ITECH 5500 Professional Research: Utilitarianism & Deontology

This assignment explores ethical theories, specifically utilitarianism and deontology, within the context of a professional research and communication course (ITECH 5500). It applies an ethical decision-making model to a case study involving Nirmal, an IT manager facing an ethical dilemma regarding ERP system procurement. The solution analyzes the situation using both utilitarian (consequence-based) and deontological (duty-based) ethical theories. It discusses act and rule utilitarianism, utilitarian calculus, rule and act deontology, and prima facie duties. The assignment also includes a reflection on personal experiences with ethical dilemmas and provides a relevant YouTube video resource. Ultimately, it navigates the complexities of ethical choices in a professional setting.

Tutorial Week 6
ITECH 5500 Professional Research and
Communication
Topic: Ethical Theories 1: Utilitarianism and Deontology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
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Tutorial Week 6
ITECH 5500 Professional Research and
Communication
Discussion Questions
1. Apply the ethical decision-making model
a. Identify the ethical dilemma
Nirmal could take Devraj’s Offer in the place of the less risky or cheaper ERP offer. This would lead loss to
the company in financial concept however, he would be doing a favour to his best friend. The worst scenario
could be the failure of the ERP implementation.
b. List the facts of the case
Nirmal could lose his job of he considers his best friend’s offer as it could cost the company much more than
expectation if it fails in real world implementation.
2. Using utilitarian ethical theory (consequence based):
a. Identify who benefits or suffers (and how) from the consequences (whether as an
individual or as a member of a group of people) if Nirmal decides to accept the tender
from company A?
Company and its stakeholders will be benefited, this will also be grater good for a large community and the
career of Nirmal. This could impact the friendship of Nirmal with Devraj but Nirmal, will be acting considering
utilitarianism “regardless of personal feelings or the societal constraints such as laws”
b. Identify who benefits or suffers (and how) from the consequences if Nirmal decides to
accept the tender from company B?
This decision will be against utilitarianism and this will improve the friendship between Nirmal and Devraj and
will be beneficial for his society. This will be suffering for the company financially and the internal staffs would
might have to suffer because of this.
c. Apply act utilitarianism using your answers to question 2, parts a, and b, decide which
path Nirmal should take to maximize the greatest good for the greatest number of people
and give the main reasons for your decision. Mention the concept of utilitarian calculus in
your answer.
Nirmal should take path as this decision will be best as the act utilitarianism that states “a person performs
the acts that benefit the most people, regardless of personal feelings or the societal constraints such as
laws.” utilitarian calculus states the determination of best course of action or policy through calculating the
total amount of pain and pleasure caused due to this action and the path a will have more pleasures than the
pain.
d. Apply rule utilitarianism using your answers to question 2, parts a, and b, and decide
which path Nirmal should take when applying the rules of common morality.
Common morality states to look for the personal care while taking decisions and in this situation, Nirmal
should chose path b as it will be beneficial for his friendship and his community as the trainers will be from
their and the finance could be transferred there.
3. Using deontological ethical theory (duty based):
a. What duties does Nirmal have in this situation to company A, company B, his own
organisation, his professional association, his religious community, his friend and the
country of his birth?
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Tutorial Week 6
ITECH 5500 Professional Research and
Communication
Situations Duties
Company A Accept the request as it is the best proposal
Company B Accept the request as it is being proposed by his friend
Own Organization Select the best ERP system that is cost effective and risk free
Professional association Consider the welfare of the company and stakeholders
Religious community Make sure that religious community gets the benefit
His friend Demonstrate the lagging factors and ask him to eliminate them
His country birth Make sure the country is benefited anyhow
b. Apply rule deontology, using the list of duties compiled in your answer to question 3 a,
decide which path Nirmal should take. Give your reasons. Mention the categorical
imperative, and concepts of universality and impartiality in your answer.
Nirmal should select the offer B as it is best suited for the large group of individuals personally associated to
him. The proposed ERP system has the worst scenario that it could fail however, it might not fail too.
c. Apply act deontology and decide which path Nirmal should take. Discuss the appropriate
prima facie duty (Ross, 1930) Nirmal should apply to this case.
The most stringent situation in this scenario is to go for path a as the professional responsibilities should
always be given importance than personal benefits.
4. Describe a situation in which you applied and/or witnessed a utilitarian and/or deontological
ethical theoretical approach as a tool for solving a moral dilemma. Now that you understand
these theories, what approach would you advise?
Utilitarianism should be the best approach as I have once applied while working in a group and I went out for
shopping the products.
5. Reflect on your learning materials for this week and locate a You Tube video, which provides
information on one or more of the following key concepts: consequence-based (utilitarianism),
and duty-based (deontology). Indicate why you think this resource was particularly useful and
provide a link to the video.
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uGDk23Q0S9E&ebc=ANyPxKr5uFCqs0BCVj05kRrQXQkhYM5kYmmfxW9KjmXT7oJISXjuq6YN69fP6A5c
I5M7c2HsHBsODCl9Mfe41NFFMGHSh8Q2zA
the above link was useful and the video links were of same benefits as that in the class tutorials.
References
ACS. (2004). Case study 27. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from
http://www.acs.org.au/publication/docs/ACS_CaseStudiesFinal.pdf
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