide their ethical decision-making.
A conventional thinker would likely consult legal regulations regarding nondisclosure agreements and consider what a law-abiding citizen should do in this situation. They may prioritize following legal requirements over personal judgments about what is morally right or wrong.
If I keep quiet, will I get some sort of reward?
The level of cognitive moral development represented here is preconventional. Preconventional thinkers focus on seeking personal benefits or avoiding punishment when making ethical decisions.
A preconventional thinker might be tempted by the possibility of receiving rewards or benefits for keeping quiet about the potential side effect of the medical device. They may prioritize personal gain over ethical considerations.
D. Reflect on your Ethical Lens Inventory (ELI) by doing the following:
Explain your preferred ethical lens, relevant to the ELI.
Based on my Ethical Lens Inventory (ELI), my preferred lens is Rights and Responsibility. This lens focuses on ensuring fairness, justice, and respect for individual rights while recognizing the importance of fulfilling duties and obligations.
a. Analyze whether you have the same preferred lens in different settings (e.g., work, personal, social).
In different settings, such as work, personal life, or social interactions, my preferred lens may remain consistent or vary slightly based on contextual factors. For example, at work, I may emphasize professionalism, teamwork, and fulfilling responsibilities within an organizational structure. In personal life and social interactions, I may prioritize empathy, mutual respect, and maintaining healthy relationships.
Explain one of your primary values and one classical virtue from the ELI.
a. Compare your primary value from part D2 with one of your own self-identified or personal values. Then compare your classical virtue from part D2 with a different self-identified or personal value.
One primary value from my ELI is fairness, which aligns with my self-identified value of equality. Both fairness and equality emphasize treating individuals impartially and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Regarding classical virtues, one virtue from my ELI is wisdom. Wisdom involves seeking knowledge, considering different perspectives, and making sound judgments based on understanding and experience. This virtue aligns with my self-identified value of continuous learning. Both values emphasize the importance of acquiring knowledge and applying it to make informed decisions.
Describe one of the following from your ELI: blind spot, risk, double standard, vice.
a. Discuss two steps you can take to mitigate the blind spot, risk, double standard, or vice described in part D3 to make better ethical decisions in the future.
One aspect from my ELI that I will discuss is risk-taking. Risk-taking can involve taking actions without fully considering potential negative consequences or overlooking potential harm to others.
To mitigate this risk-taking tendency and make better ethical decisions in the future:
Step 1: Develop a habit of conducting thorough risk assessments before making important decisions. This involves identifying potential risks or negative impacts on stakeholders and considering alternative courses of action that minimize harm.
Step 2: Seek input from others who may provide different perspectives or challenge assumptions to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of potential risks and ethical implications.
Discuss how the information from your ELI could be applied to an ethical situation in the workplace.
The information from my ELI can be applied to an ethical situation in the workplace by guiding my decision-making process and behavior:
By prioritizing fairness and equal treatment in workplace interactions.
By considering different perspectives and seeking wisdom when faced with challenging decisions.
By recognizing potential blind spots or biases that may influence my judgments.
By addressing risks associated with certain actions or decisions through thorough analysis.
By avoiding double standards or inconsistent application of rules or policies.
By cultivating virtues such as integrity and honesty to maintain ethical conduct in professional relationships.
By recognizing potential vices or unethical tendencies within myself and actively working towards personal growth and improvement.
Applying these principles can help create a positive work environment that promotes fairness, respect, and ethical behavior among colleagues.
E. Submit a copy of the PDF file with the results from your ELI as a separate document.
[Attached as a separate document: PDF file with results from Ethical Lens Inventory (ELI)]
F. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
