Ethical Dilemma
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a subdivision of philosophy, dealing with questions about morality. Societies, religions, professional groups all around the globe have their own principles or standards of conduct, which are followed by their members (Davis, Fowler, & Aroskar, 1997). Ethics is concerned with what is right, and what is wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair, responsible or irresponsible, it relates to what we ought to do in terms of rights, obligations, and benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. It is not just about what the case is or what is most acceptable or convenient (Preston, 1996). In the case study The Typo, writer is placed in a head of marketing position in a small, struggling, pharmaceutical company, which is introducing very promising drug to the market. The future existence of the company depends on successful placement of that drug. However, there is a typographical error in all print material about site effects of that drug. Marketing manager has an ethical dilemma, stop the marketing campaign and correct the “typo”, consequently future existence of his company will be in jeopardy, or to take a risk and go ahead with campaign without letting anyone know about the “typo”. This essay will describe ethical dilemmas and their characteristics, continuing by ethical dilemma marketing manager are confronted with. Discussion on defensible moral judgements after that will be followed by introduction of two consequentialist theories namely egoism and utilitarianism and Kant’s ethics as one of non-consequentialist theory, which should assist marketing manager in making a justifiable moral judgement.
Ethical dilemmas are placing individuals in complex situations were no obvious solution is clear (Shaw, Barry & Sansbury, 2007). When we are confronted with two or more moral principles, and we are equally dedicated to all of them then we are dealing with moral dilemma. MacNiven (1993, p. 3) identify, ’If both
Ethical dilemmas are placing individuals in complex situations were no obvious solution is clear (Shaw, Barry & Sansbury, 2007). When we are confronted with two or more moral principles, and we are equally dedicated to all of them then we are dealing with moral dilemma. MacNiven (1993, p. 3) identify, ’If both
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