Moral philosophy (teleology, deontology, relativist perspective, virtue ethics, or justice)

Sample Solution

Deontology's Influence on an Ethical Dilemma

Out of the listed moral philosophies, deontology played a significant role in an ethical dilemma I witnessed at a previous organization. Deontology emphasizes duty and following universal moral rules, regardless of the consequences.

Context: I worked at a company where a new product was being developed. During testing, a minor safety concern arose that could potentially be overlooked to meet a crucial deadline. Fixing it would cause a slight delay.

The Dilemma: Management debated whether to prioritize the launch deadline or address the safety concern. Focusing on the deadline (consequentialist approach) would ensure a successful launch but potentially compromise safety.

Deontological Influence: Several engineers, myself included, argued from a deontological perspective. We highlighted the inherent duty to prioritize safety, regardless of the short-term benefits of meeting the deadline. We emphasized the potential consequences of a safety issue and the ethical obligation to uphold user safety as a core principle.

Full Answer Section

Outcome: The discussion ultimately led to prioritizing the safety fix, causing a minor delay in the launch. This decision reflected a deontological approach, where following the moral rule of prioritizing safety outweighed the potential benefits of meeting the exact deadline.

This situation showcases how deontological thinking can influence ethical decision-making within organizations. By focusing on upholding ethical duties and principles, individuals can advocate for the right course of action even when it conflicts with other considerations.