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After reading the Ethical Dilemma Case in Chapter 2 of your text, answer the questions at the end of the case, What do you do, and on what basis do you make your decision?
Sample Answer
Ethical Dilemma Case Analysis: What Do You Do?
In the ethical dilemma presented in Chapter 2, a software engineer working for a small technology startup discovers a serious flaw in the company’s new product that could potentially harm users. The engineer faces a choice between reporting the issue to management, risking the project’s cancellation and potential job loss, or staying silent and allowing the product to be released with the flaw, putting users at risk.
What Do You Do?
In this scenario, the most ethical course of action for the software engineer would be to report the flaw to management, despite the potential consequences. By speaking up about the issue, the engineer is fulfilling their duty to prioritize the safety and well-being of users over personal gain or job security. It is essential to act with integrity and honesty, even when faced with difficult decisions that may have negative repercussions.
Basis for Decision
The decision to report the flaw is based on several ethical principles and considerations:
1. Utilitarianism: By reporting the flaw and preventing potential harm to users, the engineer is adhering to the principle of maximizing overall welfare and minimizing harm. The long-term benefits of ensuring product safety outweigh the short-term costs of project delays or job uncertainty.
2. Professional Responsibility: As a software engineer, the individual has a professional obligation to uphold ethical standards and prioritize the public interest. Failing to report a known defect that could harm users would be a violation of professional ethics and integrity.
3. Consequentialism: Considering the potential consequences of both actions, the decision to report the flaw aligns with the ethical theory of consequentialism, which focuses on the outcomes of actions. In this case, the positive consequences of preventing harm outweigh any negative outcomes for the engineer.
4. Personal Integrity: Making decisions based on personal values and integrity is crucial in ethical dilemmas. By choosing to act honestly and ethically, the engineer demonstrates a commitment to moral principles and ethical conduct, even in challenging circumstances.
In conclusion, when faced with an ethical dilemma such as the one presented in Chapter 2, it is essential to consider the broader ethical implications of each decision and choose the course of action that upholds the highest ethical standards and values. Reporting the flaw in the product may involve risks and uncertainties, but it is ultimately the right thing to do for the well-being of users and for maintaining professional integrity and ethical conduct.
