The Ethical Use of Company Resources

Each person owes a duty to himself or herself and to the world to study ethics and to engage in thoughtful debate about what is right, and what is wrong. It is this habit of thinking about and reflecting on ethics that will help you determine the right choices when faced with an ethical dilemma.

Articulate a moral dilemma wherein one has to show a specific virtue or virtues (it can be any virtue or virtues including honesty, courage, charity/generosity, compassion, etc.)

What is the moral dilemma about?
What virtue or virtues should be shown? (You are here selecting the best course of action)
Why is that virtue or those virtues to be shown?
How should the virtue or virtues be expressed, and why in that manner?
Apply Aristotle’s golden mean to the dilemma.
Tell us how the dilemma involves conflict moral duties (loyalty to community versus to self, professional versus familial duties, national or personal obligations).

The dilemma must be a situation in which a choice has to be made.

Be sure you told us why your chosen course of action was best.

Answer

The Moral Dilemma:

Imagine you work for a company that provides employees with access to various office supplies and equipment for work-related purposes. One day, you notice a colleague taking home several items, including expensive electronics and stationery, for personal use. You are aware that this behavior is against company policy and constitutes theft of company resources. You are now faced with a moral dilemma: whether to report your colleague’s actions or to remain silent.

Virtue to be Shown:

The virtue of honesty should be demonstrated in this situation. Honesty entails being truthful and transparent in one’s actions, adhering to moral and ethical principles, and upholding integrity in all dealings.

Why Honesty is Important:

Honesty is essential because it fosters trust and integrity within the workplace. By being honest about the misuse of company resources, one upholds the principles of fairness and accountability, ensuring that all employees are held to the same ethical standards.

Expressing the Virtue of Honesty:

The virtue of honesty should be expressed by reporting the colleague’s actions to the appropriate authorities or management. This ensures that the misuse of company resources is addressed promptly and that accountability is upheld. By speaking up against unethical behavior, one demonstrates a commitment to ethical values and the well-being of the organization.

Applying Aristotle’s Golden Mean:

Aristotle’s golden mean suggests finding a balance between extremes. In this case, the extreme of dishonesty would involve turning a blind eye to the colleague’s actions, enabling unethical behavior to continue unchecked. On the other hand, the extreme of excessive vigilance or betrayal of trust would involve reporting minor infractions that do not significantly harm the organization. The virtuous action lies in finding the middle ground: recognizing the seriousness of the situation and taking appropriate action to address it without undue harm.

Conflict of Moral Duties:

This dilemma involves a conflict between loyalty to the community (the company) and personal integrity. On one hand, there is a duty to protect the interests and assets of the company by addressing unethical behavior. On the other hand, there may be concerns about potential repercussions or strained relationships with the colleague involved. Additionally, there may be professional obligations to uphold ethical standards and prevent harm to the organization, even if it means confronting uncomfortable situations.

Chosen Course of Action:

The best course of action in this scenario is to report the colleague’s actions to management or the appropriate authorities. By doing so, one upholds the virtue of honesty, demonstrates accountability, and ensures the fair treatment of all employees. This action promotes a culture of integrity and ethical conduct within the organization, ultimately benefiting the company as a whole.