Ethics: Right or Wrong?
Ethics: Right or Wrong?
How does one determine what is wrong or right, good or bad? There is always a distinct right or wrong answer to most questions, except when it comes to ethics. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ethics as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation” and as “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values” (“ethic,” defs. 1 and 2a). One individual’s ethics may not be the same as another. Their morals, what they were taught, and life experiences all differ and determine what they believe is right or wrong. As one gains experience from different situations in their life, the particulars of the ethics change, but the foundation stays the same.
Dexter Simmons found himself in a compromising situation at Beantown Consulting. His first project with Barresi Manufacturing was to contact the firms that supplied and sourced parts for Barresi’s top ten competitors. Dexter’s engagement manager, Markus Hensler, told him to not reveal the whole truth of who he was and what he was doing or else they would not provide the information needed. Dexter did not feel comfortable “having fun” or being creative with this project as it requires him to lie about what his true motives are. Hensler knew it made him uncomfortable and just told him it was standard operating procedure to get information they would not be able to get otherwise. To Dexter, the thought of having to lie for his job was very unsettling to him. From his reaction, one can reason that Dexter was raised never to lie no matter what anyone said. Dexter was also most likely never in a situation where he had to lie to get something he needed.
The ethical situation presented in this case ultimately deals with the necessity to lie. Dexter would be leading the competitive firms to believe he was nothing more than a student gathering information for a research project. This information would then be used to benefit Barresi is getting ahead of
How does one determine what is wrong or right, good or bad? There is always a distinct right or wrong answer to most questions, except when it comes to ethics. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ethics as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation” and as “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values” (“ethic,” defs. 1 and 2a). One individual’s ethics may not be the same as another. Their morals, what they were taught, and life experiences all differ and determine what they believe is right or wrong. As one gains experience from different situations in their life, the particulars of the ethics change, but the foundation stays the same.
Dexter Simmons found himself in a compromising situation at Beantown Consulting. His first project with Barresi Manufacturing was to contact the firms that supplied and sourced parts for Barresi’s top ten competitors. Dexter’s engagement manager, Markus Hensler, told him to not reveal the whole truth of who he was and what he was doing or else they would not provide the information needed. Dexter did not feel comfortable “having fun” or being creative with this project as it requires him to lie about what his true motives are. Hensler knew it made him uncomfortable and just told him it was standard operating procedure to get information they would not be able to get otherwise. To Dexter, the thought of having to lie for his job was very unsettling to him. From his reaction, one can reason that Dexter was raised never to lie no matter what anyone said. Dexter was also most likely never in a situation where he had to lie to get something he needed.
The ethical situation presented in this case ultimately deals with the necessity to lie. Dexter would be leading the competitive firms to believe he was nothing more than a student gathering information for a research project. This information would then be used to benefit Barresi is getting ahead of
References: "ethic." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010. Merriam-Webster Online. 10 November 2010 < http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethics> Professionals ' Quandaries, 9-800-371 (Harvard Business School April 18, 2000).