After completing your observations of Officer Jones, you are asked to summarize your observations for a study being conducted by an ethicist studying police behavior. Assume that the waitress at the diner was new and did not know about Officer Jones' arrangement with the owner. She brought a check for the food and coffee, and Officer Jones grudgingly paid. Because the choice of the diner was motivated by Officer Jones' desire for a free meal, ______________ would consider his actions immoral even though he paid.
A)universality
B)ethical formalism
C)utilitarianism
D)teleological ethics

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ethical formalism focuses on the intention behind actions rather than the outcomes. Since Officer Jones' initial intention was to receive a free meal, which is an unethical motive, ethical formalism would consider his actions immoral despite the eventual outcome of paying for the meal.

After Completing Your Observations of Officer Jones, You Are Asked