Considering Consequences of the Ethical Situation from Both Sides (Essay Sample)

Student’s name
Instructor’s name
Course Title
Date
Ethical Dilemma
Introduction
Ethics occur when an individual is subjected to moral dilemmas that arise from a particular situation. Life is about the moral choice. It may be frustrating to choose from two conflicting moral options. It is important to note that ethics is relative to the culture of a community. A circumstance that seems ethical for a community may sound unethical to another community. Ethics is also regulated by such social identities as nationality, faith, race, and social class. The utilitarian approach is a useful model that can be helpful in understanding the perception of ethics on the individual basis. The theory suggests that the moral option that a person opts for is that which brings maximum happiness and good consequences. All the same, an ethical choice depends on good or bad effects as perceived by a person. I have come across several ethical situations. An example was when I was to evaluate the action to take as I watched a woman stuffing a bottle of energy drink in her purse while I was shopping.
Considering Consequences of the Ethical Situation from Both Sides
I had to make an informed analysis of the best action to take through the consideration of the situation from both sides of the arguments (Timmons 16). Using the utilitarian moral theory, the most recommended action was the one that had good consequences in comparison to the available alternative actions. The woman decided to take the energy drink. It was important to ascertain the justification that the woman used to make the decision. Probably, she was feeling angry. It was human to allow the less privileged people access basics needs such as food. Preventing the woman from taking the drink contradicted the right to basic needs. Also, preventing the woman from accessing food implied the lack of care and sympathy towards human beings. While considering the good consequences of the right to food, the most ethical action was not to report the woman.
Another considerable decision was to report the lady. In the religious point of view, watching somebody steal but not reporting means participating in stealing. According to Timmons (25), religion dictates the moral guidance. I was not ready to be associated with a thief. My consciousness could not allow me to support the process. There is no "fair dishonest" acquisition of the property or commodity. It did not matter whether the woman was angry; the action implied that she was a thief. It was also important to consider the situation of the businessman. The energy drink was bought for resale at a...