Reflection Essay Classroom Ethical Dilemma-Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Reflection Essay On A Classroom Ethical Dilemma? Answer: Introducation The ethical dilemma is one that happened in college in mid-September last year. The situation represented a dilemma where I had to make choices over a decision to make. It was about a classroom competitive work project of designing an innovative product. The competitive work project product would be a basis of final course grading, and the winner could participate in a regional competition thereafter. The tutor instructions were to work independently, not to consult any expert or seek advice, and everyone to be a watchdog and report any unfair competition practices. The consequences of any person found to have committed the malpractice was cancellation and zero grading to the course. It happened a classmate who is my close friend ignored the instructions and sought an advice of an expert in order to win the competition. I found her red handed and she admitted to have done so. I noticed that if I report the case she will be disqualified, obtain a zero grading, and eventually lose the friendship. But if I keep quite I will an ally of a malpractice and make her win unjust fully. What my friend had done was against values of honesty, truthfulness, justice and responsibility. Everyone in class was expected to work independently, truthful, responsible and with honesty. I took the decision to face my friend and told her that what she had done was unfair and nor right and I will report the case. She pleaded with me consistently and bringing out her fears of failing the course. I admit that I felt for her and I did not report the case, and hoped that she was not discovered or win the competition. My conscience told me that I had done something that was extremely bad having witnessed dishonesty and kept mum. I felt bad, guilty and fearful over the happening. But later my feelings were justified as she did not win competition and I knew natural justice had prevailed. I do rate my decision on the happening at a scale of 7 (slightly happy) because I did not lose my friend and she did not win through an unjust means. Analysis of ethical dilemma There are several theoretical ideals that can be used to seek appropriate decisions and actions to an ethical dilemma (Balakrishnan 2017, p.198). The normative theories can be used to provide techniques, norms, rules and examples to follow (Nucci. Krettenauer. Narvez 2014). Ethical scholars argue that there is no universal right and wrong it can only be determined rationally. The rational decision depends on the individual and culture surrounding the locality (Ford Richardson 2013, p.30). The analysis of the ethical dilemma addressed will be based on three theories egoism, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics theory. The egoism and utilitarian are classified as consequentialism a situation where moral decisions are made with consideration of the likely outcome. Virtue ethics theory is classified as non- consequentialism moral decisions done with no consideration of likely outcomes (Parsons 2016). One category of consequentialism theory is that of ethical psychological egoism contributed by Adam Smith. The theory states that an individual decision making is based on the actions that he/she presumes to be right or wrong and which best promotes own interests and desires (Parsons 2016). The psychological egoism brings a conflict of interest of what is good to an individual and what is good for the society. Decisions made on ethical dilemma were on egoism of maintaining friendship with my classmate despite the malpractice committed to a larger society. The malpractice should have been reported to correct the unethical action. The actions of the ethical dilemma was based on Financial egoism because it focused on short term interest of maintaining friendship ignoring the long term benefit of correcting unethical wrong to a larger competitors (Christensen, Calabrese, Calabrese, Gomila Gut 2014, p.5). Another ethical theory under consequentialism is known as utilitarianism which was contributed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham. The theory of utilitarianism states that the value of any moral act depends on the opinion of the majority (Morris McDonald 2013). The theory expects impartiality of individuals when making actions not to offend the majority. The theory outlines a straight forward, simple and democratic process by solving ethical problems in society. The utilitarian theory was applicable in the ethical dilemma scenario. The opinion of the majority based on the theory is to solve the problem amicably where nobody feels aggrieved (Hoffman, Frederick Schwartz 2014, p.20). I was able to contact my classmate and outline to her how it was wrong to commit the malpractice. This was important in discussing the origin of the problem before reporting the immoral act. Although it is useful theory to solve an ethical problem it can damage others who are involved (Ferrell Fraedr ich 2015). The decision of keeping silence after discussion with classmate could have affected justice of all competitors in the competition. The last consideration of the ethical dilemma is that we considered unhappiness of the majority and happiness of retaining friendship through our actions. The theory under non-consequentialism known as virtue ethics theory can also be used to explain the actions of the ethical dilemma. Virtue ethics theory outlines that privileges can be given to the character or the actor rather than using the principles of duty or consequences (Hoffman, Frederick Schwartz 2014, p.34). In case of ethical dilemma the classmate (actor) was given the privilege to decide if her actions were justified or not. The remorse by the actor on malpractice committed was an indication that she had justified her actions to be wrong. If the principles of consequences could have prevailed then reporting could have been done immediately. The argument of using the utilitarian approach for analysis for the ethical dilemma is that at the end of it all the person would have acquired human virtues in the long run (Musto, Rodney Vanderheide 2015, p100). Reflection on ethical dilemma In reflection process the respondents need to apply moral reasoning with the aid of theories in order to critically think the possible implications of their actions over the moral values surrounding them (Weaver, Reynolds Brown 2014, p.34). In using psychological egoism theory in reference to ethical dilemma made me feel happy. Because was able to maintain my egoism interest of maintaining friendship at the end. It also made me not to be selfish to report what had happened. The unselfish behavior of not reporting eventually brought pleasure of ensuring social relationship with my friend is maintained. The argument of using the theory is that we will all be happy if each individual would look after their own interests (Shapiro Stefkovich 2016 p. 48). The use of psychological egoism did not make me happy because it did not expose the moral wrong it remained unnoticed it focused on safeguarding individuals interests rather than the larger competitors interests. The moral universal principle could have prevailed in making the decision. I was happy in using the virtue ethics theory to solve the ethical dilemma because it enabled both of us learn through our own senses and virtues. In the long run it was better for each individual to understand the nature and context of what is wrong or right and marketing valuable decisions. In context of the ethical dilemma the actor was given the decision alone to decide what was right or wrong and make a decision. I didnt participate in deciding the final decision and that made me happy. The basis of the theory is that individuals should be given privileges to decide what can be wrong or right (Sendjaya, Pekerti, Hrtel, Hirst Butarbutar 2016). I was not happy in using the virtue ethics theory because one is not able to establish in the long run if the actor has learn any moral virtue by moral virtue by her own. In using the utilitarianism theory it made me happy because I was able to create happiness of maintaining friendship over unhappiness of losing a friend. Majority of individuals prefer maintaining social relationship to have healthy and happy living instead of breaking relationship. The use of utilitarian theory did not make me happy because it advocates much on immoral actions and does not give chance for consequences originating from it (Weaver, Reynolds Brown 2014, p.105). In the end there was no fairness to all individuals who participated in the competition. Conclusion In conclusion if the ethical dilemma situation happens again I would not make the same decision again. Because the wrong remained unpunished, the scenario could have disadvantaged others by creating unfair competition, and it is difficult to identify if the actor (classmate) had learnt any virtue in the long run. An ethical wrong can be corrected by identifying and taking appropriate action over it. The moral reasoning decision could have been based on the consequences of the action to the larger society. 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