Assignment 4 Suggested Length: 1400 to 2000 words Ethical Theories to Apply: Utilitarianism, Universal Ethics, Golden Rule, Virtue Ethics Task You work in the Ethics Department for ABC Company (ABC).

Mariam Lakhani

07/17/2020

Facts

As an employee of ABC Company, Luke is supposed protect company information. Luke is working on a project that will have a direct impact on Owen's property. Owen, Luke's brother lives in the same neighbourhood where the ABC plans to set up an adult entertainment retail store. Once the store is unveiled, it will lead to a reduction in property value in the area.

Issue

One of the issues that Luke faces is maintaining confidentiality of company information. Luke is part of a company project that entails creating an adult entertainment retail store. Since the land where the store will be developed is situated in the area where Owen, Luke’s brother resides, Luke is aware of the consequences of the project on the property in the neighbourhood. Property value in the neighbourhood will reduce once the store is unveiled. The company will announce the project to the public in the next one month.

Another ethical issue is that Luke is worried that the project will affect his brother's property value since he is not aware of the planned project. SinceLuke has the information, he can choose to tell his brother about the project. It is important to note that there are ethical consequences associated with this decision. This is why Luke has a hard time choosing a cause of action.

Ethical Lenses and Analysis

In this scenario, we will apply two deontological theories, that is, utilitarianism and universal ethics (Kant’s categorical imperative).

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is based on the assertion that one should choose a cause of action that has the greatest good to the greatest number of people (Mill, 2016). Based on this theory, Luke’s cause of action should bring the greatest good to the majority. If Luke decides to tell Owen about the project, then his choice will benefit one person. Therefore, this cause of action is wrong as far as utilitarianism is concerned.

On the other hand, Luke’s decision to protect the company’s confidentiality will benefit the greatest number of people. Nevertheless, he will have betrayed his brother because he is in a position to protect him from financial issues that may affect him after the property value goes down.

Analysis

One of the consequences associated with the decision to inform Owen about the project is violation of company rules. Luke has access to confidential company information and he has to protect it. Notably, this decision can be detrimental to Luke if the management learns about his actions. He may lose his job and risk legal suits from the organization. Another consequence is damage of company reputation. Leakage of company information has an impact on the company’s reputation because the public will assume that the organization lacks effective policies to protect its information.

The decision to protect the information will harm Owen. Reduction in property value will affect his finances as it will be difficult to sell the house aa profit. Moreover, the relationship between the two brothers may be affected. Owen may learn that Luke knew about the company's plans and failed to warn him. Owen might feel betrayed by his brother's actions.

Universal Ethics

According to Kant’s categorical imperative, all people should be treated as ends not means (Kant, 2017). It based on respect for others and emphasizes on choosing causes of action based on reasoning. One’s should will that all rational persons follow the same rule. Luke should put himself in his brother’s shoes and try to understand what will happen if he does not tell him about the project. At the same time, he will need to evaluate the consequences of his actions to ensure that he makes a rational decision.

Analysis

Kant’s categorical imperative argues that an action is considered as a categorical imperative if its necessity is based on objective reasoning. Regardless of Luke’s action, his decision should not be dependent on other purposes. For instance, if he decides to inform his brother about the decision, he should do it because it is the right thing to do and not because of any other purpose. Essentially, his action should have no emotional inclination.

Conclusion

An ethical decision is to protect the company the company’s confidential information. Even if Owen finds out that Luke knew about the project, he can defend himself by highlighting the consequences of leaking organization’s confidential information. Anyhow, this situation forces Luke to make a difficult choice whereby all the choices of action have consequences. It is therefore important for Luke to consider all the possible causes of actions before making a decision.

References

Mill, J. S. (2016). Utilitarianism-Ed. Bailey. Broadview Press.

Kant, I. (2017). The Good Will and the Categorical Imperative. The European Philosophers from Descartes to Nietzsche, 470-76.

Österberg, J. (2019). Deontological Ethics: Assessment. In Towards Reunion in Ethics (pp. 61-92). Springer, Cham.