Page 343 - Using MIS

DisCussion Questions

1. Suppose that a river rafting company starts a group with food poisoning. One of those clients from that
on a social networking site for promoting rafting trips. trip writes a poor review because of that experience.
Graham, a 15-year-old high school student who wants Is it ethical for you to delete that review from your
to appear more grown-up than he is, posts a picture of a site? Again, consider both the categorical and utilitarian
handsome 22-year-old male as a picture of himself. He perspectives.
also writes witty and clever comments on the site photos 4. Instead of being the owner, suppose you were at one
and claims to play the guitar and be an accomplished time employed by this rafting company and you were,
masseur. Suppose someone decided to go on the rafting undeservedly you think, terminated. To get even, you
trip, in part because of Graham’s postings, and was dis- use Facebook to spread rumors to your friends (many
appointed with the truth about Graham. of whom are river guides) about the food quality of the
a. Are Graham’s actions ethical? Consider both the company’s trips.
categorical imperative (pages 20–21) and utilitarian a. Are your actions legal?
(pages 56–57) perspectives. b. Are your actions unethical? Consider both the cat-
b. According to either ethical perspective, does the raft- egorical imperative and utilitarian perspectives.
ing company have an ethical responsibility to refund c. Do you see any ethical distinctions between this situ-
that person’s fees? ation and that in question 3?
2. Suppose you own and manage the rafting company in 5. Again, suppose that you were at one time employed by
question 1. the rafting company and were undeservedly terminated.
a. Is it unethical for you to encourage your employ- Using the company owner’s name and other identifying
ees to write positive reviews about your company? data, you create a false Facebook account for her. You’ve
Use both the categorical imperative and utilitarian known her for many years and have dozens of photos of
perspectives. her, some of which were taken at parties and are unflatter-
b. Does your assessment change if you ask your em- ing and revealing. You post those photos along with criti-
ployees to use an email address other than the one cal comments that she made about clients or employees.
they have at work? Use both the categorical impera- Most of the comments were made when she was tired or
tive and utilitarian perspectives. frustrated, and they are hurtful but, because of her wit, also
3. Suppose your rafting company has a Web site for cus- humorous. You send friend invitations to people whom
tomer reviews. Despite your best efforts at camp cleanli- she knows, many of whom are the target of her biting and
ness, on one trip (out of dozens) your staff accidentally critical remarks. Are your actions unethical? Again, use
serves contaminated food and everyone becomes ill both the categorical and utilitarian perspectives.

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