Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Ethical dilemmas are situations where there is a conflict between moral imperatives, and any possible course of action will necessarily violate at least one important ethical principle. In professional life, individuals often encounter such dilemmas, requiring careful consideration of values, duties, and potential consequences. Without knowing the specifics of Rakesh’s situation, a generalized analysis of potential ethical dilemmas can be constructed, assuming he is a public servant or professional facing a conflict between personal gain, professional duty, and societal well-being. This answer will explore common ethical challenges faced by individuals in positions of responsibility, and how these might manifest in Rakesh’s case.
Identifying Potential Stakeholders and Dilemmas
To understand the ethical dilemmas Rakesh faces, we must first identify the stakeholders involved. These could include Rakesh himself, his family, his organization (employer), the public he serves, and potentially other individuals directly or indirectly affected by his decisions. The dilemmas likely revolve around conflicts of interest, loyalty, honesty, and fairness.
Common Ethical Dilemmas Rakesh Might Face
- Conflict of Interest: Rakesh might be faced with a situation where his personal interests (financial, familial, or otherwise) clash with his professional duties. For example, he might be responsible for awarding a contract to a company owned by a relative.
- Loyalty vs. Integrity: Rakesh might be pressured by superiors or colleagues to act in a way that compromises his integrity. This could involve concealing information, manipulating data, or engaging in unethical practices.
- Confidentiality vs. Public Interest: Rakesh might possess confidential information that, if disclosed, could benefit the public but would violate his duty of confidentiality. This is particularly relevant in roles involving sensitive data or national security.
- Fairness and Impartiality: Rakesh might be required to make decisions that affect different groups of people, and ensuring fairness and impartiality can be challenging. Bias, prejudice, or favoritism could lead to unjust outcomes.
- Transparency and Accountability: Rakesh might face pressure to operate in secrecy or avoid accountability for his actions. This can erode public trust and undermine the principles of good governance.
Applying Ethical Frameworks
Utilitarianism
From a utilitarian perspective, Rakesh should choose the course of action that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes suffering. This requires carefully weighing the potential consequences of each option for all stakeholders. However, predicting consequences accurately can be difficult, and utilitarianism can sometimes justify actions that are morally questionable if they lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.
Deontology (Duty-Based Ethics)
Deontology emphasizes adherence to moral rules and duties, regardless of the consequences. Rakesh would need to identify his relevant duties (e.g., duty to uphold the law, duty to protect the public interest) and act in accordance with those duties, even if it leads to undesirable outcomes. This framework provides clear guidance but can be inflexible in complex situations.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics focuses on the character of the moral agent. Rakesh should strive to act in a way that embodies virtues such as honesty, integrity, courage, and compassion. This requires self-reflection and a commitment to moral excellence. Virtue ethics provides a holistic approach to ethical decision-making but can be subjective and lack specific guidance.
Example Scenario & Analysis
Let's assume Rakesh is a procurement officer and is offered a bribe to favor a particular vendor.
| Ethical Dilemma | Stakeholders Affected | Possible Actions | Ethical Framework Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepting a bribe vs. Upholding Integrity | Rakesh, Vendor, Public, Organization | Accept bribe, Report bribe, Seek guidance | Utilitarianism: Reporting the bribe maximizes public good. Deontology: Accepting a bribe violates duty to uphold the law. Virtue Ethics: Accepting a bribe demonstrates lack of integrity. |
Conclusion
The ethical dilemmas faced by Rakesh are complex and require careful consideration of competing values and duties. Applying ethical frameworks like utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics can provide guidance, but ultimately, Rakesh must exercise sound judgment and act in a way that aligns with his moral principles and professional responsibilities. Transparency, accountability, and a commitment to the public interest are crucial for navigating these challenges and maintaining public trust. A robust ethical infrastructure within his organization, including clear guidelines and support mechanisms, would also be invaluable.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.