CheckPoint: Interpretation of Ethical Systems Review the scenario in Situation 1 on p. 50 of the text.Write a 200- to 350-word paper in which you explain how you would respond to the scenario.
Address these ethical systems in relation to the scenario: ethical formalism, utilitarianism, religion, and natural law.
You are a manager of a retail store.You are given permission by the owner of the
store to hire a fellow classmate to help out. One day you see the classmate take
some clothing from the store.When confronted by you, the peer laughs it off and
says the owner is insured, no one is hurt, and it was under $100. “Besides,” says
your acquaintance,“friends stick together, right?”What would you do?
What?
You haven't posted a specific question, nor have you included what YOUR THOUGHTS on the subject are.
To respond to this scenario, we will analyze it from the perspectives of ethical formalism, utilitarianism, religion, and natural law.
Ethical formalism, also known as deontological ethics, focuses on duty and adherence to moral rules. In this case, ethical formalism would guide us to consider the moral rule against stealing. As a manager, you have a duty to uphold the ethical principles of the store, and allowing theft to occur contradicts this duty. Thus, your response should involve addressing the theft and taking appropriate actions, such as reporting the incident to the owner or HR department.
Utilitarianism bases morality on the greatest amount of overall happiness or benefits for the greatest number of people. In this case, utilitarianism would suggest that stealing affects the overall welfare of the store, its employees, and customers. To maximize happiness, you should take action to prevent stealing, as it could lead to negative consequences for various parties involved.
Religion can influence ethical decision-making through faith-based moral principles. Depending on personal religious beliefs, stealing may be perceived as a violation of religious teachings, such as the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" in Christianity. Consulting your religious beliefs could guide you to respond by adhering to the moral teachings of your religion and addressing the theft accordingly.
Natural law posits that there is a universal moral order inherent in nature. It suggests that certain actions are inherently right or wrong. Stealing goes against the principles of natural law, as it violates the inherent right to private property. From this perspective, it would be morally wrong to condone or ignore the theft, requiring you to take appropriate action.
In summary, considering ethical formalism, utilitarianism, religion, and natural law, the appropriate response to the scenario would involve addressing the theft and taking necessary actions to ensure the ethical principles of the store are upheld. This could include reporting the incident, implementing disciplinary measures, or providing education on ethical behavior.