Ethical Dilemma
Transcript of Ethical Dilemma
Running head: ETHICAL DILEMMA 1
Ethical Dilemma
Elizabeth Ping – T-012
Jeff Ford
Spring Arbor University
Values: Personal and Social IDS 400
May 4, 2010
ETHICAL DILLEMA
Ethical Dilemma
Ethical dilemmas can be challenging for the person in charge of determining what the
consequences of certain actions should be. Take for instance, the story of a successful
administer of 28 years who was recently found to have lied about two academic degrees that she
had never earned and about attending a university that she was never at. Although, this
administrator has been nationally recognized, some say that any falsification in academic
credentials warrants resignation, while others say that the falsification of academic credentials is
only a minor affair given the woman's many years of experience and recognition of good service.
The following is a response to the case study utilizing a Christian world view and Robert Nash's
9-step ethical decision making model.
Questions 1 & 2
The first question asked in Nash's 9-step ethical decision making model is, "What are the
central moral issues in your case-dilemma?" Since, the administrator lied about her academic
degrees, dishonesty and not maintaining her integrity are the major moral issues. No one likes a
person who lies and cheats through life, and most people value hard work and honesty about
their accomplishments. The second question asks, "What are the ethical conflicts in your case
that make it an actual dilemma needing rigorous ethical analysis and resolution?" For Christians,
dishonesty and integrity are central to their world view and hold much importance. Kimball
(2006) maintained that integrity is fundamental to good character and that when we are dishonest
we cheat ourselves and others (pp. 124-134). The Bible abounds with passages that provide
evidence that God disproves of lying and that the administrator's dilemma deserves resolution
based on moral grounds. One such example is, "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: But they
that deal truly are his delight (Proverbs 12:22, King James Version). Another example is, "No
2
ETHICAL DILLEMA
one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my
presence" (Psalm 101:7, New International Version).
Questions 3 & 4
The third question in Nash's 9-step ethical decision making model is, "Who are the major
stakeholders in your case?" There are many stakeholders involved in the ethical dilemma
including the administrator, the administrator's family, and the faculty and students at the
university. This is because, whatever a person does affects others. The fourth question asks,
"What are some foreseeable consequences of the possible choices in your case-dilemma and
what are some foreseeable principles?" On a temporal level, the administrator loses pay and
credibility if forced to resign. She may be also unable to obtain further employment, and her
family may be stigmatized and face financial difficulties. However, by leaving the university,
the principle of academic honesty is upheld. If the administrator is allowed to stay at the
university, the principle of academic dishonesty is weakened. Students at the university might
feel that it is unfair that they are held to academic standards that are higher than those who are at
the head of the university.
Questions 5 & 6
The fifth question in Nash's 9-step ethical decision making model is, "What are some
important background beliefs that you should consider in your case-dilemma?" According to the
Christian world view, honesty and integrity represent fundamental ideas that God wants his
people to follow. Scripture represents the idea of integrity by saying, "The man of integrity
walks securely, but he who taketh the crooked path will be found out (Proverbs 10:9, New
International Version). Additionally, the Christian belief of forgiveness is central to how the
writer chooses to respond to the ethical dilemma of the case study. Scripture represents the idea
of forgiveness by saying, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
3
ETHICAL DILLEMA
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). Thus is it important to
God that people should forgive each other. The sixth question asks, "What are some of you
initial intuitions and feelings about your case-dilemma?" The writer's initial feeling is that what
the administrator did was very wrong and that she should not be allowed to be in such high office
at the university because it is unfair to other people who have worked hard and deserve the
position more.
Questions 7 & 8
The seventh question in Nash's 9-step ethical decision making model is, "What choices
would you make if you were to act in character in your case-dilemma?" Acting in character
means that the writer would be required to maintain the Christian world view that honesty and
integrity are God's wishes. This means that the writer would have to acknowledge that what the
administrator did was wrong based on moral grounds specified by the Bible. The writer would
also have to acknowledge that the administrator should be forgiven because the God teaches that
we should forgive others. Thus, the writer feels comfortable with defending the idea that the
administrator should maintain her position in the university because God teaches that we should
forgive.
The eighth question asks, " What does your profession's code of ethics say regarding the
relevant moral issues in your case-dilemma?" For the field of academia, academic honesty is
very important and is a cornerstone to values at the university level. Likewise, for the nursing
profession, honesty and integrity are central to being a good nurse. Accordingly, the writer is
planning to become a certified nurse midwife, and one of the tenets in their code of ethics is to,
"be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of your profession" (The Code,
2009, para. 1).
Question 9
4
ETHICAL DILLEMA
The ninth question in Nash's 9-step ethical decision making model is, " What is your
decision in the case-dilemma and do you have any nagging afterthoughts?" Ultimately, the
administrator was dishonest and did not follow God's teachings. However, God also teaches that
forgiveness is important. The writer believes that the embarrassment of lying about her
academic records in combination with her ability to do the job with great efficiency warrants that
she should maintain her position at the university. Furthermore, the administrator will have to
seek forgiveness from God for having been dishonest so she faces great moral consequence if
she chooses not to repent. The only nagging afterthought that the writer has regarding allowing
the administrator to stay in her position at the university is that students and other faculty may
feel that it is permissible to lie and be dishonest.
It can be seen through evaluating the case study involving the university administrator
who displayed academic dishonesty that ethical dilemmas are not always clear cut. There are
many considerations that must be made in order to make a fair assessment of what the moral
outcomes should be for a particular situation. In this evaluation, Nash's 9-step ethical decision
making model was used in conjunction with Christianity's world view in order to determine that
the administrator should stay in office.
5
ETHICAL DILLEMA
References
Kimball, S. W. (2006). Integrity. Retrieved from http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hide
Nav=1&locale=0&sourceId=5f49862384d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a
____&vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Nash, J. R. (n.d.). Real world ethics: A holistic, problem-solving framework. IDS 400 Values:
Personal and Social. Spring Arbor, MI: Spring Arbor University.
The code in full. (2009). Nursing and Midwifery Council. Retrieved from http://www.nmc-
uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=3056
6