answer10

Discuss an ethical dilemma you have faced in your organizational life -- how did you decide to act or not to act.

In different situations, especially with different levels of impact to the organization, I will often take different normative ethical approaches to the situation.

For example, I have sometimes taken an egoist stance when it comes to using a work copier to make personal copies -- I was justified in making copies only because it benefitted me, not because of any consideration of the organization. In my ethical interpretation it was only right and okay to do because I did not see it as 'hurting' anyone, and because it certainly benefited me. However, from another standpoint, such as that of the policy stance, I was clearly in the wrong.

I decided to act in my own self interest because I did not believe that my actions would impact the liberty (freedom) of the organization to continue in their tasks, which could be called a libertarian view. Since it was not an unreasonable financial, material, or productivity burden on the organization, in my estimation, this ethical stance would support me.

The Utilitarian view, which asks whether the greatest number of people would be happier as a result of the outcome or not, is clearly against my action. I might be happy with the outcome, but my boss, co-workers, and other peers, leaders, and stakeholders might be upset with the scenario described above.

Kantian views might be difficult to apply here, because they are concerned with intent, rather than outcome. If I intend not to hurt the organization, but to simply get a few copies for free, in such a way and manner that does not in my estimation, hurt the operation of the company, my intent is not to harm, and Kant might say I'm clear.

Moral decision making asks us to look critically at the situation and come up with more complex, detailed solutions, based on facts and discussion of ideas. I've thought about this kind of action a lot since doing it, and I've since decided it is easier and more ethical to refrain from this kind of behavior because despite a relative lack of potential monetary or productivity harm resulting from a few copies, many other consequences can result. On grounds of policy, I might be dismissed, which would harm my family. I might lose the respect and collegiality of my peers and leaders. I might have to lie about the use in an audit, which adds to policy offenses. I might compare the action to what I'd do to a love one (e.g. would I steal from my mother?) which adds a layer of consideration. None of that is worth stealing a few copies.