Rushworth Kidder talks about genuine ethical dilemmas as tough choices in which individuals face right vs. right situations (as opposed to right vs. wrong situations). He goes on to argue that most ethical dilemmas fit one of four possible patterns identified in Ch. 1 by Rushworth Kidder. Describe a personal example of a 'right vs. right' ethical dilemma you have faced in the past. Answer the questions in the following order. All answers must be in complete sentences.
Describe the right vs. right ethical dilemma you faced.
Which type of right vs. right dilemma is this based on Kidder's reading? Explain why. (Truth vs. Loyalty, Individual vs. Community, Short term vs. Long term, or Justice vs. Mercy [another way to describe mercy is compassion])
What were the moral considerations behind the choices you were faced with? (This includes reviewing all of the facts and identifying all moral dilemmas for all parties involved).
What was the outcome of your ethical dilemma? In other words, what did you do?
What was the reasoning behind your choice?
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One example of a 'right vs. right' ethical dilemma I faced in the past was when I discovered that a colleague at work was consistently taking credit for my ideas and projects. On one hand, I wanted to confront the colleague and defend my work and reputation, which falls under the right of truth. On the other hand, I also valued maintaining a harmonious and collaborative working environment, which falls under the right of loyalty.
Based on Kidder's reading, this ethical dilemma can be categorized as a 'Truth vs. Loyalty' dilemma. This is because I had to navigate between the responsibility of speaking the truth about my colleague's actions and maintaining loyalty to the team and the organization.
The moral considerations behind the choices I faced were twofold. First, there was the ethical dilemma of the truth, where I had to confront the colleague and potentially expose their dishonest behavior. Second, there was the ethical dilemma of loyalty, as I had to decide whether prioritizing truth and justice for myself was worth jeopardizing the harmony and relationships within the team.
The outcome of my ethical dilemma was that I decided to confront my colleague in a private and respectful manner. I explained to them my concerns and provided evidence of instances where they had taken credit for my work. I also expressed the importance of collaboration and trust within the team.
The reasoning behind my choice was that while maintaining a harmonious work environment was important, it should not come at the expense of truth and fairness. By confronting my colleague, I believed that it would not only address the immediate issue, but also contribute to building a culture of honesty and accountability within the team.