BSB111 Business Law: Ethical Dilemma Analysis and Frameworks

This report analyzes an ethical dilemma faced by a data analyst, exploring the complexities of choosing between conflicting actions. The report delves into the application of three ethical frameworks: utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, and Aristotle's virtue ethics, to evaluate the situation. The utilitarian approach focuses on maximizing overall well-being, while Kantian ethics emphasizes moral duties and the inherent rightness of actions. Virtue ethics, on the other hand, centers on character and the cultivation of virtuous traits like honesty. The analysis considers the potential consequences and moral implications of each decision, ultimately leading to a recommendation based on the frameworks discussed. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ethical decision-making in a business context.

Running head- BUSINESS LAW
Business Law
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Ethical Dilemma: The Conflicted Data Analyst
An ethical dilemma is a complicated position in a business where a person has to
choose between two difficult situations. Generally, it is a situation where a person needs to
make a decision that is very complicated for him due to specific moral or ethical grounds.
The given scenario is a problem due to the ethical dilemma as he needs to evaluate between
the two alternatives, among which one is right, and the other is wrong. So the right decision
will be ethical, and the wrong one will be unethical. Both the actions that Blair may choose
can not be stated as right or wrong as they do not directly answer the fact that which solution
is better. As the consequences of the decision that may be taken can both be right or wrong,
and that was the ethical dilemma to make a decision (Kovacevic & Rahimic 2018). As an
option relating to the different frameworks, the moral reasons are stated for which the actions
have been chosen.
The ethical dilemma reflects in the business context that further affects the three
different frameworks differently. Business ethics does affect a distinct level, methodical
level, or administrative level. The ethical dilemma affects both on the distinct and the
methodological level. However, the decision taken will affect his individuality and affect his
work also. So these two different levels can create a dilemma while finding a solution for
that. Either he can lose the job by leaking the news or save the public from the corruption in
the administration.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a form of ethics based upon the consequences of an action, and the
decision will affect only emphasize upon the significance. It is the moral theory that helps the
organizations or the individuals in order to analysis of action that whether it is wrong or right.

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It is this school of Utilitarianism that believes that when an individual takes the right decision
will, in turn, increase the wellness of the people of the surroundings. Jeremy Bentham, David
Hume, and Henry Sedgwick are the ethical theorists of the school (Chang, Liu & Chen,
2014). In order to analyze the ethical dilemma using the utilitarian structure, a systematic way
shall be followed. Generally, the approach in Bentham’s theory is calculated in terms of the
quantity of pain and pleasure. So in order to understand this approach, the stakeholders shall
be recognized, and the magnitudes faced by each of them shall be dogged. So about that, the
overall amount of pain and pleasure that will be gained in both the circumstances shall be
measured and then determined. In a wide-ranging prospect, when any Act results in the profit
of the developed amount of persons and makes the most of the assistance, the condition will
be gauged inside the purview of this utilitarian theory. It certainly stimulates lives to conduct
the action with the best possible means in that will generate maximum happiness in the
society.
This theory links the happiness of society to the wellness of the individuals. Upon the
application of the pleasure and theory in this case, if he decides to leak the news to the press,
it may induce pleasure as the people on the society will be benefitted with that and if he takes
a decision to keep the matter confidential, it will in turn cause pain to the society as they will
be facing the game of politics. However, the pain in leaking the news will be such that it may
lose his job if they come to know about his act. So upon the analysis of the utilitarian theory,
he shall leak the news to the public as he was leaking it for the public concern. The main
focus of this theory is to generate maximum wellness through ethical conduct, so following
this theory leaking the news will be applicable.

