Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
There are a lot of factors affecting the way that a person can solve an ethical dilemma. For example, a person of higher power conforms less to other people’s opinions on the individual’s decision (Pitesa and Thau 36). This, of course, does not affect most people’s way of making ethical choices. However, if the person that intends to buy the house has a lot of power, they will probably do whatever it takes to buy it with no concern about others’ opinions. Nevertheless, this person is already concerned with the ethical dilemma, which means that they are indeed worried either about the rectitude of this decision or about what other people will think of it. Either way, this person is presented with a tough choice, especially if they are indeed taking into account the judgment of others.
There are other factors that ethical decision making science has been troubled with for two decades now; those are demographic and occupational factors (Kuntz et al. 318). The race, gender, social status and other related characteristics of a person are likely to affect their decision as well. Considering that this may be an argument between younger and older generations, one can argue that there is a significant difference between the way that both house owners and the person that wants to buy the house perceive the situation. It is hard for elderly to sell their house in the first place. Furthermore, if they will know that the house will be torn down, their agreement may be well out of the question.
Finally, there is a factor of whether or not the person had already experienced a need to face ethical dilemmas and come to a certain solution. While some researchers believe that any individual is facing new moral dilemma independently and without regard for other ethical predicaments they were involved in, it has been proven that people are able to learn from previous experience regarding ethical problems (Crossan et al. 574). So the person that is willing to buy the house will also have to take notice of any possible previous encounters with any moral dilemma because it is a way to evaluate the current situation and prepare for almost every possible outcome.
To summarize, there is a significant number of factors that influence each person’s ability to resolve ethical dilemmas. Aside from the factors that were mentioned in this chapter, there are also such factors as beliefs, religion, political agenda, etc. Thus, the difficulty of finding a solution becomes increasingly higher with each new factor affecting person’s ability to decide. However, ethical decision making also offers some solutions to facilitate the process. The solutions include estimating the predicament, consulting specialists, and various others. With each step carried out in full, the time it takes to find a solution becomes significantly shorter.
Possible Solutions
The problem that the person is facing may be resolved in different ways. Each way will have its benefits as well as disadvantages. Furthermore, – and this may be even more important – there will be considerable differences in how each way is regarded by the person’s relatives, closed ones and those of the elderly couple. Therefore, the perfect solution must not only resolve the dilemma but also ensure that no grudges will be held against the person that was caught in this predicament.
One of the first solutions that the individual may consider is not buying the house at all. Needless to say, that there are almost no benefits for the person in this solution whatsoever. On the other hand, the elderly couple also does not profit from this solution in any significant way, aside from the fact that they will keep the house. Public relation to this resolution will be positively neutral. Thus, the dilemma is resolved without any further problems. This is the most risk-free outcome that may be considered.
The further possible option is buying the house without subsequent demolition. This option is the one that takes into account only one side of the question. The person’s interests are not represented in any way. Therefore, it will be the one that is most accepted by the public. Furthermore, many are likely to agree to this solution as the most ethical one. It is only natural considering the fact that the only thing that the elderly couple is asking is to keep the house as it is because it holds a significant personal value to them. The only disadvantage of this way of solving the problem, of course, is that the person will get only one-half of what they desired when considering buying the house.
Finally, the third option will be the one that others will view as the most unethical one. This is an option of buying the house while promising the elderly couple that it will remain the same, and then tearing it down. This solution is the one that fully satisfies the desires of the person that wants to buy the house. Moreover, there will be next to no way for the elderly couple to reclaim their property, let alone rebuild the house. Of course, the person may try to reason with the elderly couple arguing that sooner or later the house will need a lot of reparations, and it is likely that the house will be demolished anyway. However, the chances that the elderly couple will agree to this are insignificant.
As it becomes evident after considering every option, there is almost no way of satisfying both sides of the dilemma. Each way of dealing with the problem will only include a solution for the one hand of the predicament. Therefore, the decision about buying the house or not buying it at all will depend on what kind of person it is that wants to acquire the property. Again, the most neutral solution that will not conclude in any ethical conflicts is not to buy the house at all. The person should probably consider finding another property to build their house on.
As for my ethical perspective, I believe that it would not have any influence on the recommendation. Firstly, because I can perceive the situation from every angle with evaluation of each solution’s benefits and disadvantages. And secondly, the person asks to decide which solution would be right and what outcomes are possible. There was no request for my ethical evaluation of this dilemma. Therefore, I am confident that my recommendation would not be affected by my ethical perspective. Concerning other’s sharing my view or disagreeing with me, I believe that there will always be people that support my opinion, and there will always be some that disagree. Thus, I am not able to accurately predict what part will be prevalent.
Sample case
Tyler’s good moves:
- Market researched in advance;
- Made a profitable counteroffer;
- Positively evaluated his abilities;
- Proposed a solution.
Tyler’s poor moves:
- Cancelled other upcoming interviews;
- Only focused on salary during the interview.
Works Cited
Crossan, Mary et al. “In Search of Virtue: The Role of Virtues, Values and Character Strengths in Ethical Decision Making.” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 113, no. 4, 2013, pp. 567-581.
Kuntz, Joanna et al. “Characterizing Ethical Cases: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Individual Differences, Organisational Climate, and Leadership on Ethical Decision-Making.” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 113, no. 2, 2013, pp. 317-331.
Pitesa, Marko, and Stefan Thau. “Compliant Sinners, Obstinate Saints: How Power and Self-focus Determine the Effectiveness of Social Influences in Ethical Decision Making.” Academy of Management Journal, vol. 56, no. 3, 2013, pp.635-658.