Overview
My chosen scenario for discussion is about a man who lands a good job after a long period of searching. Before the job, the man is barely able to provide for his family, a situation that drives him to desperation. Six months into the job, the man discovers that his manager is engaged in corruption, where he embezzles the company’s resources. The man, now in a state of dilemma, does not know whether to blow the whistle and lose his job or just maintain a blind eye to his manager’s unethical acts. The dilemma is further worsened by the man’s family, which he has been unable to provide for before finding the job. In discussing this scenario, I will seek to find out how the five components of wise judgment apply to it. I will finally make a decision based on these components, explaining the rationale behind the decision I finally settle with.
Factual Knowledge
Facts in this scenario include revolving around ethics, accountability and human conscience. It is common knowledge that corruption is unethical and should not be condoned under any circumstances. We also know that the man must adequately provide for his family since their very livelihood depends on him. The man’s decision, in one way or the other, will affect his family, be it positively or negatively.
Procedural knowledge
In this scenario, procedural knowledge has to do with how the man tackles problems in life, how he handles conflict, and how he offers advice (Connolly, Arkes & Hammond, 2000). Some of the problems in the man’s life include adequately providing for his family and maintaining a clear conscience, all at the same time.
Contextualism or lifespan
In this scenario, contextualism refers to the various contexts and roles of life around the man in question. This is mainly about how the man relates with his family, his workmates and seniors, and his friends.
Recognition of Uncertainty and managing it
The man has to appreciate the fact that there is no known perfect or ideal solution to any problem. Any decision he makes must affect those around him either positively or negatively. He must therefore not focus on a decision that will please everyone around him.
Relativism of solutions
In making a decision, the man must keep in mind that different people have different cultural and individual values and priorities in their lives (Sternberg, 2000). What the man may regard as unethical or immoral may be acceptable to his manager, family and friends (Hardman, 2009).
The course of action and its impact
Based on the five components of wise judgment, I recommend that the man reports his manager’s unethical behavior. This will help clear his conscience and save the company a lot of resources. Although such action may put his job in jeopardy, it has more positives than negatives. By blowing the whistle, the man will have put on notice any other officers at the company who may be engaged in acts of corruption. This will go a long way towards making the company a corruption-free zone. Reporting his manager may end up working for the man rather than against him, since someone in the company’s top echelons may recognize his contribution through his honesty and integrity. His family and friends will also be proud of him, although his family may be a little exposed to danger. All in all, I think blowing the whistle against his manager’s embezzlement of the company’s resources is the most appropriate course of action to take.
References
- Connolly, T., Arkes, H. R. & Hammond, K. R. (2000). Judgment and decision making: an interdisciplinary reader. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Hardman, D. (2009). Judgment and decision making: psychological perspectives. London: Wiley-Blackwell
- Sternberg, R. J. (2000). Practical intelligence in everyday life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press