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Kantian Ethics
Deontology is the foundation of the Kantian Ethics, which defines the outcome of the
act rather than the implications of the delinquent in the method of ethical decision-making.
According to the theory of Kant, the essence of moralities is produced from benevolence or
the correct assertiveness and, the purpose of the solicitation should be the epicenter of ethical
morals. This signifies that the kindness does not institute the poignant portions, and in order
to attain that, the choice shall not be based upon the emotional perspective (Wood, 2017).
Choices shall be more based on the practical scenarios of life and not upon the emotional
instincts of a person.Moreover, accountability is a vigorous module of the strategy as it deals
with providing ethical stimulus. Upon the operation of the Kantian theory is the aspect that is
focused on is how that individual has made a choice. It does not look upon the difficulties
that might happen due to the choice; instead, it is contingent upon the action and the
procedure of concluding the choice. This philosophy is confirmed to be a very stiff one as it
mainly emphasizes the choice and not the outcome of the decision.
Upon the application of this model in the given scenario where the company has
signed with the Department of Justice and knowing a fact that the Department is tampering
with the arrangements in order to gain something out of it that instant decision based on the
ethical value will be leaking the news to the press. Kantian ethics does not focus upon the
consequence; instead, it focuses upon the act that is stated as ethically right (Walla, 2015).
So, in this case, leaking the case will be applicable without thinking the fact that he might
lose his job, or it may impose a certain level of danger upon him due to the political
influence. This theory will only follow the fact that an act should be done that is morally right
upon the actions that are causing and not based upon the reactions to that.

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Aristotle’s virtue ethics
Aristotle established this framework of ethics and stated that the critical mission of
this framework is to understand and lead a life with dignity and charm. This is stated as the
character-based technique and states that we obtain virtue through practice (Annas, 2015). As
per the theory, virtue is not an element that is obtained by birth; instead, it is something that is
to be acquired through practice. The ethical personality of a person develops with the bold,
substantial, and the frank attitude. Hence virtue can be achieved by inculcating a righteous
attitude and habits between the individuals. Through the solicitation of virtue, morals,
morality, and truthfulness are the key to every single procedure for decision making. It makes
all such ethical dilemmas tranquil to be understood and henceforth helps in making a decision
that is more accurate morally and ethically (Duska, 2014).
By the application of the framework upon the scenario, honesty was the key to solve
the problem. So, in this case, as per the issues sticking to the path of honesty will be the
appropriate thing that he could do. In this case, upon the application of honesty and ethical
virtues, the person will leak the news to the press as the company was doing something that
was ethically and morally not right, and that may have caused ill effects in the society. So,
upon the following of the excellent virtue, the person will leak the news to the press.
Recommendation
So following the scenario upon the application of the three theories, the best
possible;e decision that the person shall take is to leak the news.
1. By the application of the utilitarian theory, the main focus of the framework is upon
the maximization of profit in the society by increasing pleasure and reducing g pain.
Hence leaking the news may protect the community from the conspiracy of the
authority.

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2. By the application of Kantian theory that focuses upon the acts and not the
circumstances of the case, the ethically right decision, in this case, would be leaking
the news for the concern that it shall benefit the more significant amount.
3. Moreover, lastly, Virtue ethics provides the practice of taking up the division with the
good virtues of man, such as honesty. So, according to it, the best thing that shall be
done was to leak the news as the practice of the Department of defense was ethically
wrong.

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Reference
Annas, J. (2015). Applying virtue to ethics. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 32(1), 1-14.
Chang, I. C., Liu, C. C., & Chen, K. (2014). The effects of hedonic/utilitarian expectations
and social influence on continuance intention to play online games. Internet Research.
Duska, R. F. (2014). Why business ethics needs rhetoric: An Aristotelian
perspective. Business Ethics Quarterly, 24(1), 119-134.
Kovacevic, J., & Rahimic, Z. (2018). MANIPULATIVE LEADERSHIP, GENDER AND
ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING IN ORGANIZATIONS. In 9th International
Conference of the School of Economics and Business (p. 175). University of Sarajevo,
School of Economics and Business Trg oslobodjenja–Alija Izetbegovic 1, Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Walla, A. P. (2015). Kant’s Moral Theory and Demandingness. Ethical Theory and Moral
Practice, 18(4), 731-743.
Wood, A. (2017). The final form of Kant’s practical philosophy. In Immanuel Kant (pp. 27-
47). Routledge.