According to Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning, Level II Conventional Morality, Stage 3, individuals make moral decisions based on seeking approval from others and maintaining social order. They prioritize conforming to societal expectations and following rules to avoid punishment or disapproval.
In the given dilemma, Tony, a data analyst, faces a moral decision: whether to report his coworker Robert’s forbidden gambling activities while potentially incriminating himself for violating the company’s information technology regulations. Applying the logic of Level II Conventional Morality, Stage 3, Tony would consider the following thought process:
- Conforming to societal expectations: At this stage, Tony would likely prioritize conforming to societal norms and rules. He would consider the company’s policy against gambling to maintain social order and avoid any hint of conflict of interest.
- Seeking approval and avoiding disapproval: Tony would also be concerned about seeking approval from his superiors and colleagues. He would want to be seen as an honest and trustworthy employee by reporting Robert’s forbidden gambling activities.
- Avoiding punishment: Additionally, Tony would want to avoid any potential repercussions for himself if it were discovered that he had violated the company’s information technology regulations by accessing Robert’s computer.
Based on these considerations, Tony, at Level II Conventional Morality, Stage 3, would likely choose to report Robert’s gambling activities while acknowledging his own violation of the company’s IT regulations. He would prioritize conforming to the rules and seeking approval from his superiors, even if it means facing potential consequences for his own actions.
Concepts from the “Ultimate Cheatsheet for Critical Thinking” that can be applied in this response include:
- Ethical Decision-Making: Tony is faced with an ethical dilemma that requires him to consider the conflicting values of honesty, following rules, and avoiding conflicts of interest. By analyzing the situation and applying his moral reasoning, he can make an ethical decision that aligns with societal expectations and the company’s policies.
- Integrity: Tony faces the challenge of maintaining his integrity while also addressing the unethical behavior of his coworker. He must balance his own actions, which violated the company’s policies, with the need to report Robert’s forbidden gambling activities to uphold ethical standards.
- Accountability: Tony must take responsibility for his actions and be accountable for violating the company’s IT regulations. By reporting Robert’s gambling activities, he demonstrates accountability and a willingness to face the consequences of his own actions.
In conclusion, based on the logic of Level II Conventional Morality, Stage 3, Tony would choose to report Robert’s gambling activities while admitting his own violation of the company’s IT regulations. He prioritizes conforming to societal expectations, seeking approval, and avoiding punishment, adhering to the moral reasoning characteristic of this stage.
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