Question 1

Randy White is the executive director of a non-profit preschool for special needs children. Part of Randy's responsibilities include fundraising for the preschool. Because of his experience and success in operating specialty pre-schools, Randy is sought after as a consultant at locations around the country to assist in the start-up and operation of such facilities. Randy does so quite frequently. Randy does not take vacation time for this work, and his consultant fees (which range from $750 - $1500 per day) are kept by him as personal income. Randy uses his secretary at the preschool to book his travel arrangements and prepare his consultant reports and bills for these outside engagements.

Accepted Answer

Randy is using the time and resources of his employer (his secretary) for his personal outside engagements, which is a violation of his duty of loyalty to the non-profit preschool. He should use his own resources to book his travel arrangements and prepare his consultant reports and bills. Additionally, his activities could create a conflict of interest if he uses the knowledge and resources gained from his consulting work to benefit his employer. Therefore, Randy's activities are unethical and in violation of his duty of loyalty to his employer.

Question 2

Edward Snowden released classified documents that were stored at his employers' archives. He works for a government agency. He released them because he felt U.S. citizens should know what kind of information their government was keeping about them. Which of the following is a correct statement?

Accepted Answer

Snowden took classified documents from his employer, which were government property, making his actions unauthorized and illegal, regardless of his intentions.

Question 3

Rick Hechtor worked for Toyota on the development of one of its models, the Corolla. Rick left Toyota in 2005 and became an independent automotive engineering consultant. When the issues with the alleged sudden acceleration in some Toyota models emerged, Rick was contacted by several lawyers who were representing Corolla owners who had been injured in their Corollas when they said their cars accelerated suddenly. Rick has agreed to serve as an expert witness for these plaintiffs in their suits against Toyota.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rick Hechtor worked for Toyota on the...

Question 4

Ralph has used all but one day of his personal leave time (PLT). His company's policy is that PLT can be used for illness, family needs, or medical appointments. Ralph has used his PLT days when he was hung over or when a friend wanted to spend the day with him. Ralph's grandmother, to whom he is very close, passed away, and he would like to go to her funeral, but it will take a day of travel, a day for the funeral, and a day to return. Ralph has asked his supervisor for additional time off in order to go to the funeral. Which of the following is correct?

Accepted Answer

Ralph, being in the position of an employer, might view the importance of adhering to PLT policies and the implications of granting additional leave differently, considering the impact on operations and precedent it sets.

Question 5

Which category of ethical dilemma applies to dog walkers who do not scoop up after their pets?

Accepted Answer

Not following the rules. Dog owners have a responsibility to pick up after their pets in order to maintain cleanliness and prevent health hazards. Not doing so is a violation of the rules, and can potentially harm others.

Question 6

In a discussion about his company's decision on whether to sell aircraft to Iran, a known sponsor of terrorist groups, the CEO said, "I just can't see that the newspapers will paint this as a good thing." What ethical test is the CEO applying in making the decision?

Accepted Answer

The CEO is applying Warren Buffett's test, which asks individuals to consider whether they would be comfortable with their decision being published in newspapers for all to see. This suggests that the CEO is concerned with the public perception of the company's actions, indicating a focus on reputation and ethical considerations.

Question 7

What rationalization do students offer for cheating?

Accepted Answer

Students often feel immense pressure to succeed and achieve good grades, which can lead them to rationalize cheating as a means to achieve their goals.

Question 8

Grace Jenkins has a small counter in a beauty shop where she sells designer-like bags. Grace says, "They are not the real thing. They are not priced like the real thing. My customers know that, but these bags make people happy because that have a feeling of living like the rich and famous. I sell happiness, not bags with trademarks." Which of the following ethical categories would apply to what Grace is doing?

Accepted Answer

Grace's actions fall under "Giving or allowing false impression" because she sells designer-like bags that could mislead customers into thinking they are purchasing genuine designer products. Additionally, this situation could be seen as "Violating the rules" if the bags infringe on trademark laws, even if she claims they are not the real thing.

