ACCT19083 Final Assignment

ACCT19083 Final Assignment
Term 2, 2019
Student ID:..................................... Student name..............................................................
Marker’s overall comments: The markers may include
any final comments here.
Overall Mark (Total) out of 40:
0

Part A Question 1: Assume that Arnold wants to disclose the short payments to
staff immediately. Identify the theory of ethics that
best explains Arnold’s
motivation for wanting to do this. Explain why you chose this theory (300–400
words).
In the given situation, Arnold has two options. One of them is to put the interests of the staff
ahead of his individual benefits and disclose about the short payments. The other option is
to follow the instructions of his manager and delete all the files from the office computer.
Following the first option would mean that Arnold places the welfare of others ahead of his
personal gains. The ethics theory that best explains Arnold’s motivation to act in the
manner is the consequentialist theory of utilitarianism. This theory states that one should
always strive to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for all the people
affected by one’s actions. In this case, Arnold can easily benefit himself by not providing the
information about the short payments to the staff and save his job. There is also a chance
that nobody would find out about the same without his disclosure. However, Arnold plans to
disclose about the same as it is beneficial to the workers. He has put the benefits of the
workers ahead of his priorities and tried to minimise the bad through his actions. As his
sacrifice is likely to increase the total happiness of everyone, his act can be considered to
be utilitarian in nature (Mill, 2016). It can be argued that he could have also not caused any
harm by not disclosing about the short payments. But without his disclosure, it is probable
that the workers would have lost their payments by not finding about them. In case they
found out, the company’s reputation and solvency would have been at stake. Hence, the
thoughts of Arnold are clearly utilitarian as his emphasis is more or on the greater good for
the company and the workers and not on saving his job. He has considered the amount of
pain his activity is likely to produce. As he has given equal importance to everyone’s
pleasures as much as to his own, his acts are utilitarian in nature.

References:
Mill, J. S. (2016). Utilitarianism. In Seven masterpieces of philosophy (pp. 337-383). Routledge.
Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here. Mark (5):
0
Exceeds Expectations
(High Distinction) 85-100%
Exceeds Expectations
(Distinction) 75 - 84%
Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74%
Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64%
Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very
high level of detailed knowledge of
core concepts by providing a very
high level of analysis. Utilises
current, appropriate and credible
sources.
Demonstrates a balanced and high
level of knowledge of core
concepts by providing a high level
of analysis. Utilises mostly current,
appropriate and credible sources.
Demonstrates a good level of
knowledge of some of the core
concepts by providing some level
of analysis. Utilises some current,
appropriate and credible sources.
Demonstrates limited knowledge of
core concepts by providing a
limited level of analysis. Utilises
few current, appropriate and
credible sources.
Demonstrates little, if any,
knowledge of the core concepts
with extremely limited, if any,
analysis. Utilises little, if any,
current, appropriate and credible
sources.
Quality of writing at a very high
standard. Paragraphs are
coherently connected to each
other. Correct grammar, spelling
and punctuation.
Quality of writing is of a high
standard. Paragraphs are mostly
well structured. Few grammar,
spelling and punctuation mistakes.
Quality of writing is of a good
standard. Few grammar, spelling
and punctuation mistakes.
Some problems with sentence
structure and presentation
Frequent grammar, punctuation
and spelling mistakes. Use of
inappropriate language.
Quality of writing is at a very poor
standard so barely
understandable. Many spelling
mistakes. Little or no evidence of
proof reading.
The assessment presents a
detailed and focused summary of
the ideas presented; drawing clear
and well thought-out conclusions.
The assessment presents a fairly
detailed and focused summary of
the ideas presented; drawing fairly
clear and well thought-out
conclusions.
The assessment presents a
somewhat detailed and focused
summary of the ideas presented;
providing some evidence of
conclusions.
The assessment provides limited
detail with no clear summary of the
ideas presented; drawing limited
conclusions.
The assessment fails to provide
any clear evidence of the ideas
presented; drawing no clear
conclusions.