Applying Virtue Ethics in the Real World
Applying Virtue Ethics in the Real World
MGT407 M1:A1
03 – MAR – 2012 Read the Ethical Dilemma on page 106 of the Nelson & Quick text. Answer the following questions.
1. Summarize the dilemma.
2. Using consequential, rule-based, and character theories, evaluate Juanita 's options
3. What should Juanita do? Why?
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Whenever a young child is faced with a dilemma or reaches and ethical crossroads so often a parent will simply say “Do the right thing” or “Do unto others as you want done unto you.” The child then proceeds with their actions, right or wrong, and learns from these mistakes and pieces of advice that is trickled in over the path they travel during their lifetime. However, unlike the aforementioned child when adults reach a similar crossroads or ethical dilemma it may not always seem as easy as doing the right thing or applying the golden rule. There are times when right doesn’t always mean right and a choice needs to be made between right and more right or wrong and less wrong. In these situations our virtues and character developed over time are the guides used that need to be used. In the ethical dilemma presented in the text Organizational Behavior the author Nelson (2011) presents a very unique situation. A department manager, Juanita Maxwell, spends countless hours and effort getting to know her staff. Their likes and dislikes, family lives, and personal codes of conduct are all important to her. She often tailors meetings and special assignments to the strengths she learns about each staff member. However, after hiring a new team member, Sandra, she discovers she is not as easily read as other team members she has worked with for many years. Sandra is often withdrawn at the office and seems very timid when approached at work. Yet in the social setting of a company picnic she livens right up laughing and joking with the rest of the staff. Still upon
MGT407 M1:A1
03 – MAR – 2012 Read the Ethical Dilemma on page 106 of the Nelson & Quick text. Answer the following questions.
1. Summarize the dilemma.
2. Using consequential, rule-based, and character theories, evaluate Juanita 's options
3. What should Juanita do? Why?
------------------------------------------
Whenever a young child is faced with a dilemma or reaches and ethical crossroads so often a parent will simply say “Do the right thing” or “Do unto others as you want done unto you.” The child then proceeds with their actions, right or wrong, and learns from these mistakes and pieces of advice that is trickled in over the path they travel during their lifetime. However, unlike the aforementioned child when adults reach a similar crossroads or ethical dilemma it may not always seem as easy as doing the right thing or applying the golden rule. There are times when right doesn’t always mean right and a choice needs to be made between right and more right or wrong and less wrong. In these situations our virtues and character developed over time are the guides used that need to be used. In the ethical dilemma presented in the text Organizational Behavior the author Nelson (2011) presents a very unique situation. A department manager, Juanita Maxwell, spends countless hours and effort getting to know her staff. Their likes and dislikes, family lives, and personal codes of conduct are all important to her. She often tailors meetings and special assignments to the strengths she learns about each staff member. However, after hiring a new team member, Sandra, she discovers she is not as easily read as other team members she has worked with for many years. Sandra is often withdrawn at the office and seems very timid when approached at work. Yet in the social setting of a company picnic she livens right up laughing and joking with the rest of the staff. Still upon
References: Bigg Success Staff. (2008, August 5). 3 Steps to Solve an Ethical Dilemma. Retrieved March 3, 2012, from Bigg Success website: http://biggsuccess.com/bigg-articles/3-steps-to-solve-an-ethical-dilemma/ Dolan, S., & Lingham, T. (2012). Chapter 13: Emerging and Contemporary Themes in Global Organizational Behavior. In Introduction to International Organizational Behavior. Retrieved March 3, 2012, from Bookeducator.com website: http://www.introtoob.com/textbook/introtoob/chapter13/ Dr. Garrett. (2005, November 28). Virtue Ethics. Retrieved March 3, 2012, from Western Kentucky University website: http://www.wku.edu/~jan.garrett/ethics/virtthry.htm Nelson, D. L., & Quick, J. C. (2011). Ch2 - Ch3. In Organizational Behavior (pp. 54-56, 106-107). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.