Question 9

Megyn Kelly, a Fox News Anchor, is interviewing a physician about the impact of Obamacare. The physician is a partner with Ms. Kelly's ex-husband.

Accepted Answer

Ms. Kelly needs to disclose the relationship as it may be viewed as a conflict of interest that could potentially influence her reporting or the physician's responses during the interview.

Question 10

Lance Armstrong says that he looked up the meaning of the word "cheat" in the dictionary when he was using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The dictionary defined cheating as "using an unfair advantage in a competition."   Mr. Armstrong believed that PEDs were used by his competitors and felt it was ethical to continue using them. Which rationalization did Mr. Armstrong use?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Armstrong used the rationalization "everyone does it." He believed that other athletes were also using PEDs, so he felt justified in using them as well.

Question 11

"We all don't share the same ethics," is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of rationalization, which means someone justifying their actions or beliefs based on their own personal values or ethics rather than objective reasoning or external standards. Utilitarianism and justice and rights are ethical frameworks or principles, but they do not apply to the statement directly. The slippery slope refers to a hypothetical chain of events where one action leads to another with increasingly negative consequences.

Question 12

What rationalization do most speeders use to justify driving in excess of the speed limit?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that many people justify speeding by believing that "everyone else does it" or that it is a social norm. This rationalization can lead to a dangerous culture of speeding on the roads.

Question 13

What did the inspection reports of Blue Bell Ice Cream not indicate?

Accepted Answer

The inspection reports indicated the presence of Listeria in the plants and recall creep, but they did not specifically mention damaged equipment.

Question 14

Into which group would those who falsify rèsumés fall?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Into which group would those who falsify...

Question 15

The standard of a fair wage was used as an example to illustrate:

Accepted Answer

Kant's Categorical Imperative is based on the principle of treating others as ends in themselves rather than means to an end. The standard of a fair wage aligns with this principle as it requires that workers be paid a just wage for their labor, rather than being treated as mere instruments for the profit of their employer.

Question 16

The CEO of a struggling company explained to his board the need for terminating employees in order to reduce cost, and added, "I can lay off 2,000 employees now or have all 12,000 of them lose their jobs when the company has to declare bankruptcy." Which of the following school of ethical thought is the CEO following?

Accepted Answer

The CEO's statement reflects the utilitarianism school of thought, which prioritizes maximizing the overall good for the greatest number of people. In this case, the CEO is suggesting that laying off 2,000 employees would be the best option to reduce cost and prevent bankruptcy, which would result in all 12,000 employees losing their jobs. This decision is based on the utilitarian principle of minimizing overall harm and maximizing overall benefit.

Question 17

If you have as a standard that you will always tell the truth, regardless of pressures or cost, which ethical philosophy are you following?

Accepted Answer

The ethical philosophy of virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of moral character and personal integrity. It focuses on the development of good habits and traits, such as honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. By making a standard of always telling the truth, even when there may be pressures or cost, one is embodying the virtue of honesty.

Question 18

Pam purchased a quesadilla at Taco Bell for lunch. She also asked for a water cup, which is free and to be used to get water at the soda fountain. Pam used the water cup to get Pepsi. Which of the following is correct?

Accepted Answer

Pam's action of using a water cup to get Pepsi instead of water constitutes taking something that she did not pay for, which is considered taking something that does not belong to her.

Question 19

Which of the following categories does fraternity hazing fit into?

Accepted Answer

Fraternity hazing is considered a form of interpersonal abuse as it involves harmful or humiliating actions directed at individuals within a group setting.

Question 20

Grace Jenkins has a small counter in a beauty shop where she sells designer-like bags. Grace says, "They are not the real thing. They are not priced like the real thing. My customers know that, but these bags make people happy because that have a feeling of living like the rich and famous. I sell happiness, not bags with trademarks." What do Grace's statements illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Grace's statements illustrate rationalization, as she justifies selling designer-like bags (which are not authentic) by focusing on the happiness they bring to her customers, rather than the ethical concerns related to trademarks and authenticity.

Quiz 1: Ethical Theory, Philosophical Foundations, Our Reasoning Flaws, and Types of Ethical Dilemmas