Ethical Dilemma.docx

Ethical Dilemma
American Public University
Terry Barnes


Abstract
When an individual is presented with two difficult moral choices, it can be defined as an ethical dilemma. Ethics is doing the right thing, choosing right from wrong, but it's not always that simple. Every person is raised with different values that help form their ethical/moral code. What is seen as right to some may be seen as wrong to others. We are currently in a society that passes by a person in need feeling relieved that they are not in that situation. A scenario will be discussed, where a researcher is interviewing a prison inmate and learns of an impending escape. The background of the researcher will determine how he reacts, ethically, in this situation. No matter the cultural background and upbringing, doing the right thing can become second nature. Each individual can assess the situation, take into account the needs of those affected by the situation, and add in their moral values to make a sound decision.



Ethical Dilemma
Ethics Defined
Ethics can be defined as moral principles that may include standards, rules of conduct, morality, and conscience (Briers, 2010). Kimberly Richmond, author of Powerful Selling, defines ethics as "a system that defines right and wrong and provides a guiding philosophy for every decision you make" (2012, pg. 1). The problem with ethics is that right and wrong are not universal. One of the core aspects of ethics are the values we hold near and dear to our hearts. Values help mold what is considered important. They are the foundation of how each individual lives their lives and in turn become the backbone of their ethical nature. On the other hand, values that they hold in high esteem may not be the same for their neighbor or their co-worker.
The environment that we are raised in and our cultures have a big impact on the values we develop. These values help build integrity. Values can change over time with growth and maturity but integrity should always stay the same. These items added together make up our ethical nature. They help us understand what to do in certain situations. Ethics leads us to believe we should do the right thing, not for profit, or because someone is watching, but simply "doing the right thing should be done for its own sake" (Ethics is just about doing the right thing, 2005).
Ethical Dilemma
An ethical dilemma is "a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of action, either of which entails transgressing a moral principle" (Oxford Dictionary, 2017). We will look at a situation where a researcher is interviewing a prisoner, and during the course of the interview the prisoner mentions a possible breakout. The right thing to do would be to inform a prison guard or the warden of the impending breakout, but first we must delve into the ethical background of the researcher. We could make an assumption that the researcher is from middle America, works for a company with a strict code of conduct, and is there to interview a convicted murderer. In this case, their moral background along with the backing of the rules of their place of employment may make them tell the appropriate authorities immediately.
Just to play devil's advocate, let us assume the researcher is from a low income inner city neighborhood, attending a community college, and interviewing a prisoner that has been given a long prison sentence for a simple marijuana possession. During the course of the interview the prisoner mentions a jailbreak. The values the researcher have been raised on preach self-interest and no snitching. An article by Gil Laroya goes into great detail about how our society loves to ignore other people's problems and leans toward the societal phrases, "it sucks to be you" and "every man for himself" (2014). The researcher may feel that it is in his best interest to leave the facilities before the event takes place as to not get caught up in the ruckus. He also believes that telling the authorities is a form of weakness, and could possibly come back to haunt him since the prisoner confided in him.
Whistleblowing
One of the most famous whistle-blowers in American history is Jeffrey Wigand. His testimony helped hold tobacco companies accountable for the damage they did to so many people's health as they lied about the effects for years. Jeffrey has been quoted as saying "the word whistle-blower suggests that you're a tattletale or that you're somehow disloyal", but "I was loyal to a higher order of ethical responsibility" (Richmond, 2012, pg. 32). Jeffrey Wigand's act was heroic and done in hopes of seeing justice prevail, but not everyone has the same strength or moral code to do what he did. A study conducted by Tom Marshall of the New York Times showed that participants believed more in loyalty even after witnessing an unethical event than whistleblowing after seeing the same event (2014). In the case of the researcher, he feels that by not taking part in the prison break he cannot be held accountable for what happens in the aftermath.
The opposite will be true in this case, if it is found out that the researcher had prior knowledge of the escape he will be held liable. In this scenario, a convicted felon could be roaming the streets if the escape is successful. Other inmates, guards, the warden, or even other visitors could be injured or worse during the escape. All of this could have been avoided if the researcher had a different ethical base. If he would have put aside his own self-interest, maybe he could have seen how the outcome would affect those around him. In the worse-case-scenario, individuals are injured, multiple prisoners escape, and the researcher is found guilty of aiding and abetting a crime. Possibly ending up in the same prison.
Never too late to Change
The good news is that a person's ethics are not set in stone. Values can change over time, with experience, which will enable individuals to look beyond their own selfish needs. Dr. Michael Walsh explains that "in order to know what do to in a given situation, we need to explore the issue carefully in terms of action involved, its consequences, and the context in which it takes place" (2003, pg. 1). The researcher may feel that looking the other way may fall into the "grey" ethical area but Susan Davis states that "honesty, transparency, trust, integrity, and respect" are key factors of any individual's ethical base (2014).
The key to this situation is doing the right thing. The researcher's ethical base may be different from the average American but assessing the situation may help in the final judgement. This can be done by recognizing the ethical issues at hand, processing the facts presented, taking as many affected parties interest into consideration, examining possible outcomes, adding in values, and making an informed decision (Walsh, 2003). Following this process or something similar is the best anyone can ask for in ethical dilemmas. It may not end up being the correct decision in the long run but the individual can only make a decision off of the information available and their ethical code.
Conclusion
In the case of the researcher being notified of a possible break out, the scenario is more malleable if the researcher has a high moral code and is representing a firm. His level of ethics along with the code of ethics that he is dictated to follow from his company will almost ensure that he does the right thing. Employees of organizations are bound by the ethical rules of their employer. Our researcher scenario did not have the backing of a company ethical code of conduct, just simply what he had amassed through his cultural upbringing. Self-preservation made him want to leave the scene immediately and the thought of snitching, or whistleblowing is seen as a negative where he comes from. It would also be a crime not to mention the jailbreak, but who would find out? Robert Hughes tells us that "just because you could get away with breaking the law doesn't mean you're entitled to morally" (2015).
The good news is that even though the researcher may not have the highest moral code he can still choose to do the right thing. Mike Omeri of the National Orientation Agency of Nigeria believes that "when we learn to think things through, it makes us good listeners and gain insight into people and situations" (Doing to right thing, 2012, pg. 2). Although the researcher has certain beliefs and disagrees with the reason for the prisoner's incarceration, he cannot overlook the prison break attempt. He should try to talk the prisoner out of attempting the break out and inform the guards of the plan. Not doing so could cause harm to many individuals and could even negatively affect the researcher. Doing the right thing sends positive vibes out into the world, it makes you feel good, and in the end, it's just the right thing to do (Edberg, 2017).




References
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Ethical Dilemma 4
Running head: Ethical Dilemma 1