Page 89 - Using MIS

DisCussion Questions

1. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is your ac- a. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is a deci-
tion not to present Leslie’s alternative ethical? sion not to postpone ethical?
2. According to utilitarianism, is your action not to present b. According to utilitarianism, is a decision not to post-
Leslie’s alternative ethical? pone ethical?
3. Assume: 6. Suppose Leslie learns you presented only your alterna-
a. You were right. Had the company embarked on tive, and you two become archenemies. To the compa-
Leslie’s alternative, it would have driven the com- ny’s disadvantage, the two of you are never able to work
pany into bankruptcy. Does this fact make your ac- together again. According to utilitarianism, does this
tions more ethical? Explain your answer. outcome change the ethics of your behavior?
b. You were wrong. Leslie’s alternative would have been 7. Suppose that instead of not presenting Leslie’s alterna-
far superior to yours for the company’s future. Does tive at all, you present it, but in a very negative light. You
this fact make your actions less ethical? Explain your are honest when you focus the bulk of your description
answer. of it on disadvantages because that’s what you believe.
4. In your opinion, do the intended consequences or the However, you also know that Leslie does not agree with
actual consequences have more bearing when assessing the way you see the situation. Given your biased presen-
ethics from a utilitarian perspective? tation, the committee selects your alternative.
5. You could postpone the meeting until Leslie is able to a. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is your
attend and thus allow Leslie to present the alternative to behavior ethical?
yours. Doing so, however, increases the likelihood that b. According to utilitarianism, is your behavior ethical?
the committee selects Leslie’s alternative, and you firmly 8. What would you do in this circumstance? Justify the
believe that decision will be fatal to the company. ethics of your decision.

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