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ethiCS GUiDe I Know What’s Better, Really

DiSCUSSion QUeStionS 93

a. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is a deci-
1. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is your sion not to postpone ethical?
action not to present Leslie’s alternative ethical? b. According to utilitarianism, is a decision not to post-
2. According to utilitarianism, is your action not to present pone ethical?
Leslie’s alternative ethical? 6. Suppose Leslie learns you presented only your alterna-
3. Assume: tive, and you two become archenemies. To the compa-
a. You were right. Had the company embarked on Leslie’s ny’s disadvantage, the two of you are never able to work
alternative, it would have driven the company into together again. According to utilitarianism, does this
bankruptcy. Does this fact make your actions more outcome change the ethics of your behavior?
ethical? Explain your answer. 7. Suppose that instead of not presenting Leslie’s alternative
b. You were wrong. Leslie’s alternative would have been at all, you present it, but in a very negative light. You are
far superior to yours for the company’s future. Does honest when you focus the bulk of your description of it
this fact make your actions less ethical? Explain your on disadvantages because that’s what you believe. How-
answer. ever, you also know that Leslie does not agree with the
4. In your opinion, do the intended consequences or the way you see the situation. Given your biased presenta-
actual consequences have more bearing when assessing tion, the committee selects your alternative.
ethics from a utilitarian perspective? a. According to Kant’s categorical imperative, is your
5. You could postpone the meeting until Leslie is able to behavior ethical?
attend and thus allow Leslie to present the alternative to b. According to utilitarianism, is your behavior ethical?
yours. Doing so, however, increases the likelihood that 8. What would you do in this circumstance? Justify the
the committee selects Leslie’s alternative, and you firmly ethics of your decision.
believe that decision will be fatal to the company.