Utilitarianism

Sample Solution

      As the loss prevention officer at a Walmart store, you are responsible for preventing shoplifting and protecting the company's interests. In the scenario you described, you have witnessed a young girl shoplifting an early pregnancy test. This situation presents a complex ethical dilemma, as you must weigh the potential consequences of various actions against the company's interests and the potential well-being of the girl and her family.

Full Answer Section

      Utilitarian Approach Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that emphasizes the importance of maximizing overall happiness or pleasure and minimizing overall pain or suffering. From a utilitarian perspective, the best choice would be the one that produces the greatest overall good for the greatest number of people. In this case, there are several potential consequences to consider:

• Apprehending the girl for shoplifting: This option would certainly protect the company's interests by preventing the loss of merchandise. However, it could also have significant negative consequences for the girl and her family. She could face legal consequences, including arrest, prosecution, and a criminal record. This could have a lasting impact on her education, employment opportunities, and future prospects. Additionally, apprehending the girl in front of her family could cause them significant embarrassment, shame, and stress.
• Ignoring the shoplifting: Ignoring the shoplifting would allow the girl to get away with the crime without facing any immediate consequences. However, this would still have negative consequences for the company, as it would represent a loss of merchandise and could encourage further shoplifting. Additionally, ignoring the shoplifting would not address the underlying issue that may have led the girl to steal the pregnancy test in the first place.
• Approaching the girl and her family: A more nuanced approach would be to approach the girl and her family privately and discuss the situation. This would allow you to gain a better understanding of the girl's motivations and determine if there are any underlying issues that need to be addressed. It would also provide an opportunity to educate the girl about the consequences of shoplifting and encourage her to make better choices in the future.

Morally Correct Choice Determining the morally correct choice in this situation is not straightforward. Utilitarianism provides one framework for evaluating the potential consequences of different actions, but it is not the only moral philosophy that can be considered. Deontology, for example, emphasizes the importance of following moral rules and duties, regardless of the consequences. In this case, a deontological approach might suggest that the morally correct choice would be to apprehend the girl for shoplifting, as shoplifting is a violation of the law and it is the loss prevention officer's duty to enforce the law. Ultimately, the decision of how to proceed in this situation is a complex one that requires careful consideration of the potential consequences and the various ethical principles that can be applied. There is no easy answer, and there is no guarantee that any particular course of action will lead to a positive outcome for all parties involved. Here is a table summarizing the potential consequences of each option:

Option	Potential Consequences
Apprehend the girl for shoplifting	Protects company's interests; girl faces legal consequences, embarrassment, and potential long-term impact
Ignore the shoplifting	Company loses merchandise; girl may continue to shoplift; underlying issues remain unaddressed
Approach the girl and her family	Gain better understanding of girl's motivations; educate girl about consequences of shoplifting; provide support if needed

drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets Based on this analysis, the most ethically sound option would likely be to approach the girl and her family privately. This approach allows you to gather more information, address the underlying issue, and potentially prevent further shoplifting without resorting to legal action. However, it is important to be sensitive to the girl's feelings and to avoid causing further embarrassment or shame.